Patricia Bland, founder of P.A. Bland & Associates insurance company, with her husband Jerry.
In the early ’80s, Patricia Bland was a sales representative for an auto replacement glass company. She sold to Connecticut insurers. One of them was so impressed by her competency and appeal that it offered her a sales agent position.
“My husband Jerry objected but I took it,” says Patricia. Later she opened a Suffield agency for the company. She says business prospered but was constrained since she wasn’t permitted to sell competing brands.
Switch to an Independent Agent
So, in the late ‘80s, she became an independent agent representing a variety of well-known carriers. “We had to start fresh, all over again,” says Patricia. “That was very hard.”
Jerry joined the business early on and has become an integral partner.
Today P.A. Bland & Associates sells auto, home, life, commercial and specialty insurance at 123 Mountain Road. “We’ve run a solid 85% retention rate for over 30 years,” says Jerry.
So they serve the community and their customers well.
Active Suffield Contributors
The Blands have been active in civic and church affairs for 43 years.
Jerry was a member of the Fire Commission and a high school football official for 20 years.
Patricia delivered Meals on Wheels for four years and was on the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association Board of Trustees for 20 years – “the most terrific group,” she says.
Both were 1994 Chamber of Commerce charter members and active at Sacred Heart Church.
Original Observer Advertiser
The couple remembers Sam Fuller, the Suffield Observer founder, discussing his dream of creating a local newspaper. “We advertised in the first 1999 issue and every issue since,” says Patricia. “We are proud to be an advertiser for so many years and will certainly continue with our relationship.”
Their ads often display colorful images tailored to upcoming holidays.
“It’s actually brought us business,” says Jerry. “I remember a veteran phoning after seeing our Veterans Day ad. We discussed our military experiences. That led to us quoting his auto insurance and him becoming a customer.”
As for the future, Patricia says, “We enjoy what we do and plan on doing it for years.”