By Scott Fitzgerald
Since its inception in 1916 by grain cooperatives throughout Oklahoma, six chief executive officers have served The Triangle Companies of Enid.
It’s a pretty remarkable history that shows dedication in the company’s mission and work to provide various services, programs and consultation to its more than 340 member co-ops now located in six states other than Oklahoma — Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas and Mississippi.
Dedication is not limited to the chief executive slot.
Throughout the ranks of Triangle employees, many have diligently and proudly done their jobs for years. And the co-ops they serve have had ties to the company — some for more than a half-century.
“We’ve been fortunate with our client base. There are some we’ve had for 60 years,” said Bruce Simon, vice president of marketing/agency operations.
Simon is no slouch himself. He’s been with the cooperative services company for 26 years.
“We know the agriculture business. I can’t believe there is a better company out there to work for,” Simon said.
Joining Simon for a brief moment to reflect on their careers with Triangle, which has currently sold $51 million in premiums, are 24-year veteran Sandra Miles, a li-censed adjuster, and benefits specialist Connie Williams who joined Triangle in March 1979, eight months before Simon came aboard.
“When I became an employee, I fully intended to retire here,” Williams said.
“There has always been a strong foundation here. We strive to be kind, courteous and tailor to our clients’ needs,” Miles said.
The man who has guided Triangle to a rapid expansion in diversification and growth is its current chief executive officer John Berg.
He is a courteous, low-key man who traveled to Mississippi last summer to help clients who were battered by the Gulf Coast storms Rita and Katrina.
In light of the havoc that gave way to a frightening sense of hysteria of just how powerful Mother Nature can be, Berg said he and other Triangle agents kept their composure by immediately helping clients with their claims and generating money for their losses.
“We’ve always taken the common sense approach. We look for the right things and look for the long-term,” Berg said.
Under Berg’s guidance beginning in 1997, Triangle has seen its employee base more than double. It has expanded its home office at 2821 N. Van Buren nearly three-fold. And it has upgraded its A.M. Best rating that is a benchmark for the insurance industry.
The cooperative service company is preparing to celebrate its 90th birthday during its annual meeting on April 27 in the Chisholm Trail Expo Center Pavilion.
Stan Clark, who founded the nationally renowned Eskimo Joe’s of Stillwater in 1975 and has since expanded his empire into a multi-million industry, will be guest speaker.
