Donteako E . Wilson
Chairman , Managing Member and Founder , Capital Insurance Group
SAMANTHA CART TRACY A . TOLER PHOTOGRAPHY
As a student at Capital High School , Donteako Wilson played cornerback on the football team standing 5 foot , 6 inches tall . While having to guard players up to a foot taller than him was daunting , it taught him early on that he loved a good challenge .
Wilson has been facing and overcoming challenges throughout his entire professional career , including breaking into the insurance industry as a minority .
“ I have always been able to identify who is in my corner and who is not , and I have always enjoyed proving people wrong ,” says Wilson , chairman , managing member and founder of Capital Insurance Group ( CIG ). “ Being a minority in an industry without many allowed me to stand out . It was not a negative but a positive and a way for me to climb my way to the top .”
Today , Wilson oversees CIG ’ s Charleston , WV , and Columbus , Ohio , offices and specializes in home , automotive , business and life insurance . Under his leadership , he has helped CIG grow to include 15 offices in 12 states and become a regional powerhouse in the insurance industry . In the future , he hopes to expand CIG to 25 states and diversify into other sectors .
“ I love building our brand ,” he says . “ I still get excited when our phone rings .
I love seeing my staff grow in their careers . None of our current employees had an insurance license when I hired them . I like a blank canvas to work with , and it ’ s exciting to see them learn .”
Growing up on Charleston ’ s West Side , Wilson enjoyed a childhood surrounded by both sides of his family .
“ My neighborhood showed me all of the skill sets necessary to build my businesses ,” he says . “ I would not change one thing about where I grew up and the people I grew up with . The West Side made me mentally tough and taught me many valuable life lessons .”
While he didn ’ t have a specific career goal growing up , he knew without a doubt he wanted to be one thing : successful . It was watching his grandfather , Don , change careers later in life that inspired him to consider insurance .
“ My grandfather was a retired teacher who became a successful real estate agent ,” he recalls . “ I saw the freedom he had and admired that . I thought he was so cool , wearing suits , making his own schedule , networking and meeting so many people , and I wanted to be just like him . I wear his name proudly , and one day I hope to live up to the legacy he created here in Kanawha County .”
Part of that legacy includes service to others . When he is not traveling between offices , Wilson takes the time to serve as a board member for African American Philanthropy in Action , Keep Your Faith Corporation , Charleston Montessori School , Goodwill Industries of Kanawha Valley , Kanawha Hospice Care , Kanawha County Public Library and Charleston Main Streets .
“ The Earl Wilson Community Thanksgiving Dinner is named after my late father , and it is my number one community service effort ,” he says . “ The Keep Your Faith Corporation hosts this event , and it ’ s important to me because it ’ s all about giving back what we have been blessed with . You never know who is watching you and who you might inspire to give back . Creating a legacy for my children , Gabrielle and Jonathan , is my life ’ s mission .”
Wilson is dedicated to the Mountain State and its people , and he hopes his successes inspire others to realize anything is possible here .
“ I want to show the country that West Virginia has a lot to offer ,” he says . “ It is an amazing place that has provided me with a unique opportunity to start on the West Side of Charleston and develop into an industry leader on a national scale . The best and brightest can thrive in West Virginia at a high level .” •
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ?
CARTOON CHARACTER : Ninja Turtles
SPORT TEAM : Buffalo Bills
BOOK : “ The Total Money Makeover ”
SMELL : Armani cologne
Wilson at the recently renovated interior of the Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church , located in Huntington , WV .
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