• Looking Back 75 Years

    1937. Cy Young was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Margaret Mitchell won the Pulitzer Prize for Gone with the Wind. Charlie Chaplin released his first talkie, Modern Times. And Charles Parker opened his Seattle insurance office. Since then, Parker, Smith & Feek has played a part in making the Northwest one of the best places to live. Let’s take a look back at some memorable moments of the past 75 years.

  • 1930s

    1931

    Allstate Insurance Company formed by Sears, Roebuck & Co.

    1931

    Charles C. Parker graduates from the University of Washington

    1931

    Charles C. Parker graduates from the University of Washington

    1932

    Amelia Earhart flies across Atlantic.

    1932

    Parker joins General Insurance Company of America in Seattle, WA as a Special Agent.

    1937

    Parker forms independent insurance agency as sole proprietor. He rents a single desk in Seattle’s Daily Journal of Commerce Building.

    1937

    First “Blanket” insurance policy issued.

    1938

    Graham Smith, also a Special Agent with General Insurance Company joins Parker to form Parker-Smith Company.

    1938

    The company moves to the Coleman Building.

    1938

    Recreational Equipment Company (REI) founded.

    1939

    First commercial television broadcast

  • 1940s

    1941

    Pearl Harbor

    1942

    Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) professional designation program begins.

    1944

    Offices move to the Skinner Building (4 employees)

    1945

    Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

    1947

    Chuck Yeager breaks sound barrier.

    1948

    Marine Department created. Dick Doran is named Manager.

    1949

    PEMCO (Public Employees Mutual Casualty Company) founded, Seattle, WA

  • 1950s

    1950

    First “Peanuts” cartoon.

    1952

    Automobile seat belts introduced.

    1953

    General Insurance Company of America creates insurance subsidiary, Selective Auto and Fire Insurance – SAFECO.

    1955

    Ed Feek of Dawson & Feek joins the firm to head the Surety Department.

    1955

    Disneyland opens.

    1955

    Disneyland opens.

    1957

    The firm incorporates as Parker, Smith & Feek, Inc. The three principals are the first stockholders. (12 employees)

    1957

    Facing stiff challenges from direct writers Allstate and State Farm, independent agents begin advertising on TV.

    1959

    Castro becomes Dictator of Cuba.

  • 1960s

    1960

    PS&F arranges insurance for the construction of Seattle’s Space Needle.

    1960

    PS&F arranges insurance for the construction of Seattle’s Space Needle.

    1961

    First US Court judgment in excess of $1 million for injuries to one person.

    1962

    World’s Fair opens in Seattle.

    1963

    Boeing 727 jet introduced.

    1965

    Staff grows to 14 employees.

    1965

    Watts riots result in $300 million in property damage and business interruption losses.

    1967

    The firm spurns offer to sell and decides to remain privately held. New hires bring employee total to 22.

    1968

    Keith Douglas becomes 2nd President.

    1968

    Washington Insurance Council formed.

    1969

    Neil Armstrong is first man on the moon.

  • 1970s

    1970

    Agency-Company Operations and Development (ACORD) committee is formed.

    1971

    Founder’s son, Victor E. Parker, joins the firm.

    1971

    First Starbucks opens in Seattle

    1974

    Offices move to Bank of California Center. (32 employees)

    1974

    Richard Nixon resigns the Presidency.

    1976

    The BOP (Businessowners Policy) is introduced.

    1976

    Premiums exceed $12 million.

    1979

    Hurricane Frederick becomes largest insured catastrophe in history to date.

    1979

    Nuclear accident at Three Mile Island

  • 1980s

    1980

    Mt. St. Helens eruption results in 57 deaths and $3.9 billion in losses, of which $44 million were insured.

    1980

    Mt. St. Helens eruption results in 57 deaths and $3.9 billion in losses, of which $44 million were insured.

    1981

    Vic Parker becomes 3rd President

    1981

    First personal computer introduced by IBM

    1984

    PS&F joins Assurex International, only partner from Washington State.

    1984

    PS&F joins Assurex International, only partner from Washington State.

    1984

    Over 100 property and casualty companies will become insolvent between now and 1986.

    1985

    Wreck of Titanic found.

    1986

    Anchorage, Alaska office opens.

    1988

    Premiums exceed $100 million

    1988

    Pan Am flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie, Scotland

    1989

    Exxon Valdez becomes largest environmental disaster to date.

  • 1990s

    1990

    PS&F creates “claims advocacy” position.

    1990

    Hubble Telescope launched into space.

    1992

    Hurricane Andrew hits Florida. ($25 billion in losses.)

    1994

    PS&F in Business Insurance “100 Largest Brokers” ranking for first time.

    1995

    Premiums exceed $200 million.

    1996

    US Supreme Court rules that banks can sell insurance in towns with less than 5,000 population. (Barnett Bank versus Nelson)

    1997

    The Simpsons becomes the longest running cartoon show in history

    1999

    Gramm –Leach-Bliley Act allows insurance companies, banks and securities firms to affiliate under a holding company.

    1999

    Offices move to Bellevue, Washington. (150 employees)

  • 2000s

    2001

    We never forget that on September 11, 2001 acts of terrorism took the lives of Thousands.

    2002

    Independent Agents adopt “Trusted Choice” as national brand.

    2002

    Independent Agents adopt “Trusted Choice” as national brand.

    2002

    Independent Agents adopt “Trusted Choice” as national brand.

    2002

    Independent Agents adopt “Trusted Choice” as national brand.

    2004

    Vic Parker retires, Greg Collins becomes 4th CEO & President

    2004

    New York Attorney General, Eliot Spitzer, accuses Marsh & McClennan and others of bid rigging.

    2004

    Winner Agency Automation Award from AMS

    2005

    Lance Armstrong Wins 7th Consecutive Tour de France

    2008

    Barack Obama becomes first African American President in history

    2008

    Business Insurance “Reader’s Choice Award” / Rough Notes “Agency of the Year”

    2009

    Premiums exceed $300 million

  • 2010s

    2010

    Haiti earthquake

    2010

    Deepwater Horizon explosion creates largest oil spill in history

    2011

    National Underwriter “Commercial Agency of the Year”

    2011

    National Underwriter “Commercial Agency of the Year”

    2012

    75th Anniversary