Richard "Gordy" Bunch

Richard "Gordy" Bunch III (Born July 18, 1972) is an American veteran, entrepreneur, business owner, and elected leader located in The Woodlands, Texas. Bunch is the Founder and CEO of TWFG Insurance and its associated companies and currently serves as the Chairman of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors.

Bunch grew up in southern California before moving to College Station, Texas, where he met his future wife, Michelle. After graduating from high school, Bunch attended Sam Houston State University before serving four years of active duty in the United States Coast Guard. During his time in service, Bunch embarked on several deployments, including the Hurricane Andrew Emergency Response Team, Human Trafficking & Drug interdiction, and Search & Rescue. As a veteran, Bunch now serves as the Capital Campaign Chair for the National Coast Guard Museum, charged with preserving the Coast Guard's record of service to our nation over its 230-year history.

After serving in the Coast Guard, Bunch married his wife Michelle, and they moved to The Woodlands, Texas, where he founded TWFG Insurance in 2001. Following nearly 20 years of continuous growth, TWFG Insurance now ranks 27^th out of over 38,000 independently owned property and casualty insurance agencies, according to Insurance Journal’s Top 100 Report. With over 500 million in written personal lines property and casualty premiums, TWFG Insurance also ranks 10th among Insurance Journal’s Top 50 Personal Lines Agencies in the nation.

During their time in The Woodlands, Bunch and his wife Michelle have had three children and become active members of their community. Bunch now serves as the Chairman of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors, where he works with his fellow board members to legislate, set policies, and approve the township's budget.

Early Life

Early Life and Education

Richard "Gordy" Bunch III was born in southern California, to Richard Bunch Jr. and Lydia Bunch and has two siblings.

Bunch and his family relocated to College Station, Texas, where he met his future wife, Michelle. Bunch graduated from high school in 1990. After high school, Bunch attended Sam Houston State University before joining the United States Coast Guard in 1991.

Personal Life

While serving in the Coast Guard, Bunch married his wife, Michelle, in March of 1995. Bunch and his wife went on to have three children. Bunch and his family are active members of many local and national charities and work to provide their time and support to many faith-based initiatives.

Military Career

Active Duty

Bunch joined the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in November of 1991 and served on the USCG Cutter Hamilton. During his four years of active duty service, Bunch attained the rank of Petty Officer Third Class and embarked on several deployments, including Hurricane Andrew Emergency Response Team, Bering Seas winter patrols, Mass Migration Operation Able Manner (Haiti), Human Trafficking & Drug interdiction, and Search & Rescue.

Decorations and Medals

During Bunch's service in the United States Coast Guard, he received numerous commendations, decorations, and medals, including the Meritorious Unit Commendation with one gold star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, Expert Rifleman Medal, Expert Pistol Medal, the Sea Service Ribbon, the United States Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, and the Secretary of Transportation's Outstanding Achievement Award.

Veteran Life

As a veteran, Bunch now serves as Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee for the Future National Coast Guard Museum. This committee works to preserve the Coast Guard's record of service to our nation during its 230-year history. The Future National Coast Guard Museum is set to begin construction in 2020.

Bunch, along with his company TWFG Insurance, also sponsored the Inspire Film Festival's screening of The Interpreters. This film focuses on the interpreters who work with the United States troops fighting overseas and the struggles they face after they aid our troops. This sponsorship not only went towards screening the film but also provided 20 veterans and the interpreters they served with the opportunity to reunite in The Woodlands, Texas.

Professional Career

Early Professional Life

After serving in the USCG, Bunch moved to The Woodlands, Texas, where he began his career in the insurance industry. Bunch joined Texas Farm Bureau Insurance as an insurance agent in 1995 and went on to join American National Insurance in 1996. Bunch moved to Prudential in 1999 and served as their Financial Services Manager and Retail Director until 2000 when he went on to open his own business.

TWFG Insurance

In 2001, Bunch founded The Woodlands Financial Group with his life’s savings of $10,000. Following nearly 20 years of continuous growth, TWFG Insurance now ranks 27^th out of over 38,000 independently owned property and casualty insurance agencies, according to Insurance Journal’s Top 100 Report. With over 500 million in written personal lines property and casualty premiums, TWFG Insurance also ranks 10th among Insurance Journal’s Top 50 Personal Lines Agencies in the nation.

TWFG Insurance recently acquired both Panoptic Insurance and Penguin Insurance Services, adding to their rapidly growing book of business. With over $800 million in written premium, nearly 400 branches, and more than 3,000 independent agents, TWFG Insurance is quickly becoming a nationally recognized insurance provider.

TWFG Affiliated Companies

Bunch, through his holding company, TWFG Holding Company, LLC, also owns and operates four affiliated companies, TWFG General Agency, The Woodlands Insurance Company (Twico), TWFG Financial Services, and eVo Agency Management Solution.

Public Service

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors

Bunch is currently serving as Chairman in his fifth term on The Woodlands Township Board of Directors. The community at large votes to elect directors that serve staggered two-year terms. The Board of Directors serves as the legislative body, sets policy, and approves the budget. All seven Directors act on a volunteer basis and are not entitled to compensation for service on the board. During Bunch’s time on the board, he has participated in nine Township Budget processes where, under his tenure, The Woodlands has reduced the property tax rate 32%, decreased total outstanding debt by 62.5%, and increased the township’s cash reserves by $20,000,000.

The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau

From 2012 to 2017, Bunch served as Chairman and Treasurer of The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau, which works with the community to create and maintain productive public and private partnerships while serving as a reliable and credible source for The Woodlands Township tourism industry.

Political Career

2014 Senate Special Election

On May 10, 2014, Bunch ran as a Republican in the special election for Texas State Senate District 4. Gordy Bunch faced off against Brandon Creighton (R), Michael Galloway (R), and Steve Toth (R) faced in the special election to fill the seat left by Tommy Williams, who retired on October 26, 2013. Due in part to low voter turn-out, no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote, so the top two vote-getters, Creighton and Toth, advanced to a runoff election on August 5, which Creighton won.

Community Involvement

Foundation Involvement

Bunch, along with his company TWFG Insurance, are very active in the community of The Woodlands, Texas. As members of The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce they proudly support fellow small and local businesses. Bunch and TWFG Insurance are also committed to giving back to the community through multiple organizations.

Awards and Honors

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Each June, Ernst & Young hosts the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards to recognize and celebrate entrepreneurial leaders who are changing their industries' face. In 2015, EY recognized "Game Changers" who chose to innovate and adapt, where other companies decided to stick with the status quo. Bunch was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the Products & Services category. Bunch, along with nine others, were recognized for their contributions to industries like energy, health care, and technology within the Gulf Coast area, including Houston, South Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

References

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