BDI marking a century
Published: 05/06/2011 by Bob Thaxton
SEGUIN - One of the city's most durable businesses celebrated its 100th anniversary on Thursday.
BDI, formerly Barnard-Donegan Insurance, commemorated its centennial by presenting $100,000 in gifts to 18 non-profit organizations and charities in Guadalupe, Comal, Wilson and Bexar counties.
"We think one of the most important parts of our mission as a local, independent insurance agency is to be a part of our communities and to give back to those communities," said Bruce Barnard, president and chief executive officer of BDI.
The recipients of checks from BDI are described as strengthening the communities they serve by offering services that protect children, feed the hungry, give refuge to the abused, provide faith, support education and more.
Before handing out checks, Barnard introduced Emmett Donegan and Emmett's sons, Scott and Craig. Emmett's uncle, Hugh Donegan, founded Donegan Insurance in 1911.
Barnard recounted how Emmett, who expected to pursue a career in banking, became involved in the insurance industry. One day in 1958, Emmett's father, Charles Henry Donegan, dropped a piece of paper on Emmett's desk at the bank. It was a note indicating Emmett was borrowing $18,000.
"Sign it. You now own an insurance agency," his father said.
Fifteen years later, in 1973, Barnard graduated from college and moved back to his hometown of Schertz. His wife found a teaching job with the Harlandale ISD, and Bruce's job search took him to Tri-City Insurance in Universal City. Tri-City was owned by Donegan Insurance of Seguin.
"Emmett offered me a job," Barnard told the crowd assembled outside BDI's headquarters.
After two years with Tri-City Insurance, Barnard decided he should be running the company.
"I was pretty young and arrogant at the time," he says.
For an investment of $24,000, he bought Tri-City Insurance in 1975.
Almost two decades later, an even greater opportunity came along.
"In 1993, Emmett gave me the opportunity to buy the agency." The company became Barnard-Donegan Insurance in 1993, and now, along with the celebration of its 100th anniversary, the name is being shortened to BDI.
"We're very proud of our heritage and are excited to celebrate 100 years," Barnard said. "We've been blessed with loyalty from clients that range from 20 to 40 to 50 years. We believe that's because we've become partners with our clients and our communities."
BDI is described as a full-service, independent insurance agency with branches in Seguin, New Braunfels, Gonzales, La Vernia and Universal City. The agency serves more than 8,500 individuals and 2,500 businesses with all kinds of personal insurance such as health, life, homeowners, auto and a full range of commercial insurance.
Staffed by 38 employees, BDI takes an active role in the communities it serves.
After handing out the checks to representatives of the 18 recipient organizations, Barnard invited all to stay for a barbecue dinner served under a large tent adjacent to the company's building, a local landmark on the northwest corner of the intersection of Camp and Mountain streets.
