When Charlie Gibson left the U.S. Navy in 1972, he joined his father's insurance agency, Deland, Gibson Insurance, a business that had been in his family since 1900. Charlies great uncle, Charles E. Deland, had started the business, and was joined by Charlies father, George W. Gibson, in 1935. At the time when Charlie came to work as an agent and producer, the agency had 12 employees and wrote an estimated $2.5 million in insurance premiums.

Today, as one of the top 15 independent insurance agencies in Massachusetts, Deland, Gibson Insurance Associates, Inc. employs 48 sales producers, customer service representatives and support staff and writes over $35 million in premiums.

As president for 25 years, Charlie Gibson has overseen the agencys tremendous growth. He attributes the companys success to people: both customers and employees. The agency was founded to provide insurance services to family and friends. And today, rather than specialize in certain industries or coverage, Charlie proudly explains that the agency is a generalist.

Our sales producers write insurance that they know. Sure, over the years weve gained experience insuring particular industries like broadcasting and transportation, but our sales producers are free to write any type of business or personal insurance, Charlie explains. Our business has been built on relationships.

Relationships have been the cornerstone for Deland, Gibsons success, particularly with its employees. Employees average over 20 years of insurance of experience and combined have over 1,200 insurance years of expertise.