Whalen Joins Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy
October 6, 2022GILROY KERNAN & GILROY CELEBRATES 120TH ANNIVERSARY
April 10, 2024
TIMING COMES AS GKG APPROACHES 120TH ANNIVERSARY.
(August 24, 2023) New Hartford, NY – Together, the Burns and Gilroy families announce the acquisition of The Burns Agency by Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy, Inc. (GKG). After 104 years—and four generations—the Burns family is proud to leave their customers and their family’s legacy in the hands of another local, family-owned, independent insurance agency with deep ties to the local community.
The Burns Agency, founded in 1919, is located in Clinton, New York. The firm specializes in Personal and Commercial insurance. Dave Burns served as president of the firm until his passing in September 2022. GKG, founded in 1904, is located in New Hartford, New York. GKG specializes in Personal, Commercial, Risk Management, Employee Benefits, and Retirement.
“Dave was not only a trusted advisor, but a great leader and friend to many in our community. This acquisition brings together two firms with over 225 years of combined history and demonstrates the strong commitment of both to our local community. We are proud to continue Dave’s legacy as we move into the future,” says Larry Gilroy, president of GKG.
As an established local employer, the GKG team consists of over 60 individuals with a diverse range of experience, knowledge, and expertise. The Burns Agency staff—Wendy Lawlor, Julie Freemire, Sandra Freeman, and Elaine Wallace—are now employees of GKG. They remain committed to servicing clients and will be exploring opportunities for professional growth at GKG.
Effective immediately, The Burns Agency’s clients are now clients of GKG, with access to the full spectrum of services offered by GKG. GKG is committed to minimizing any disruption to clients during the transition. As far as the day to day goes, little will change.
As a pillar of the local community, the 29 West Park Row location will remain open to clients and The Burns Agency staff will continue to operate primarily out of the Clinton location.
“We pride ourselves in being a local agency with a global reach,” added Tom Gilroy. “Today, GKG manages risk in all 50 states and across the globe; and we do it all with a team based right here in our hometown. Our acquisition of The Burns Agency has rooted us even deeper in Central New York. We look forward to the privilege of serving our clients—current and future—for many years to come.”
For more information and FAQs about the acquisition, please visit our website:
www.gkgrisk.com/theburnsagency
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About Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy, Inc.
Founded in 1904, Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy (gkgrisk.com) is one of Central New York’s oldest and largest independent insurance agencies. Blending innovative insurance solutions with leading-edge strategies, GKG helps individuals and businesses of all types and sizes manage risk. The firm is headquartered at 210 Clinton Road in New Hartford, from which it serves clients across New York State and increasingly around the nation and globe. GKG employs a professional staff of over 60 and represents more than 80 insurance carriers.