by Bea Peterson
“I was not looking to sell,” said Nancy Schneider of Baker Insurance, located at 60 Classic Street in Hoosick Falls. “In the back of my mind, however, I was contemplating ways of perpetuating the company. Then Erie Insurance introduced me to Sean Culnan and it seemed a great match.” Culnan of Culnan Insurance Agency, LLC of North Greenbush also saw it as a great match. [private]“He has a great concern for the client,” Schneider added. She will continue to run the Hoosick Falls office. “This was an opportunity for me to continue working in the business and I didn’t see another Sean ever coming along,” she said. The sale took place January 1.
Culnan said “a vital piece of the transaction was to have Nancy be part of this and to see that we continued to offer the same level of service to our customers and to the community, with the same people.” Culnan has worked in the Capital District for seven years. His business up to this point, he said, predominantly served the business and commercial segment of the population, while Baker insurance serves more individual clients. The sale provides a nice balance to the Company overall. “Customers now have the Baker Agency plus more options,” added Schneider. She mentioned that they will now be dealing with Erie Insurance, an A+ rated company as well as other carriers.
Schneider and Culnan both agreed they are very happy with the process and look forward to working together for many years to come. Culnan, who lives in West Sand Lake is also anxious to become acquainted with this new community he serves.
Nancy Schneider purchased the independent Baker Insurance Agency, then located next to the Post Office on Main Street, from Larry and Patti Baker in April 2003. The office relocated to the Wood Block for a year, then Schneider purchased and renovated the present location on Classic Street. “The renovation was done by Jeffrey Buck,” said Schneider, “and we moved into the building in the spring of 2005.” Baker Insurance has served Hoosick, Hoosick Falls, Cambridge, Greenwich, Salem, Saratoga Springs and the surrounding areas for over 50 years and will continue to do so, under the name Culnan Insurance Agency, LLC.[/private]