History

In the spirit of the times, in 1868, two brothers, W. C. Lanier and Lafayette Lanier, eager to build a company that could underpin the redevelopment of their communities, opened a small private banking and insurance agency called W. C. and L. Lanier.

Over the next 20 years, Lafayette’s primary business interests shifted from banking as he grew more deeply involved in West Point’s textile mills, and began focusing on producing and marketing cotton products. It was during this time that Ward Crockett became ill and moved away.

Because another local bank had opened and a state bank was being organized, Lafayette liquidated the banking side of the business and began searching for someone to assume responsibility of the insurance agency. Since Lafayette and Ward agreed it was important for the company to remain in the family, they convinced Philip Lanier, Lafayette’s nephew, to come aboard in 1896.

The Great Depression was a troubling time for the company, as Ward Crockett, Lafayette and Philip all passed away. Another nephew, J. Smith Lanier, a successful businessman in the booming telephone industry, assumed management of the family business.

In turn, in 1932 he appointed his daughter, Edith Lanier who had been working in the firm for three years, manager of the company. Edith ran a strong, conservative business which continued to grow and thrive. She played a major role in the reorganization of the agency and preservation of the family enterprise. Additionally, she became the first woman to be elected to the Executive Committee of the Georgia Association of Insurance Agents. In 1936 she purchased the entire ownership interest of the company.

Between 1973-74, as Edith neared retirement, her nephew J. Smith Lanier II, Mr. Lanier’s great nephew, bought the agency and began a new era for the company. Smith’s strong beliefs made it possible to continue a family business built on the principles of service— first to God, then to one’s fellow man.

In 1976, Smith’s nephew D. Gaines Lanier joined the agency. And in 1983, the business changed its name to J. Smith Lanier & Co.

In 1999, Gaines Lanier was elected CEO as Smith Lanier announced his retirement. D. Gaines Lanier was named Chairman and CEO in 2005 and Gary Ivey who had served as COO since 2000 was named President and COO. J. Smith Lanier II and Bill Parr Jr. were elevated to the positions of Chairman and Vice-Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors.

The bottom line is, J. Smith Lanier & Co. strives to provide each client with exactly what is required to make life simpler and more efficient.

P & C Group

• Commercial and Personal Property and Casualty
• Claims Advocacy
• Surety Bonds
• Risk Control
• Brokerage
• Loss Control
• Marketing
• Executive Liability

Financial Services and Benefits Advisory Group

• Group and Individual Benefits
• Executive Compensation
• Direct Reimbursement Benefits Plan (DRBP)
• Third Party Administration (TPA)
• HR Consulting
• Professional Employment Organization (PEO)

Under the leadership of five generations of Lanier’s, the small insurance agency founded by two brothers shortly after The Civil War, has grown into one of the largest nationally ranked independent insurance brokerage firms in America. Still headquartered in West Point, Georgia, J. Smith Lanier & Co. has offices throughout the South and is largely owned and operated by employee shareholders through its Employee Stock Ownership Program. From humble beginnings, J. Smith Lanier & Co. continues its strong commitment to personal service and sound ethical treatment of employees and the clients to which it has been dedicated since its founding in 1868.

J. Smith Lanier & Co. Locations