The BGH Legacy

BGH Legacy Group is so much more than a company name—our initials represent the heart and soul of our business, the people who made our firm what it is today.

Gary Hunter, my dad, worked for New York Life for nearly 38 years before he passed away at age 62. As a child, I often accompanied him at corporate meetings, and one day during a Chairman’s Council meeting in Switzerland, my father and I rode on an elevator with the then-president and another agent. The other agent turned to the council president and asked her how she became so successful in the investment and insurance business. To my surprise, this woman said, “I just know a lot of people—but if you really want to learn about investments¹, you should talk to Gary.”

My dad knew his stuff, but more than that, he loved his clients like family. He passed away in 2008, and clients still mention my dad’s corny jokes and ask about my mom, who was once his office manager. There’s not a day that goes by that I’m not grateful for the chance to carry on his legacy. Life insurance may not be sexy, but I’ve seen firsthand the impact it has on families. When my dad died, my mom was able to carry on without the burden of financial worry because my dad practiced what he preached. He took care of people, plain and simple, and now I get to help others do the same for their families.

In 2000, my dad had the opportunity to ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange—at the time, he was the only New York Life agent from Idaho to do so. In 2020, I became the second New York Life agent from Idaho to ring the bell—and I can say with confidence, that won’t be the last time I follow in my father’s footsteps.

In my dad’s prime, he faced some friendly Boise competition from a man named Thomas Dater. Tom was a life insurance man through and through, and he worked for New York Life for 50 years before he retired. Tom knew my father and respected his business, and he watched our firm grow as I took over my dad’s practice. When Tom decided to step down in 2016, he offered us his book of business. He told us he knew we would take care of his clients, and that was all that mattered to him. For that, I am honored and forever grateful to Tom and his trust in our firm.

When my husband John was looking for a career change (okay, I’ll admit—I was looking for him to have a career change), I knew there was only one answer. The legacy my father passed on to me had become so special to me, and I wanted John to be a part of it. All it took was one client meeting in Montana—where he discovered that five of my clients had crafted a handmade quilt for our wedding—to get him on board. He saw that this was about much more than money—it was about people helping people—and he was ready to be a part of the company legacy.

It’s safe to say that this business means a lot to us. And by that, I mean, you mean a lot to us. Our people—clients, family members, the BGH team (past and present)—are what this is all about. And we’re looking forward to growing with you for years to come.