Schwarz Becomes President and CEO of Nearly Century-Old Local Business
An active employee since 1987 and a co-owner of the company since 1993, Kathy Schwarz has been named by the Schwarz Insurance Board of Directors as the President and CEO of the organization. As an owner she will lead the 100-year-old company. Schwarz clients will experience additional opportunities and increased market share in Wisconsin.
Based in Prairie du Sac, Schwarz Insurance is a full-service independent insurance agency administering more than $100 million in premiums for business, home, auto, health, life, employee benefits and agribusiness. The agency is also a recognized leader in ACA compliance and education.
“I am so grateful that Kathy will be taking over leadership of the company,” shares retired second-generation owner and Kathy’s uncle, Bob Schwarz. “Kathy grew up in the business. She knows the insurance industry from the inside out and is a great salesperson because she truly cares about people and their success. I have absolute confidence in her!”
Like her grandfather, father and uncle before her, Schwarz considers everyone who works at Schwarz Insurance part of her extended family.
“I’ve always been proud of the fact that both employees and clients stay here forever,” Kathy says. “The incredible loyalty makes everyone here feel like family. I’ve known these people my whole life. There are people who have worked here since I was a teenager. The Schwarz family is much bigger than the people who share my last name.”
As a staple in the local community for over a century, Schwarz believes that those relationships are the backbone of what makes Schwarz Insurance successful.
As President and CEO of Schwarz Insurance, Kathy joins a small but elite group of women business owners and leaders in this country. According to AmericanProgress.org, women hold only 14.6 percent of executive officer roles and only 4.6 percent of Fortune 500 CEO positions despite earning almost 60 percent of both undergraduate and master’s degrees.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity to lead the family business,” shares Schwarz. “My father used to talk to everyone with the same level of respect. He unknowingly taught me a lot about self-worth and not thinking about the labels that might be placed on me. I prefer to look for what unique gifts and perspective each person brings to the table.”
As Schwarz examines new ways to meet the needs of the people and the businesses they serve, she hopes to grow the company and hire additional employees.
“My philosophy has always been to hire the smartest, most sincere people I can find,” says Schwarz. “I like to take the best of our corporate values to support adaptations to the business with modern ideas and technologies. I will never give up face-to-face communication, but we’ll look for additional ways to grow and stay relevant with customers of all ages. Like my grandfather, father and uncle, we will continue to evolve and mature as a business, but only in ways that serve our original purpose and tradition of taking care of people.”
Founded in Prairie du Sac in 1923, Schwarz Insurance is proud to be in its third generation of family ownership. The agency has grown into one of Wisconsin’s leading independent insurance agencies, administering more than $100 million in premiums. A full service independent insurance group, Schwarz Insurance offers solutions for your business, home, auto, agribusiness, life, and health.
For additional information, please visit www.schwarzins.com or contact Kathy Schwarz at (608) 644-8556.