100 YEARS OF KAIA
Goodpasture Agency in December of 1986 . After graduating from the University of Kansas , Robert T . Fee ( Bob ) joined his father and brother in the agency , also maintaining a portion of the ownership . With Bob ’ s association , the agency expanded its employee benefits , life , health , and financial services department . On July 1 , 1989 , the Fee Insurance Agency , Inc ., purchased Security , Inc ., an agency owned by Frank Jackson . With the purchase , the agency had outgrown its building at 30 West Sherman . On August 1 , 1989 , Fee Insurance , Inc . moved next door to the seventh floor of the National Bank .
In March of 1990 , the agency purchased the V . E Chesky Agency in Halstead . A new office was opened , and Victor E . Checksy , Jr ., remained on the staff to help manage this office . Chesky retired in 1993 , and in January of 1994 , the Fees sold 50 percent of this agency to Larry K . Williams of Halstead . Grant Williams managed the new Williams Agency , Inc ., and Fee Insurance Agency , Inc . maintained 50 percent ownership . In April of 1990 , Brad Rayl joined this agency and also retained ownership .
In September 1990 , the Fee Agency merged with one of Hutchinson ’ s oldest insurance agencies , McNaghten Insurance Company , Inc ., to form Fee McNaghten Insurance . The merger left the Fees with majority ownership of the agency . John D . Coleman went over with the merger from McNaghten . In September 1994 , the Fees purchased Coleman ’ s interest in the agency and retained him for his expertise .
In April 1994 , the agency hired Joe Heeney from Olathe to head up the agency ’ s life , health , securities , and employee benefits section . This position continues to grow .
In 1995 , Fee-McNaghten purchased Jardine Insurance Brokers-Hutchinson Agency . The old Kline Insurance agency had been in business in Hutchinson for over 60 years . The acquisition was the largest in terms of premium volume that the Fees had purchased to date .
Over the years , the company continued to grow by merging with other local and regional companies . It has also expanded by opening new offices outside the city ’ s boundaries - even starting an agency in McPherson from scratch . They then opened an agency in Salina and Wichita . They have an employee in Olathe who services rural hospitals throughout Kansas .
Fee Insurance Group is proud of its commitment to quality service . It has grown and prospered over the years and had no intentions of stopping or resting . Its success depends on the efforts of every member of its outstanding agency team .
ROBERT T . FEE ( BOB ) Robert T . Fee ( Bob ) was elected president of the association in 2008 . Thirtythree years after his father , James W . Fee , was president in 1975 . Bob ’ s father told him he would get more out of his involvement with the Big “ I ” at both the state and national levels than he would ever put in . Bob was thrilled to continue working on many of the same goals and ideas that his father had worked .
Bob served on the national Trusted Choice Committee , becoming chairman of the committee in 2009 . Bob had been recognized as a leader that could shape and direct the necessary changes to push Trusted Choice over the top . He then served on the Big “ I ” Government Affairs Committee while also representing Kansas as the state director for three years . In 2012 , Bob received the KIA / 1752 Club Agent of Merit Award .
In April of 2015 , Bob was elected to serve as part of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America ( IIA & B ). In 2020 , Bob was scheduled to be inaugurated as president of IIA & B , but the COVID-19 pandemic caused the inauguration to be rescheduled to 2021 .
Bob is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Art in political science . He was also a graduate of the USF & G School of Insurance . He joined his family business in 1987 . The company was founded in 1883 on the premise that families and businesses deserve a trusted partner to navigate a risk-laden world . They have been an independent , familyowned company for over 135 years .
Bob is the president and chief operating officer of Fee Insurance Group in Hutchinson . He ’ s very active in community service . The activities included the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center Foundation Board , Delos Smith Foundation Board , Baker Memorial Trust Board , First Presbyterian Church Elder , New Beginning Board Member , and NJCCA National Basketball Assistant Director . He has also served as board chairman for the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce , United Way , Red Cross , YMCA , and the Hutchinson Town Club .
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