How Haig Wright is taking Byars|Wright Insurance to the next level.

A company is only as good as its people. It's a phrase you'll hear repeated from company leaders worldwide, but many of those leaders will throw the quote around blindly, doing almost nothing to support its truth. Haig Wright II, however, is a leader who says it, believes it, and acts on it. Haig believes the strength of Byars|Wright Insurance undoubtedly lies within the company's people.

"Our biggest attribute is our company culture,” says Haig. “G.L. and Steve Byars established it before me, and I know it'll continue after I'm gone. Our culture is one of placing others before ourselves, taking care of our people so they can take the best care of those who require our services.”

Since assuming the role of company president in 2010, Haig has seen the company follow a positive trajectory. Haig and his team have grown the business from the original office in downtown Jasper to seven offices across the state of Alabama and a workforce of 90 team members. Along the way, the company has received awards like Business Alabama's "Best Companies to Work For" and Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America's "Best Practices Agency.”

In all they do, the team at Byars|Wright focuses on relationships. It’s a mantra that’s even instilled in the company motto. As a result, you'll see the phrase "Where Relationships Matter" displayed on nearly everything affiliated with Byars|Wright—from business cards to marketing deliverables, even in the art on office walls. Strong relationships are a core belief of Haig's and the driving force to take the company to the next level.

Haig also believes that one of the most powerful things he can do as a leader is to empower his team to make their own decisions and provide them with opportunities to grow. "I understand the responsibility that comes with having 90 individuals looking to me for guidance, and I seek to ensure they know that I am here for them,” he says.

You can find Haig regularly visiting each of Byars|Wright's offices for lunches, during which he meets new teammates, reconnects with familiar faces, and fully invests in conversations that help him learn to more about his employees. In addition, Haig invites the entire Byars|Wright team and their families each fall to his farm in Pineywoods for the company's fall festival. These are just two of the ways he reassures his employees that he genuinely cares for them and wants what is best for them.

Finally, Haig has brought in a core group of young professionals who support his vision. They bring vitality and fresh ideas to the insurance business. "When I think about the future of Byars|Wright, I feel confident that our culture will be maintained. As the company grows older, the team is getting younger!" Haig laughs. "But that's a great thing. That is energy, creativity, and new ideas that will help the company continue to be a place people turn to for their needs, and I couldn't be prouder of that." 78