Jay Bradford

Jay Bradford hasn’t forgotten that his successful career has traveled through doors of opportunity held open by others. The 65-year-old insurance executive credits the growth of First Arkansas Insurance to a strategy of becoming such a doorman.

“I form a separate corporation for each office, find a bright, talented person, hire them and give them an ownership position that can grow into a majority position,” said Bradford, who formed the company in 1976 in Pine Bluff.

First Arkansas Insurance is now touted as the largest independent property and casualty insurance agency based in Arkansas. The firm also has offices in Little Rock, Hot Springs, Hot Springs Village, Springdale, Searcy and Dumas.

The First Arkansas family, with 100 staffers, recorded $10.3 million in revenue and more than $100 million in premiums during 2005. Bradford, CEO and chairman of the company, also has interests in First Financial Services LLC, a Little Rock life insurance concern, and Key Benefits Group of North Little Rock, which handles health and dental insurance.

He said no to an opportunity to become a farmer while working summers as a teenager following the Midwest wheat harvest. During college at Henderson State University at Arkadelphia, Bradford worked as a motel night clerk and lifeguard.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in economics, he entered the insurance business, working door-to-door sales and collections three years for Metropolitan Life Insurance.

Bradford then plied his trade with local firms before striking out on his own while pursuing an interest in public service as a Pine Bluff city councilman. Along the way, Bradford built a distinguished 22-year career as a state senator and representative.

Bradford, whose honors and awards are numerous, believes his best attribute as an executive is his nose for talent.

“I can almost always sense people who will make it,” he said.