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    Our Company History

    Our Company History


    1962


    Lee Ryan and his wife, Donna, start The Ryan Agency after being recruited right off the family farm in Almond. Lee becomes a part-time agent working out of their Karr Valley home.


    1963


    The Ryan Agency opens an office attached to their new home on Main St. in Almond.

    1975


    A Main St. location in the city of Hornell is purchased to accommodate further expansion and increase visibility.


    1986


    A Canisteo Agency is bought and located at 38 Main St. Lee’s son, Jeff, owns and operates this location.


    1990


    Lee purchases a condemned building on the corner of Church St. and Genesee St. in Hornell. A modern single-story office is built on the site to better serve our clients.


    1994


    After 32 years of service Lee and Donna retire and the Hornell location is purchased by Jeff Ryan.


    1998


    The Ryan Agency merges the Canisteo and Hornell offices upon transitioning into an Independent Agency.


    2006


    To accommodate a growing client base the agency is moved to a larger, more centrally-located office building at 57 Broadway Mall in Hornell.


    2013

    The Ryan Agency merges with The Manley Agency on State Route 417 in Jasper, New York. We sincerely appreciate our clients down in the southern portion of Steuben County.

    2017

    The Ryan Agency merges with the CHG Insurance Agency on 186 S. Main Street in Wellsville, New York. The agency adds to the already large number of Allegany County clients we are proud to serve.



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    A Business, A Legacy, A Long-Lost Sign

    March 11, 2025
    The year 1962 was marked by historic events—from the Cuban Missile Crisis to the passing of Marilyn Monroe. But while the world focused on these headlines, Lee A. Ryan was working alongside his brothers on my grandparents' farm when an unexpected opportunity arose—an invitation to join the insurance business. With no prior experience, no clients, and limited resources, my dad took a leap of faith and partnered with Nationwide Insurance to start an agency from scratch. Operating out of his home on Karr Valley Road in Almond, NY, he built his business one relationship at a time (some of whom are still clients!), laying the foundation for what would become a lasting legacy.
    “Am I covered if I drive someone else’s car?” Or, “Am I covered if someone else drives mine?”

    “Am I covered if I drive someone else’s car?” Or, “Am I covered if someone else drives mine?”

    By Jeff Ryan • February 3, 2025
    “Am I covered if I drive someone else’s car?” Or, “Am I covered if someone else drives mine?”
    Many don’t realize that the insurance industry is one of the country's most regulated business segme

    How is the insurance industry held accountable to protect policyholders?

    By Jeff Ryan - CLU, ChFC, AIA, CIC, CPCU • January 21, 2025
    Many don’t realize that the insurance industry is one of the country's most regulated business segments, especially in New York State. The New York State Department of Financial Services (NYS DFS) wields significant control over the insurance business and has a stated goal of protecting consumers.
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