WELLINGTON, FLA. — Residents in and around Wellington now can experience a better way to buy insurance for their homes, vehicles and much more. Business partners and now Brightway Agency Owners, Gilles Gillesen and Bill Thomas, opened Brightway, The Gillesen and Thomas Agency in Wellington today.
“Opening a Brightway Insurance Agency in our community gives us a meaningful way to help our friends and neighbors protect their financial futures, and Brightway provides a model and suite of support that help us do that with an unparalleled level of customer focus,” said Thomas. “It’s a real win for local consumers because they now have access to more choice of insurance brands and expert counsel, and in South Florida having the right coverage to protect your assets is vital.”
An attorney in Florida and New York, Thomas has been practicing real estate law and advising clients on obtaining necessary insurance coverage for their business and personal needs for 18 years. He is also the owner of a real estate brokerage that sells businesses and recently published a book that is a how-to guide for training new business brokers titled, The Six Figure Business Broker. Born and raised in New York, Thomas went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Queens College in Flushing, N.Y., and a law degree from St. John’s University in Jamaica, N.Y. Thomas and wife, Aleyka, of 25 years have one daughter. They have lived in Wellington for 13 years and enjoy playing golf and watching horse shows and polo matches together. Thomas is also an airplane pilot and instructor.
A native of Norway, Gillesen brings 20 years of business ownership and commerce experience to Brightway. He moved to South Florida three years ago. Gillesen studied at Aalesund University College in Ålesund, Norway. He speaks English and Norwegian and in 2010, Ernst & Young named him the Mid-Norway Entrepreneur of the Year. As Brightway Agency Owners, Gillesen and Thomas look forward to building a business enterprise through Brightway.
“Bill Thomas and Gilles Gillesen have been tremendously successful in their careers, and we look forward to supporting their next fruitful business venture,” said Brightway President, Talman Howard. “Hundreds of insurance professionals stand ready to provide world-class service to their customers and to help them grow their business enterprise.”
Brightway Agency Owners enjoy comprehensive business support including customer service, carrier relationships, marketing, accounting and technology. As a result, Brightway agencies consistently outsell other insurance agencies three-to-one.*
Brightway, The Gillesen and Thomas Agency is located at 3380 Fairlane Farms Road, Suite 1 in Wellington (on the east side of Village Park). The Agency offers customized Home, Condo, Renters, Auto, Flood, RV, Motorcycle, Boat, Life and Umbrella insurance policies from numerous insurance brands including American Integrity, Bankers, Burns and Wilcox, Cypress, Dixon Wells, Foremost, Johnson & Johnson and Progressive. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (EST).
About Brightway Insurance
Brightway Insurance is a national property/casualty insurance retailer selling through a network of franchised independent stores throughout the country. With more than $559 million in annualized written premium, the company is one of the largest personal lines agencies in the United States. Brightway provides its franchise owners with access to more insurance companies than any other agency, along with a comprehensive system of support that frees them up to focus on customizing policies that meet their customers’ needs.
Brightway began franchising operations in 2008 and has since grown to more than 800 people in 21 states serving customers in all 50 states. Forbes has recognized the company as America’s No. 1 Franchise to Buy. Additionally, the company was named a top franchise three years in a row by Entrepreneur magazine and one of the fastest-growing private companies in America nine consecutive years by Inc. 5000.
For more information about Brightway, The Gillesen and Thomas Agency, visit BrightwayGillesenThomas.com or call 561-331-6652. Learn more about franchise opportunities with Brightway at BrightwayDifference.com.
