The Path to Success

Through his career at Byars|Wright Insurance, Gabe Clement finds purpose, prosperity, and a place to call home.

Words by Anna Lee Vaughn | Images by Eleanor Stenner Photography

Poet Robert Burns once said that the “best laid plans of Mice and Men go oft awry,” but sometimes, remarkable things happen when there is no plan.

Such is the case for Gabe Clement of Byars|Wright Insurance. Growing up, Gabe never gave much thought to selling insurance. In fact, his career happened unexpectedly—almost without his even thinking about it.

Gabe grew up in the community of Boldo, Alabama. His dad owned a construction company, and he and his brother attended Jasper City Schools. Gabe was involved in sports until he graduated from Walker High School in 2009. Continuing at Auburn University, Gabe majored in Agricultural Business and Economics.

But after his junior year, he had no plans for his career.

“I had just finished the semester, and I had no resume experience to secure a job before graduation,” recalls Gabe. “The college put out a couple of summer internships, and I decided to apply for one.”

Gabe landed an internship for Nationwide Agribusiness as a Loss Control Representative for North Alabama. He prepared to move home for the summer, but his parents no longer lived in Jasper.

“I was at a friend’s house in Jasper over the break and talking about my insurance internship. He asked where I was going to stay,” says Gabe.

It was Haig Wright II, CEO of Byars|Wright and a close family friend. Through this conversation, Gabe was offered a place to stay for the summer and an office at Byars|Wright Insurance.

Later that summer, Haig let him know there was a job waiting for him after graduation.

Gabe took Haig up on the offer and was soon welcomed into the Byars|Wright family. He began in sales as a broker, focusing on the construction industry.

Since then, he has built one of the largest construction books of business in the agency. He is currently serving on ABC of Alabama’s Board of Directors and received an award from the Alabama Associated General Contractors of America for Top 40 Under 40. He also began mentoring new producers, and in 2021 became the Sales Team Manager.

Still leading the sales team and actively managing his own customers, Gabe was recently promoted to President of Byars|Wright in 2023 after becoming part-owner of the agency in 2022.

“We are confident that Gabe is the right person to step into this role,” said Haig. “Gabe’s ability to lead is one of many strengths that propelled him to this level. He is forward-thinking and has shown great commitment to our team, clients, and the insurance industry.”

Gabe attributes his success to his parents’ examples.

“I graduated high school during the recession, and my dad’s construction company took a big hit. But his success inspired me and led me to where I am now, and I’m very thankful for that,” he says.

Since Gabe began working at Byars|Wright, the company has doubled in size. And though it continues to grow rapidly, Gabe says that feeling of home remains.

Ultimately, Gabe believes he wouldn’t be where he is today without the help of those around him—his work family and his actual family—and without divine providence.

“Sometimes I had no plan, or my plan didn’t work out, but I wouldn’t change a thing because it led me to my job now. The future of Byars|Wright is bright, and I’m blessed to a part of it” he says. 78