TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With clear skies and 70 degree weather, dozens of community and business leaders gathered with GEICO associates recently to celebrate the company’s 10-year anniversary in Tucson. Speaking on behalf of their organizations to acknowledge GEICO’s many contributions in the community were Tony Penn, CEO of the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona; Dan Gregory, community relations coordinator of Casa de los Niño’s; and Aaron Muth, president of the Arizona Leadership Foundation.
During GEICO’s 10 years in Tucson, the company has been an integral part of improving the lives of local Tucsonans. GEICO associates have donated to a variety of Southern Arizona non-profits and given over $1.4 million to the local community. Associates have also donated hundreds of volunteer hours to organizations such as Big Brother Big Sister, United Way, Casa de los Niño’s, Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, Safe Kids Tucson and the Humane Society.
“Our success these past 10 years starts firmly with our associates,” says GEICO regional vice president Martha Furnas. “They spend much of their free time helping local community organizations in order to make Tucson a better place. I am proud of their accomplishments and I know that the next 10 years will be even brighter.”
GEICO’s Tucson office opened for business in April of 2003 with fewer than 50 associates. Within five years, the office employed 780 associates as it gained market share by expanding operations into Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Utah. By the beginning of 2011, the Tucson office had more than 1,000 associates and was fully responsible for sales, service, underwriting and claims in seven states. The Tucson office plans to hire 400 new associates by the end of 2013.
GEICO Chairman and CEO Tony Nicely and executive vice president Bill Roberts were on hand to join in the day’s festivities, which included a fiesta buffet and a live Mariachi band. “The reward for hard work at GEICO is tremendous opportunity,” said Nicely. “The spirit of today’s celebration is a testament to the commitment of our associates. Under the stewardship of Martha Furnas, Tucson is a big part of GEICO’s continued growth and success. I want to commend Martha and her team for an outstanding job well done.”
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the third-largest private passenger auto insurance company in the United States. GEICO provides millions of auto insurance quotes to U.S. drivers annually. The company is pleased to serve more than 11 million private passenger customers and insures more than 18 million vehicles (auto & cycle).
GEICO’s online service center helps policyholders take care of policy sales, policy changes, claims reporting and to print insurance ID cards. GEICO also provides insurance quotes on motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), travel trailers and motorhomes (RVs). Coverage for boats, life, homes and apartments is written by non-affiliated insurance companies and is secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection are also available. For more information, go to www.geico.com.