The Big I Virginia Summer 2020

Industry Profile
Learn More About Jackson
Sumner & Associates
Jackson Sumner & Associates (JSA) is more than cool
ads, water bottles, and filming at convention. They
have some of the best people in the industry – that
along with the insane amount of technology they use, sets
them apart from others. They are huge supporters of IIAV
and we are so grateful for them. Continue reading to learn
more about what makes Jackson Sumner & Associates,
J S A with some insights from Brantley Saunders, JSA
Director of Marketing, and Danielle Wade, CPCU, CIC,
JSA President and CEO.
How long has your company been in business?
We were founded in 1981 and recently celebrated our 39th
anniversary.
When someone is “in the zone,” what are they
normally doing?
When we’re “in the zone” our underwriters are being
creative with how to provide the best coverage for the
most affordable price. It’s coming up with a solution to an
agent’s (or insured’s) problem quickly.
How do employees measure the impact of their work?
Based on if they were able to find a good solution for a risk
they have been presented with. And by good solution, I
mean a policy that would cover the insured’s exposure and
be able to set them back whole if they had a loss.
Where does the company expect to be in the next
three to five years?
In 3-5 years, JSA will be fundamentally the same as today:
an independent E&S Broker focused on superior customer
service, strong underwriting and ease of doing business.
We will have expanded markets and additional product
offerings so we can be a one-stop shop for all agents in
VA for any E&S needs. Our investments in technology will
only enhance the experience agents have when working
with JSA.
Are there any company-sponsored
activities to facilitate strong culture
among employees?
The JSA team really is like a family and
we love to celebrate and have fun as
evidenced by our annual Halloween
costume contest, Christmas party, and
charity work throughout the year.
We know you have an impressive office, what is
your favorite part?
My favorite part is our people! Our office is just a building,
but it’s the people that make it a great place to be! We
like to joke that our staff is as diverse and unique as the
risks we write, but that’s what makes working us with so
much fun. Everyone’s differences make us a fun, energetic
group. There’s never a dull day in our office.
How do you uphold your mission statement in the
work you do?
In everything we do, we’re guided by our mission to respect and
care for all human connections we make: company or agent,
friend or stranger. That means always doing things the right
way: strong underwriting, treating our employees like family and
providing superior customer service to our valued agent partners.
Why is JSA different?
In the words of our founder, Wayne Sumner: It is as important
to have “the right attitude” as it is to have the right products.
We strive to make it a pleasure to do business with us and
we hope our efforts are succeeding. We truly believe that
“we are in business because of you,” and we shall never
forget that.
18 THE BIG VIRGINIA SUMMER 2020