Arizona loves its home-grown businesses. Many of them reciprocate this sentiment by giving back to society. For 40 years, the Strunk Insurance Group has served as one of these strong local leaders. Family-owned and -operated, SIG has a commitment to contribute and serve.
The insurance company was founded in 1982 by Greg Strunk, a former Big 10 and NFL Football player with a young family to support and a dream. Today, SIG is a multi-generational, family-owned business. And, while SIG has grown a lot since it was started, its commitment to clients has never wavered.
As a leading employee benefits and human resources consulting firm servicing clients across Arizona and the Southwest, SIG crafts comprehensive corporate benefits packages with a robust range of employee benefits services. It aids in education, enrollment, compliance and administration for its clients, and currently serves a few hundred clients.
It’s been philanthropy, though, as an underpinning of SIG that has distinguished the group locally. Greg Strunk became a Phoenix Thunderbird in 1985 and was very active in the organization throughout the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s. He recognized that the Thunderbirds would provide a fantastic opportunity to expand his network in Phoenix and give back to the community where he was raising his family.
It was Greg who created a culture of caring that would transfer to his son Casey when he, later, took on the business. In fact, it was even philanthropy that brought together the next generation at the Strunk Insurance Group when, in 2011, Casey met his wife Teresa through a charity fundraiser. The couple met through the Arizona’s Finest campaign, which supports the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Arizona.
In 2018, Casey and Teresa purchased the business from Casey’s father, Greg, keeping their ethos in line with the community-centric values the company was founded upon. “Giving back to our community with our time, talent and treasure is equally important to us as operating a successful business,” shares SIG president Casey Strunk. And this philosophy will remain a major pillar for SIG as the Strunks raise their daughters to become the next generation of community helpers.
Weaving philanthropy into the business, SIG focuses on women’s, children’s and education-based causes. Often, SIG’s support is visible, sponsoring events or supporting nonprofits endeavors throughout the Valley. This financial support translates into community stewardship as well.
SIG’s service as community also includes its team members. While SIG does not have an official volunteer program in place, the company organizes an “Adopt-A- Family” program around the holidays. Additionally, leadership encourages and supports volunteerism throughout the year and grants time off for community or board of director service. The family hopes to someday have a family foundation to drive their dedication to charity further.
Matt Davis, executive director of Executive Council Charities, shares, “As past president of Executive Council Charities, Casey’s leadership has inspired others to deliver superior results, and we can’t thank him enough for all that he has done to help the group and charity grow year after year.”
As philanthropists at heart, both Casey and Teresa have served the community on several boards and committees, Casey with the 20/30 Club of Phoenix and Teresa the Big Brother Big Sister’s organization. SIG’s belief in paying it forward and helping others who need a hand up for a stronger community is a commitment its leadership takes seriously.
“Since joining our board of directors in 2014, Teresa has made an immeasurable impact on our organization. As board chair, she led our agency through the uncertainty of a pandemic and helped us emerge stronger. Teresa is a compassionate and thoughtful leader, and we are grateful for her service to BBBS,” says Laura Capello, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona.
With a hyper local focus, the second generation of the Strunk group is poised as leaders in the Arizona community, Casey serving as the board chair for Special Olympics and on the board of directors for PCH50, a men’s charity group for Phoenix Children’s Hospital; Teresa serving as the board secretary for Academic Opportunity of Arizona, the Phoenix Committee Chair for KNOW Cares, in addition to her role as board chair for BBBS of Central Arizona.
SIG’s multi-generational commitment to serve and lead continues to evolve along with the Arizona community. The current generation of Strunk leaders plans to serve the community where and when called upon. Serving as local stewards, dedicated to the great State of Arizona, their leadership will continue to foster a richer, more connected community.
Support AZ’s Finest This Fall
Running through October 2022, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Arizona’s Finest is a unique and fun fundraising campaign for the best and brightest young professionals of Arizona. Those who participate are given the opportunity to display their community leadership, acknowledge their employer, highlight their professional achievements and get creative, while raising funds to provide all people with cystic fibrosis the opportunity to lead full, productive lives.
This year’s campaign kicked off in June and concludes in October, giving candidates five months to work together to hit their individual and group fundraising goals. Throughout the campaign, the Finest have the opportunity to learn about the CF Foundation and our community, understand the power of giving back, and utilize their leadership skills to connect and grow together as future leaders.
AVP of Corporate Social Impact at Weedmaps, Tyler Butler is a corporate responsibility practitioner, social impact professional and contributor for several media outlets. She is a social impact executive who is passionate about sustainability. She is certified in ESG and corporate citizenship and holds degrees from ASU and Boston College.
Photo courtesy of Strunk Insurance Group
