Our History

 

In 1984, Winston Church was at a crossroads in his life.  He had been working as the Director of Revenue in the Kentucky State Government under former governor John Y. Brown.  When Governor Brown’s term in office was nearing an end, Church knew it was time for a change.

 

With an extensive background in business, his opportunities were limitless.  Church was fortunate to be living next door to Len Mills, a high-ranking official in the Home Builder’s Association of Kentucky.  Mills told him that the Home Builder’s were experiencing a problem.  Their insurance policy was so poor that none of the employees were participating in the plan.  Knowing of Church’s experience in the insurance business, Mills asked him for some help.  Church decided to take the job on a temporary basis until another opportunity arose.

 

At first, Winston & Company Benefits, Inc was located in Church’s basement with he and his wife, Pat, as the only employees.  The days were long and hard, but the company pulled through thanks to the Churches’ extensive efforts.  Winston and Pat worked 14-hour days filling out paperwork in hopes of making the company they were building from the ground up a success.   

 

The hard work paid off.  The company more than doubled the participation in the Home Builders Association of Kentucky program.  Bob Weiss, the Executive Vice President of HBAK later stated, “In 1984, Winston & Company revived our fledgling association group insurance program and through their marketing efforts, made the HBAK Group Program one of the strongest in Kentucky.”   In 1993 Winston & Company moved to its current location where it continues to thrive.

 

Today, Winston & Company is ranked 4th in Business First’s list of Largest Louisville Independent Insurance Agencies.  From humble beginnings in the founders basement to representing over 20 associations throughout Kentucky and Indiana, Winston & Company has come a long way by representing only the top insurers and guaranteeing the best health care coverage at a very competitive rate.

 

Winston & Company’s mission is to position itself in a leadership role in cooperation with both government agencies and insurance carriers in order to best serve clients interests.  It is a goal to seek out new and innovative prospective markets in which to conduct business.  The customer is considered number one and their best interest in always in the mind of every Winston & Company employee.

 

In the future, Church would like to see the company that he founded continue to grow.  The goal to represent more carriers and associations is one that will be strived for by everyone involved in the company.