April 10th, National Siblings Day offers a chance to celebrate the brothers and sisters who support each other in both life and business. To explore this unique bond, we spoke with three sibling teams from family-run insurance agencies.
Gracey Backer Inc.
John Gracey Backer, CPA, CEO
Katherine (Katie) Backer Moyer, President
Brightway Insurance, The Harrington Agency
Tim Harrington, Jr, Agency Owner
James Harrington, Agency Owner
Coleman Insurance
Chris Coleman, President
David Coleman, Vice President
Tell us about your family history with the insurance industry.
Gracey Backer: We are fourth-generation owners of our great-grandfather’s agency (formerly Gracey Bros.), founded in 1925. In 1946, after World War II, our grandfather, Matthew Gracey, joined the family business. Our mother, Barbara Gracey Backer, came on board in 1977, and our father, Ronald Clarence Backer, joined in 1987. They are still involved with the agency.
The Harrington Agency: Our parents met at a Mutual of Omaha agency in 1977. In 1981, our father joined Liberty Mutual and retired after 30 years. October of 2025 will be our 17th year with Brightway. We were raised in an insurance family, and it is in our blood.
Coleman Insurance: Growing up our dad had an aluminum business that put up handrails on balconies and stairwells in condos across the United States. After we both moved out of the house, he sold his business and started selling life and health insurance.
What are the benefits of working with your sibling?
The Harrington Agency: Working with family – especially a sibling – can be challenging. However, in the insurance industry, where trust, communication, and reliability are key, having a built-in partnership with someone who shares your background and values is an advantage. Years of shared communication becomes an asset when handling client relationships, making strategic decisions, and dividing responsibilities.
Coleman Insurance: The most significant benefit is trust. We both 100% trust that we are working for the same goal.
What unique strengths do you think you each bring to the table?
Gracey Backer: John – I love the sales process and have developed a system that works well for attracting new clients. Over time, I’ve built referral networks across the country. My accounting background also helps me stay organized and focused on the details.
Katie – I focus on the internal management of the office. My personality is direct, honest, kind, and decisive. My training as a teacher, and leadership experience in other ventures, have also helped me lead with strength. John and I complement each other well. We don’t overlap in our roles, and we understand that we need each other to be successful.
Coleman Insurance: David handles the commercial department, and Chris mainly focuses on accounting and HR.
What advice would you give to other families working together in insurance?
Gracey Backer: Be generous with your family members–reliable and professional. The family depends on you, so don’t take advantage of the situation. Set clear boundaries between personal and professional life and communicate openly. Celebrate each other’s achievements and avoid rushing to change the company culture. It’s also crucial to separate business from family matters.
The Harrington Agency: The advice we would give to other families working together would be to have set responsibilities for each member and be cross trained to assist as necessary.
Coleman Insurance: When David proposed we work together, I was very nervous about how it would work with business and family. But it has turned out better than I could have hoped. David took over the commercial department, driving its growth. David manages his side of the business and I manage mine, without interference. It works great as we both have individual roles and a common goal.
Do you have plans for the next generations to join the agency?
Gracey Backer: We both have young children and believe they should gain outside experience before stepping into key roles in the business. This would allow them to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the company.
The Harrington Agency: Our children are young, but with six children between us, one or two may decide to join the family business. Working with a family-run business is special; our customers tell us they feel the difference and love the atmosphere. They become part of our family, too. A family-focused approach sets us apart from other agencies.
Coleman Insurance: David’s son works within the agency, and it would be great to have another Coleman generation take the agency to the next level. I want Coleman Insurance Agency to thrive beyond my tenure and remain a community cornerstone for decades.
Thank you to all the agents who shared their stories and insights with us for National Siblings Day.
