GHA — A Fun, Professional Workplace With Purpose

At Glenn Harris and Associates, the whole company is a team, and the team is family. That includes three tail-wagging “Directors of Morale” — company dogs Smoky, Mocha and Chief.

The overwhelming sense of camaraderie is just one of the reasons Glenn Harris employees responded en masse to Insurance Journal’s 2022 Best Agencies to Work For survey, making the agency IJ’s Bronze winner for the South Central region.

Of course, accolades are nothing new to Glenn Harris, which has also been voted Best Local Insurance Agent by The Oklahoman’s Reader’s Choice Awards five years in a row, including in 2022.

“Insurance market conditions change regularly, and, as an independent agent, we can select from a variety of carriers and programs,” a nominating employee said. “This makes me very proud to represent an agency so strong in Oklahoma City.”

Founded in 1987, the firm currently has 34 employees and 10 producers, with annual revenue between $11 million and $25 million. The team serves the Oklahoma City area and clients throughout Oklahoma.

“I’ve worked at three insurance agencies in my career and have never found a more welcoming, growing, and full of opportunities than Glenn Harris & Associates,” said one nominating employee. “We have a great team with a purpose!”

“We are a family,” said another nominating employee. “We have a great team and really back each other up for work and personal stuff.”

The teamwork extends across departments and throughout the agency, employees said.

“I’m in the commercial department, and should one of the account managers be out for any length of time, we work together to assist with workflow so the work is not doubled up on one person,” said one employee. “We have meetings to check up on how everyone is doing and if one of the account managers needs extra help.”

“GHA is a fun but professional place to work,” said an employee. “Mr. Harris treats his employees well, from celebrating birthdays to being understanding. The office is … comfortable to be in but also half the team gets to work from home.”

Offering remote work options has helped the company retain staff and secure top talent from other locations.

“Since Covid, several employees are able to work from home 100 percent of the time, which has increased productivity, saving on expense commuting to and from work,” a nominating employee said.

On top of their competitive salaries and remote work options, Glenn Harris offers employees health, dental, vision, 401(k), pension, monthly luncheons, birthday recognitions, an annual bonus, holiday pay and a legendary holiday party.

“Knowing that our employees are happy and feel appreciated are the most important factors in a continued, successful, and growing agency,” a nominating employee said.

The family atmosphere and confidence in the team frees the employees to work toward their common and ultimate goal.

“We make a day go by fast with a smile, a laugh and hard work,” said Tonda Walters, personal lines team lead. “We diligently provide our clients with the best coverage and rates available from one of our many preferred carriers.”

So how does Glenn Harris make it work across departments and remote employees?

“Create an exciting, energetic and enjoyable place to work! Ensure you acknowledge, promote, and supply your staff with the needed avenues to advance themselves in their career,” said Chloey Benson, who works in accounting.

The learning and growing begin the day you walk in the door and never stop, said another nominating employee.

“I am proud to be a part of the GHA family because that is what this agency is,” the employee said. “We have team leads who welcome and train newcomers; we have an accounting team who does any and everything for the office and its needs.”

“We have an absolutely amazing office manager/HR who keeps the office aligned as well as alive, and account managers continuously make the world go round while smiling,” they added. “And to put a cherry on top, we have three extraordinary morale-supporting pups.”