About BPJ
History of Barker Phillips Jackson
Springfield, Missouri has served as the headquarters for Barker Phillips Jackson (BPJ) since 1960. Since then, we' ve added satellite locations in Rolla and West Plains.
Following is a bit of BPJ history. It' s easy to see how growth through acquisition has resulted in our reputation as one of the largest, most influential in the industry.
1960
Milton Phillips and Paul Barker formed Barker-Phillips.
1975
Barker-Phillips purchased the E.W. Phillips Agency.
1986
Barker-Phillips Insurers and Consolidated Jackson Corporation (est. 1934) merged to form Barker Phillips Jackson, Inc., the largest independent broker in southern Missouri. Richard Jackson became President/CEO.
1987
Barker Phillips Jackson, Inc. became an employee-owned company through the implementation of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
1989
Three east-central Missouri agencies merged and were simultaneously acquired by Barker Phillips Jackson, Inc. (The Wisdom Insurance Agency, The Golden Rule Agency of Rolla, and Wisdom, Your Insurance Man of St. Robert).
1990
A separate corporation, Barker Phillips Jackson Financial Corporation, was formed for the purpose of selling life, health, and associated financial products through banking institutions.
1991
Naught and Naught Insurance of Rolla merged into the already existing Rolla branch.
2002
Richard Jackson retired from Barker Phillips Jackson.
2003
Tom Montileone joined BPJ as President and Chief Operating Officer. Two years later, he became the President and CEO.
2005
Group Benefits, a long-standing agency in Springfield, Missouri, owned by Dallis Higginbotham, merged with Barker Phillips Jackson.
2008
BPJ headquarters moved from its long-time home on East Sunshine Street to a new location at 1637 South Enterprise Avenue in Springfield.
2010
Bos Insurance, a long-standing agency in Republic, Missouri, owned by Henry Boss, merged with Barker Phillips Jackson.
2011
BPJ purchased a Property & Casualty book of business from Jenkins & Associates located in Springfield, Mo.
2012
BPJ purchased the Nichols Agency book of business located in West Plains, Mo.
2014 (February)
BPJ becomes a Member Firm in Benefit Advisors Network (BAN). BAN includes over 65 Independent employee benefit advisor firms, providing tools, resources and products experience of benefits professionals nationwide.
2014 (June)
West Plains Insurance agency located in West Plains, Missouri, owned by Ron Murray, merged with Barker Phillips Jackson.
2015 (May)
Keystone Insurers Group, one of the nationŐs largest property and casualty insurance brokers, welcomed Barker Phillips Jackson (BPJ) as its second Franchise Partner in Missouri.
2015 (June)
BPJ merges with Employee Benefits Design LLC of Springfield, Mo. A merger of 4 producers and support staff, headed up by EBD managing partners, Dan Ruggeri and Dan Burns.