At Bender Insurance Solutions, longevity isn’t measured only in years — it’s measured in people.
As the firm approaches nearly 88 years as a family-led, employee-owned organization, some of the most meaningful reflections of its culture come from families who have chosen to build their careers here together. The Johnson family — spanning three generations — offers a powerful example of how values, integrity, and commitment can carry forward over time.
Dave Johnson: Where It All Began
In 1991, after more than 20 years in corporate finance and insurance, I made the decision to leave Corporate America and join a much smaller agency then known as WGBCO.
“1991 was a wonderful year as Steve Bender rescued me from Corporate America. After 20 years working in finance and insurance, it was time for me to make a change. Steve and I spent much of 1991 discussing the opportunities I could have working on the agency side of the business. At the end of that year, I decided to leave Corporate America and come to Bender. My only regret is that I waited as long as I did.”
At the time, the company was much smaller.
Steve had a clear vision for growing the firm and wanted to develop a Surety Department. That was my background, and he believed I could contribute to building something meaningful.
“I was a bond guy and not experienced on the insurance side of the business. Steve helped me develop my P&C skills and assisted me in rounding out surety clients. We spent a lot of time together, and I truly appreciated the assistance and education he provided.”
That experience reinforced something I still believe today.
“I learned that the key to success was the quality of service we provide to our clients.”
Over time, I had the opportunity to watch my son join the company and grow in his own career.
“Edward joined the company as the second-generation Johnson and became another member of the Surety Department. He came in with a banking background, developed his P&C skills, and grew into an important producer and representative of the firm. He exceeded my expectations, growing the Surety Department into one of the largest in the region while also building a strong P&C book of business.”
In 2025, that legacy continued in a new and meaningful way.
“That year welcomed my granddaughter Rosanna to the company, and it gives me great pleasure to see the third generation of Johnsons join Bender Insurance Solutions. I’m very confident in her ability to learn the business and contribute to the success of our operations.”
Looking back, I feel deeply proud.
“I recall the 75th anniversary of WGBCO in 2013, celebrating the company’s longevity as a family-run business. Now, as we approach almost 88 years, I’m proud to be part of the Bender family and to see its continued success into the third generation of family management.”
“It was a very rewarding experience for me, and I truly appreciate the opportunities that allowed me to succeed, as well as the friendships developed during my 23 years with WGBCO.”
Edward Johnson: Learning by Example
My connection to Bender began long before I officially joined the firm.
I first met Steve Bender in 1991, when my father started working with him. I was still in high school at the time. Steve had a passion for the arts, and I was involved in theatre. True to form, Steve would come out and support local productions.
“That gave me an early view of the qualities behind Bender and its commitment to supporting local communities.”
At home, I saw something else that stuck with me.
“Each night I would walk through and see my dad sitting there with his yellow legal pad, making notes about a client’s recent job or reviewing their financials. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what it was all about — but I knew he really enjoyed what he was doing.”
That passion mattered.
Joining Bender wasn’t something I took lightly. Being part of a multi-generation family at the firm is something I view as an honor.
“It’s a privilege I don’t take for granted. It’s an opportunity to build a legacy within a legacy.”
Some lessons have stayed with me from the very beginning.
“A good firm handshake — that was an early lesson from my dad. Nobody wants to shake a dead fish when they meet you.”
When Rosanna decided to join Bender, I felt nothing but pride.
“I’m a proud father no matter what Rosanna chooses to do. The fact that she decided to join Bender is a bonus. We take things one day at a time and see what the future holds.”
What has meant the most to me over the years is the culture.
“It’s cliché to say the people — but it’s true. I’ve gained some wonderful friendships during my time here, and I don’t know if I could say that about every place I’ve worked. People are the foundation of any organization and its culture.”
Looking ahead, my hope is simple.
“I want to leave a legacy of commitment and dedication — to Bender and to my fellow employee-owners. You can grow and succeed with one company. You don’t have to move every few years. You can build your own legacy here.
“Insurance can be a very transactional business if we let it become that. My goal is to make sure it never does.”
Rosanna Johnson: Carrying It Forward
For me, joining Bender was deeply personal.
“If I narrow it down to one thing, it was my father and grandfather. The type of people who represent a company is one of the biggest factors in determining where I want to work — and in understanding the integrity of a company.”
Bender had always been part of the background of my life. Like most kids, I didn’t always know what my dad did day to day — but I always knew how much he cared.
“I knew he had a strong desire to do what was right. If he was willing to dedicate so much time and effort to his job, then it had to be more than worthwhile.”
What I value most in a workplace is integrity, high standards, and genuine support for employees.
“I’m still not 100% certain what my long-term path will be, but I know that right now I’m working somewhere that truly values those things — and doesn’t make exceptions around them.”
Some of my earliest lessons came from small moments.
“My brother and I would go over to my grandfather’s house to chop wood, and he always appreciated our ‘help’ — even when it probably wasn’t very helpful. He showed patience and temperance in every situation.”
From my dad, I learned something just as important.
“Being willing to always learn and not being afraid of change. He’s calm, humble, and carries the presence of a leader without having to force it. He has always believed in me — on my best and worst days — and that pushes me to work hard and hopefully make him proud.”
Even today, I feel the ripple effect of that legacy.
“I still have strangers come up to me and say, ‘Your father is a great man,’ or I’ll be introduced as ‘Dave’s granddaughter’ and welcomed because of it.”
A Living Legacy
Three generations. One set of values.
The Johnson family story reflects what has always mattered at Bender Insurance Solutions: integrity, service, relationships, and the belief that how you do the work matters just as much as the work itself.
And that legacy continues — one conversation, one handshake, and one generation at a time.
