Dan Gallagher, a founding partner of Connor & Gallagher, talks about what he contributes most to Connor & Gallagher's success, what it meant to be inducted into Illinois State’s College of Business Hall of Fame in the same class as his founding partner and college classmate Tom Connor, and whether or not he is cheering for the Cubs.
18 years ago you and Tom started Connor & Gallagher from a tiny little office. Now we are in a 15,000 square foot office with our name on the side of the building. Where do you see Connor & Gallagher in 18 more years?
I believe Connor & Gallagher will continue to grow at a pace of just over 10% per year. That may not sound like a significant number but when you consider the compounding effect of 10% growth you would be looking at a company that is over $72,000,000 in revenue or 5.5 times our current size. We will achieve this by staying focused and making sure we continue to meet our annual budget objectives. We will accomplish that by continuing to attract the most talented insurance professionals available to be part of our Connor & Gallagher team.
What do you credit most for the growth of Connor & Gallagher?
I believe our talented and bright employees are the mainstay behind the growth of C & G. It would not be possible to continue to grow a company at a 10% annual growth rate without a steady flow of new and talented insurance professionals. We understand that we need to always be looking for our next valuable colleague in order to maintain our growth.
In the video on the C&G website, you say that you want to hire “team players.” What do you mean by that?
We are looking to attract people who understand that in order to be successful in the insurance business you need to conduct yourself to a high standard. You must always work within the rules and laws of our industry and must always hold yourself accountable for your actions and decisions. We are required by the Department of Insurance to sit through an Ethics class every three years. The people that we are looking for are the folks that set the standard for business ethics and come to work everyday with a great attitude and a commitment of always acting in the best interest of their clients?
As you continue to grow, what is the one thing you’d like customers to know about Connor & Gallagher?
We understand that always acting in our customer’s best interest is always in our best interest. By striving to understand each customers' individual risk management needs and being there to fill those needs is paramount to our success.
As an Illinois State Alumni, you and Tom (Connor) have been very involved with the Katie School of Insurance, including spending a few years on the board. What did it mean to you, to not only be inducted into the Illinois State’s College of Business Hall of Fame, but to get inducted in the same class as Tom, given all that you two have accomplished together?
I am still currently on the Illinois State Katie School of Insurance Board. I have been fortunate enough to have been on their Board since 2003. What I value most about serving on this Board is seeing the number of very bright and talented students who graduate from the Katie School and go on to become leaders in the insurance industry. While I am very proud to be in the College of Business Hall of Fame I am much prouder to say how fortunate both Tom and I are to be Redbirds. Illinois State University served both Tom and me very well. We both understand how fortunate we are to be part of the Hall of Fame group.
It’s been said that the most successful CEOs spend time connecting with the lower level employees. Since we’ve moved into our new office I’ve noticed that you often forego using the private executive bathroom for the community bathroom. Is this a way for you to connect with your employees?
Funny. No that is my way of sparing the people whose offices are near the private bathroom.
You’re a White Sox fan, Tom’s a Cardinals fan and John Gardner is a Cubs fan. Are you cheering for the Cubs in the playoffs?
Tom, being a diehard Cardinals fan does not like to see it but I am absolutely cheering for the Cubs. While I would be much happier to see the White Sox in the playoffs I am a Chicago fan and would love to see the Cubs win this year’s World Series. Go Cubs!
Have a question of your own for Dan? Email him at dgallagher@congalins.com.
