The staff at Chicoine Insurance Agency are ready to meet your insurance needs. Pictured from left are: Terrell Benton – Licensed Agent, Shannon Chicoine – Licensed Agent/Owner and Jeff Chicoine – Agent/Owner. CLAIRE VYVLECKA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

Buzz Advertiser, Chicoine Insurance Agency continues to build its name by serving the community both in and out of the office. Jeff and Shannon Chicoine take pride in building a business that works in the best interest of the customer.

“We want to make sure people understand that when they come to us, they’re not a number on the board, they’re a customer,” Jeff said.

Since becoming an independent agency in 2021, Chicoine Insurance Agency now offers additional services to help more people with different budgets and liabilities.

“We can say yes! When you walk in the door, we can actually try to find the best rate while still trying to give you the best coverage and value,” Jeff said.

Since its grand opening on November 19, 2021, Chicoine Insurance Agency has grown and expanded its business to offer a wider range of services.

“We now have over 50 carriers, so the options are endless,” said Shannon.

Chicoine Insurance Agency was also pleased to add longtime colleague and friend Terrell Benton as a licensed agent.

Chicoine Insurance Agency offers a variety of insurance services including auto, home, farm, business and life insurance to meet the different, unique needs of each of their clients.

“Life insurance is our passion because of the people and the whole emotional aspect,” said Shannon.

Shannon explained that in addition to being one of their many services, Chicoine Insurance Agency is also very passionate about educating the public about the importance of life insurance.

“We want to educate people about life insurance. We figure out what their budget is, figure out what their liabilities are, and see where we can meet in the middle to give them the most protection possible,” Jeff said.

Chicoine Insurance Agency established a strong social media presence to promote and educate the community about their services. Shannon explained how she took charge of her social media engagement to ensure she reached as many people as possible.

“If we can put a smile on their face and sometimes educate them a little bit about insurance, that’s important to us,” Shannon said.

The Chicoine Insurance Agency has already made huge strides since its grand opening, and Jeff explained that their goal is to only go up from here.

“As for the office, we hope that as we grow, we’ll be able to add more staff while staying local,” Jeff said.

In addition to growing their business, Chicoine Insurance Agency has shown how much they value our community through various events welcoming other local businesses.

Jeff is the current President of the Pleasanton Lions Club and has been a member for over 25 years. His other community club involvements include: Director of the Jourdanton Chamber of Commerce, Atascosa County Crime Stoppers, President of the Jourdanton 1909 Association and a member of the City of Jourdanton Planning and Land Use Committee.

Jeff and Shannon Chicoine took a leading role in rekindling the community-wide celebration of Jourdanton 1909 Founders’ Day.

“Everyone has great ideas, but nobody knew where to start. So we actually started this group and said, you know, let’s just make this happen,” Jeff said.

The Jourdanton 1909 Founder’s Day event took place on May 21, and the turnout exceeded what Jeff and Shannon had expected.

“It couldn’t have gone better. For our first lap, I’m just so proud of it. I am so proud. Proud of all the community support that has come out and been a part of it,” said Shannon.

For the Chicoine Insurance Agency, their social commitment does not end here. Shannon was thrilled to announce her next big local event.

“We went to the City Council meeting in June and got accepted to Small Business Saturday in November,” Shannon said.

Similar to Small Business Saturday last November, this event invites local vendors, food and entertainment to come together to celebrate small businesses and sell their products.

“We want our city to grow, and so does the entire Atascosa community,” Jeff said.

Chicoine Insurance Agency is here for the entire community, including the animals. Shannon explained that they are a proud sponsor of Animal Allies.

“We accept cash donations, dog beds, cat crates, cat toys, dog toys and leashes,” Shannon said.

Chicoine Insurance Agency continues to be an active member of the community and looks forward to growing and expanding their business to meet each client’s unique needs.

Chicoine Insurance Agency can be found on Facebook @chicoineinsuranceagency and Instagram @chicoineinsurance.

The Chicoine Insurance Agency is located at 1306 Simmons Avenue in Jourdanton. Their office is open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 12pm and from 1pm to 5pm. Jeff and Shannon are always available to give you a free quote when you call (830) 769-4300.

The USC Marshall School of Business is poised to play a prominent role in educating and training the next generation of risk management professionals thanks to a transformative gift from Peter Arkley, President of Alliant Retail Property and Casualty.

“Thanks to the generous gift of Peter Arkley, our students will to become leaders in data-driven risk analysis, and they will carry this much-needed expertise throughout their careers,” said USC President Carol L. Folt. “By incorporating grants, graduate grants and faculty grants into his philanthropy, Peter strengthens the foundation of one of our nation’s finest risk management programs and helps generations of students and professionals develop the skills and knowledge necessary to promote integrity and minimize risk in your business requires daily work.”

With his endorsement, Arkley underscores the critical role risk management professionals play in organizations across the economy. The risk management program, housed at the Marshall School, is open to all USC students, and more than 25 different majors are currently represented in the minor program. It is important to Arkley to provide talented students with the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the field of risk management.

“I have enjoyed an incredibly fulfilling career working with extraordinary people and feel fortunate to be able to give back to the industry that has given me so much,” said Arkley. “I encourage, even challenge, everyone to consider a career in insurance. The doors to the insurance universe are wide open.”

“I am honored that the Arkley Institute for Risk Management will expand the education, training, mentoring and internship opportunities for USC students that will lead not only to good full-time jobs, but to excellent life-changing risk management careers.”

“I am grateful for the dedication and collaboration of the Advisory Board members who have supported the program over the past four years,” he said. “I look forward to continuing to work with them as we build the Institute.”

Arkley’s gift will increase opportunities for students by providing scholarships and graduate fellowships. The gift will help attract leading scholars and establish two Peter Arkley Faculty Chairs in Risk Management and the Peter Arkley Executive Director of Risk Management at USC Marshall.

“Peter’s generous gift is truly visionary,” said Marshall Dean Geoff Garrett. “As an industry veteran, he sees a future where risk assessment and management drives strategy for the world’s most important organizations. His endorsement of our program is an incredible vote of confidence in Marshall’s ability to educate the future leaders in this important area.”

The Arkley Institute for Risk Management will position USC Marshall as one of our nation’s top risk management programs while establishing it as the leading risk management program on the West Coast, Garrett said.

About risk management

Risk management is an important sector of the economy with increasing importance and relevance, and fundamental to any industry – it identifies and assesses risks and then develops controls and insurance solutions to minimize their impact. According to industry forecasts, almost half of the insurance industry workforce is expected to retire within the next 15 years. These risk managers need to be replaced by new professionals with new skills like data analysis.

“In recent years, COVID, supply chain challenges and geopolitical uncertainties have pushed risk management to the forefront of decision-making at the highest levels of organizations. And at the same time, we have brought risk management professionals to play an increasingly important role in these organizations,” said Kristen Jaconi, associate professor of accounting practice and director of the risk management program. “With the support of two faculty chairs and a graduate fellowship program, Peter’s generous gift will enable the USC Marshall School of Business to assume a prominent role in applied research and thought leadership in risk management.”

About Peter Arkley

Peter Arkley is President, Retail Property and Casualty, Alliant Insurance Services Inc., where he is responsible for the development and execution of retail insurance business strategy nationwide. Prior to his current position, Mr. Arkley was President of the Alliant Specialty Group, which comprised 14 specialty insurance companies including agribusiness, aviation, construction, energy, executive risk, financial institutions, healthcare, hospitality, marine, mergers and acquisitions, public utilities, real estate, surety and trade credits. Alliant is one of the largest private insurance brokerage firms and the eighth largest in the world. Before joining Alliant, Mr. Arkley was Chairman and CEO of AON Global Construction Group. He previously held senior positions at Marsh & McLennan and Johnson & Higgins.