THE FACE OF INSURANCE

James C. Metzger
Founder | Chairman | CEO
The Whitmore Agency

370 Old Country Road
Garden City, NY 11530
www.whitmoregroup.com
516-756-4141

Seeing opportunity in a market he saw as underserved, James “Jim” Metzger founded The Whitmore Group in Roslyn, New York, in 1989, and devoted his energy and resources to what became the foundation of his company – funeral services insurance. Starting with four employees and $5 million in premiums, today The Whitmore Agency, now in Garden City, New York, boosts more than $250 million in premiums and 100 employees. Jim built the agency’s funeral business by developing a deep understanding of the market and vertically integrating programs not only for funeral homes, but everything from crematoriums to livery, caskets, and monuments. Early on, funeral services accounted for 95% of Whitmore’s revenue. Currently, while the more than 400 funeral home clients are just 15% of the agency’s income, it is no less important to the definition and character of the business.



According to Jim, “Funeral directors taught me a lot, including the importance of giving back to the community.” Jim’s “Community Service” is significant and consistent, supporting charitable and educational institutions such as Hofstra University, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Boys & Girls Clubs of America (Newark Chapter), The American Heart Association, and the Funeral Service Foundation, among many others.