The 2018 Annual Update Letter was from Russ Beyer following Talanton Insurance Agency’s acquisition of Beycor. This was an exciting time and a fun reflection to share in our archive of Annual Update Letters.
Hello, Pam and I hope you’ve had a great year! It’s been a wonderful year for the Beyer family and for Beycor Insurance. Many of you have been asking for an update, so I thought this would be a great time to mix some personal and business updates in a holiday letter.
On the business front, you probably remember my business partners, Clebe and Gary. A few years ago, Clebe, who is my age, sold his portion of the business and moved on to the next chapter in his life. Gary and I kept going strong, like always, but continuously found ourselves looking for another young, professional partner who could keep us sharp and take Beycor to the next level. We didn’t just want someone our age–we wanted someone who would be here for you over the next 30 years like we were for the last 30.
As I watched my grandsons get bigger I was reminded of the time I missed with my own family as they were growing up. By no means am I ready to retire, but while I’m still active and healthy, I decided to put some feelers out for someone who could come in and replace what Clebe did for us, while also moving the business forward for you!
After meeting with several folks from around the country, I received a call from our trusted state trade association, the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Arizona. They introduced me to a young man named Matt, who they thought was “just like me,” but thirty years younger and thirty years more energetic. Matt and I met in early 2018 and decided to partner under the Talanton brand, with him as the principal. I’m not going anywhere; in fact, I may be working more than ever before, but I’m also working closely with Matt to take some work off of my plate, get him up to speed on the “Beycor Way,” and allow him to become familiar with our incredible clients. He’s now handling all of the back-office services and slowly meeting with clients as the opportunity fits. Gary and I are still on the front lines and behind the scenes, but now we also have Matt with us, 30 years younger and well trained. He came with extensive experience and training, which has proven hugely valuable in how we protect and serve you. It was a great introduction by our trusted association, for which I am grateful and I’m sure you will be too. Matt has a young family with a wife and two kids. He’s a 2004 ASU WP Carey School of Business Finance graduate, and he now sits on our state trade association’s board and is receiving some national attention as a result of our partnership! If you haven’t met him yet, his name is Matt Snowden, and he’ll be in touch with you in the coming months to introduce himself. Feel free to drop him an email at matt@GoTalanton.com or call him at 480-777-0080. He’s very responsive, as we’ve always been here at Beycor Insurance.
On the personal front, I’m still doing what I do: spending time with my friends (some call them clients, but I call you friends), working on my classic cars, and taking a little extra time with our grandsons. I was able to check something off my bucket list this year with a driving tour of Historic Route 66. It was great, and I’d love to share the stories with you sometime. Pam and I went on an Alaskan cruise and we’re planning a trip to Cuba in the spring; another bucket list item. Her passion is travel and she always has our next trip on the calendar! I also bought fishing poles for my grandsons and have introduced him to the sport, which is a joy. They are my legacy and I treasure every moment with them. I look forward to chatting with you soon. Merry Christmas and happy New Year!