Hickok & Boardman Insurance Named Outstanding Business of the Year

vermont biz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of the prestigious and coveted Business of the Year Awards for 2022 at the Vermont State Economic Conference at the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Monday, January 30th. This year’s winner is Hickok & Boardman Insurance Group.

In 1821, William A. Griswold and Timothy L. Follett founded Griswold & Follett Insurance Agency, the first Vermont division of the Aetna Insurance Company. Since then, their small insurance agency has survived and thrived, becoming known today as the Hickok & Boardman Insurance Group. Celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2021, Hickok & Boardman is Vermont’s leading property and casualty insurance broker, serving both individual and corporate clients. Hickok & Boardman’s mission and values ​​have been the driving force behind his two centuries of continued business and excellence in growth, prosperity and serving its employees and communities.

At the core of its success is Hickok & Boardman’s commitment to the community, giving back through both time and treasure. The list of financial contributions is numerous, but the business, with the help of his partners and employees’ dedication to the campaign, celebrated their 200th anniversary with the annual United Way, whose campaign can’t be beat. is not.^th The company exceeded its goal by more than 50% and raised a total of $310,000. The annual “Here When You Need Us” campaign, developed in 2014, is another example of a philanthropic opportunity for employees to get involved and dedicate their time to organizations in need of volunteerism. The company hosts several community service campaigns throughout the year, and more than 25 employees volunteer for public organizations throughout the year, more than half of whom are in leadership positions.

Another common thread woven into our 200-year-old corporate structure is the dedication and dedication of our employees. In particular, we live by our corporate values: Exceeding expectations and doing the right thing with a sense of urgency. This culture and the top-notch customer service his employees provide is evidenced by his being recognized as one of Vermont’s Best Places to Work from 2018 to 2022. It helps you meet the ever-changing needs and requirements of your employees and clients. The institution runs several programs to enhance employee well-being and satisfaction, including award-winning wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, college debt repayment plans, and a variety of fun regular activities to keep the company in-house. We are building relationships with everyone.

Hickok & Boardman also understands that caring for the environment and natural resources is an important factor in supporting our communities and improving our workplace culture. While the insurance industry generally has less environmental impact as a result of its business model, H&B participates in several energy and resource conservation activities. Some initiatives include installing trash cans at each office workstation, a hybrid work-from-home/remote work program to help limit employee vehicle gas consumption, building exterior updates, and climate control measures. Improvements include a significant reduction in paper. Printing while migrating to virtual services.

Hickok & Boardman has faced many challenges over two centuries. The company celebrated its 200th anniversary by honoring the history of the generations that have survived and led the organization through two world wars, several economic downturns and the Spanish Flu pandemic that occurred almost exactly 100 years ago. rice field. H&B celebrates its 200th anniversary and his second year of the coronavirus pandemic. H&B celebrated with the Vermont community that is an integral part of its mission and values. Despite the challenges that communities and insurance agents continue to experience, overcome and face, they look to the next century of service as they remember the humble beginnings of Griswold and Follett’s emerging insurance agents. I’m here.

“Hickok & Boardman Insurance Group is very pleased to receive this prestigious Business of the Year award presented by Vermont Biz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. This honor is also a recognition of those who came before us at H&B.For more than 200 years, we have We have built a culture of service to others, worked hard for the benefit of our clients, and continued to innovate, blending high-tech service capabilities with homely, personal service as we move into our third century. Thank you again to Vermont Biz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce for their sponsorship,” said Paul Plunkett, CEO and President.

“Over the years, Vermont Chamber and VermontBiz have presented the Deane C. Davis Outstanding Business of the Year award. We look forward to establishing a new tradition of presenting this annual award each year at the Economic Conference,” said Betsy Bishop, president of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.

“This annual award honors Vermont businesses that demonstrate an outstanding history of sustained growth while keenly recognizing what makes Vermont unique.The award was created 33 years ago. I was. vermont biz And the Vermont Chamber of Commerce recognizes and rewards the state’s best businesses,” said John Boutin, publisher of VermontBiz.

“The list of past winners (see below) is a virtual persona of Vermont businesses. ,” said Betsy Bishop, president of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.

vermont biz The state’s most respected business publication. Since 1972, vermont biz It publishes statewide business news, economic and political news and commentary, business and personal profiles, data, analysis and statistics.

Vermont Chamber of Commerce teeth tIt is the largest private, not-for-profit business organization statewide and represents all sectors of the state’s business community. Its mission is to create an economic environment conducive to growing businesses and maintaining quality of life in Vermont.

Burlington, Virginia (January 30, 2023) – vermont biz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce