Independent insurance broker Palmer & Cay has re-formed operations in Dallas, Texas with the naming of Howard H. McClure III as president of Palmer & Cay of Texas, LLC. The move is creating a déjà vu effect for industry observers and the Dallas business community alike as both McClure and Palmer & Cay are familiar names in Texas.

Georgia-based Palmer & Cay first entered the Texas market in 1999 and quickly gained a reputation for its technical skills and emphasis on client service. Fate plays no favorites as the 137 year old national firm was acquired by financial services giant Wachovia Corporation in 2005 and the name subsequently disappeared from the scene.

In 2009, Palmer & Cay was relaunched by former company president and fifth generation leader Jack E. Cay IV to revive the emphasis on technical expertise, industry specialization and intensive client service which fueled the original company’s success for more than century. Today, the privately-held firm operates offices in Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston and now Dallas. McClure, a Dallas native and 30 year veteran of the insurance industry, is a highly respected insurance professional and established leader in the Dallas business community. His new role with Palmer & Cay adds to the déjà vu effect as McClure served as president of the firm’s Texas operations from 2002 to
2005 during which time operations grew to $10 million in annual revenue and a staff of 60 employees, making it one of the largest brokerage offices in Dallas at that time.

Before making his move back to the entrepreneurial world of the independent insurance broker, McClure served as the regional managing director since 2012 for Wells Fargo Insurance’s Southwest region which included eight offices throughout Texas, Colorado and New Mexico and a team of more than 250 insurance professionals. Prior to that position, McClure served as the regional managing director for Wells Fargo Insurance in NC and SC for more than five years.

Palmer & Cay provides property and casualty insurance brokerage services and risk management consulting services to middle market and large corporate clients throughout the United States, including clients with international operations. The firm also provides concierge-level personal insurance services for the high net worth/family office sector which will play a key role in attracting new clients in the Texas market.

In conjunction with its expansion to Dallas, Palmer & Cay is adding employee benefits consulting to its service offering.

“I’m excited to once again focus on recruiting top talent, building teams and solving client problems. Our strategy in the property-casualty insurance area is to specialize in key industry sectors including private equity, real estate, hospitality, restaurant, and construction. In addition, we will strongly emphasize employee benefit services as the Affordable Care Act has created a very challenging environment for organizations of every description and the demand is growing,” McClure said.

McClure plans to recruit 10-12 insurance professionals in the next year to serve as the foundation for the new operations and projects the Dallas office will employ more than 40 professionals in three years. From the firm’s corporate office in Atlanta, Palmer & Cay president Jack Cay sees the Dallas expansion as a perfect move for his growing company. “We are very pleased with Howard’s decision to join our firm. His experience in growing, building and leading teams across a range of disciplines will be a major asset as we recruit talent, grow our capabilities and expand to new markets. Howard’s reputation in the industry is truly stellar and I look forward to working with Howard again,” stated Cay.

In addition to his responsibilities for growing the Palmer & Cay’s western operations, McClure will also serve on the firm’s executive committee to help guide the firm’s national expansion strategy and broaden its service capabilities.
Palmer & Cay’s new Dallas office is déjà vu in more ways than one for McClure. In addition to reconnecting and re-launching, the firm’s new office is located in the Park Cities, the same neighborhood in which McClure grew up, attended Highland Park high school and currently lives today. McClure is excited to partner with clients and reestablish the client-focused culture which forms the hallmark of Palmer & Cay.