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Tulips in Spring at Cornell University |
In April of 1853
Percy W. Wood opened the doors of The Wood Office
in Ithaca, New York with
the sale of his first insurance policy. He continued to operate the
agency on the principal of providing the right coverage for the
client and even wrote the first insurance policies for his friend
Ezra Cornell on his new college he was starting. He was later joined
by his son Percy O. Wood who ran the agency
until 1956 when he sold the agency to
Richard Hughes.
In 1977, J. David Ferris made a “cold call” on Hughes using an
editorial Hughes had written for Independent Agent's Magazine about
the lack of younger people in the business with the drive for agency
ownership as his means for securing a meeting. They talked for two
hours and Dave came to work on a hand shake; two years later buying
the agency outright in August of 1979. In 1992, Dave’s youngest son
Jamie joined the agency as an account executive on a full time
basis. In 2001 He became Vice president and a partial owner. In 2003
P. W. Wood & Son, Inc. celebrated its 150th Anniversary and
in that time has grown into a multi-million dollar agency with
personal and commercial clients in over 30 States and Canada.
The Wood Office strives to be your once source for ALL
your insurance and risk management needs. Our risk management
philosophy is applied to each client uniquely. We understand that
strong and vibrant clients do not flourish under the burden of
unnecessary insurance premiums. We encourage a prioritized insurance
program with your insurance dollars being spent wisely and
fruitfully; not frivolously and wastefully.
Our People:
As with any business the most important asset we have is our people.
We strive to maintain a staff that is highly trained, motivated by
our philosophy and ethical in their practices. Some of the people we
are proud to have in our office to help you are:
J. David Ferris Ph.D., CPCU, ARM, AAI-
Chief Executive Officer. Dave is a 40+ year veteran of the insurance
industry, licensed for Property & Casualty and Life & Health. He has
been at The Wood Office since 1977 and purchased the agency from
Richard Hughes in 1979 to become only the 4th owner in the 150 Year
history. He has taught and lectured on the topics risk management
and insurance for over 20 years; including as visiting lecturer for
Cornell University, the Club Managers Association of America, and
Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America. Dave has been a
volunteer on numerous community boards including the United Way and
Tompkins County Area Development. He currently is on the board of
trustees for Tompkins Cortland Community College. He is strong
supporter of the arts, an avid outdoorsman and golfer.
Jamie A. Ferris, AAI – President, Jamie has been a part of
the Wood Office since 1987. Starting with the agency on a part time
basis while attending college; he joined the agency full time upon
graduating from SUNY Oswego in 1992 with a BS in Marketing. Jamie is
licensed for both Property & Casualty and Life & Health along with
maintaining a Series 7 and 63 registrations with the NASD. He has
volunteered for many local organizations, currently coach’s youth
soccer. Jamie is also currently the Vice President of his local
Business Networking International chapter. Jamie spends his leisure
time with his wife Melissa and their three daughters.
Karen Supek-Ferris, AAI – Vice President, P. W. Wood & Son,
Inc. Karen is the longest active employee of The Wood Office.
Starting with the agency in 1976, she is licensed for Property &
Casualty and has been managing the Commercial Lines Department for
over 20 Years. Her primary focus has been large or complex
commercial lines accounts. Karen is a lifetime resident of Tompkins
County. She enjoys spending time with her two sons, travel, golf and
boating.
Jolene Brooker – Commercial Lines Account Executive. Jolene
has been in the insurance industry since 1984 and The Wood Office
since 1997. She licensed for Property & Casualty insurance with a
focus on small and mid-sized commercial lines accounts. When she is
not working for The Wood Office, she helps run her husband Gary’s
plumbing and heating business. She enjoys camping, boating and
wine-making. Jolene and her family live in Lansing.
Sara Rose, PLCS – Personal Lines Account Executive. Sara
joined The Wood Office in 2003 as a newcomer to the insurance
industry. She has learned very quickly and in 2004 became licensed
for Property & Casualty. She also completed the Hartford School of
Insurance’s Personal Lines Training Program and successfully earned
her PLCS designation. Sara spends her free time outdoors. She enjoys
boating, snowmobiling and most of all horse back riding. She lives
with her husband Ronnie and their son in Freeville.
Kim Woodsinger – Account Executive. Kim
joined The Wood Office in 2006 as a newcomer to the insurance
industry. She is licensed for Property & Casualty and Life & Health.
She resides in Johnson City.
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