Service Is `Overriding Theme` at Cashion

As seen in
Back, from left: John Allbritton, Jim Allbritton, Ben Cashion, Nick Peters, Bill Griffin, Jimbo Ramsay. Front, from left: Matt Cashion, Benson Cashion, David Huddleston, Lee Jackson.
Service Is ‘Overriding Theme’ at Cashion
“Of course, it’s an investment of time, money and human
resources,” said Benson Cashion, president of The Cashion
Co., when asked about the agency’s involvement with various
industries trade associations. Referring to Cashion Executive
Vice President Jim R. Allbritton’s yearlong service as president
of the Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas, Benson
explained the agency’s belief in “participation, and giving back
to an industry.”
The Cashion Co. knows about these types of investments.
Benson Cashion’s brother, Matt, served as national president of
the National Association of Surety Bond Producers. Benson
and Matt’s father, the late Knight Cashion, was instrumental in
the formation of the Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association,
serving as an officer from its beginning until his death in 2004.
With the main office firmly rooted in the downtown area
since 1975 when Knight Cashion founded the agency, Benson
likes to point out to his sales force “that we don’t have a drivethrough window.” Cashion’s hallmark of distinction has always
been service: going to customers anywhere in the state to meet
their insurance and surety bond needs.
So how does a family-owned insurance agency thrive while
so many others have merged or sold out? Allbritton is quick to
respond: “Service. Mr. Cashion taught us that service is what
sells. Treat your customer like you want to be treated.” David
Huddleston, vice president, echoes the sentiment: “For the 28
years I’ve been at Cashion, service has been our overriding
theme.”
Longevity is another trademark of Cashion. The average
employment tenure is in excess of 10 years, even with the addition of many young, energetic associates. “It’s a great place to
work. I only wish I had found Cashion sooner,” said Gina
Doiron, an account manager of only six years.
Why would a young person consider entering the insurance
profession today? Jimbo Ramsay, one of Cashion’s newest sales
professionals, explains that “as an agent you have great flexibility. You get to use your imagination and creativity to help your
customers. I have a desk, but I’m certainly not tied to it.”
Bringing in new people for perpetuation is a commitment
Cashion’s making. Not only has Ramsay joined, but so have
Lee Jackson, John Allbritton and Ben Cashion. But merely hiring new people does not guarantee success. That is why the
agency spends thousands each year on educational training. In
fact, of the 31 employees, over half have at least one professional designation.
Cindy Trickey, one of the agency’s sales professionals with
industrywide expertise, likens her experience at Cashion to a
team sport. “We’re all helping each other, whenever and wherever we can.” Former surety manager for a large national company, Bill Griffin has 10 years with Cashion and has moved
from company underwriter to sales, usually a tough transition
that, according to Cashion, Griffin has made “look easy.”
Promoting from within is often given lip service. But Nick
Peters knows better. After starting as a runner 17 years ago,
Peters finds himself running all over Arkansas selling bonds and
insurance to a variety of customers.
But why stay downtown? “We like the location and all that
downtown Little Rock has to offer,” Cashion said. “We’re
excited about the revitalization of the downtown and River
Market areas, and we intend to be an integral part of it for many
years to come.”
2006
The Cashion Co. Inc.:
Continuing a family tradition: customer
service.
Number of Employees: 31
Top Executive:
Benson A. Cashion, president
Product or Service:
Independent insurance agency specializing
in surety bond and insurance services
Year Founded: 1975
P. O. Box 550
Little Rock, AR 72203
321 Scott St.
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 376-0716 or
(800) 523-2147
Fax: (501) 376-2118
www.cashionco.com