Bob Dean, President and CEO
Founded Dean & Draper Insurance Agency, LP in 1980. A University of Houston graduate, Bob gained experience from more than a decade as a loss control manager. To build the agency, Bob focused on acquisitions and marketing programs, and consistently bringing new insurance companies to Dean & Draper. Dedicated to excellence, he has grown Dean & Draper to one of largest independent insurance agencies in the country with more than $100 million in sales and over 75 agents and employees. With a strong commitment to the community and the industry, Bob has served on many boards. A member of "C" Club, Bob received the National Leadership Award from the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2002. Bob has received many industry awards including; Travelers Elite Agent 1998-2004, Travelers Producer Counsel 1998-2004, and Hartford Producer Counsel 1999-2004.
Kyle Dean, MBA, CLCS, Vice President and Partner
Followed his father's foot steps by joining Dean & Draper in May of 2005. Kyle received his BA in Entrepreneurial Management from Texas Christian University (TCU) and his MBA from Texas Wesleyan University. Kyle is actively involved in the Houston Intown Chamber, Greater Southwest Houston Chamber, and the Young Agents of Houston. He currently serves on the Young Agents Advisory Council for Travelers Insurance and is a Legislative Leader for the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas. He is also a member of the Houston Business Cabinet.
Gene Darnell, Vice President and Partner, Chief Operating Officer of Benefit Solutions L.P.
Robert E. "Gene" Darnell Partner joined Dean and Draper in 1992. Life time resident of Houston Texas started his Insurance career in 1988 receiving prestigious awards including Rookie of the Year and Agent of the Month. He currently serves on the Agent Advisory Committee for several Insurance Companies and a member of the National Association of Health underwriters and Houston Association of Health Underwriters. He contributes his success to his wife Carla and his 3 wonderful children.
Ralph Howard, CIC, Executive VP, and Chief Operating Officer of D&D
Over 40 years experience in the insurance industry. Having earned the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) professional designation in 1979, he also is a licensed Risk Manager. In 2000 Ralph became affiliated with Dean & Draper Insurance Agency primarily focusing on production of commercial insurance and employee benefit programs. Currently he is an active member of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP), serving on the Board of Directors. Ralph also has chaired insurance company advisory committees and the Education Committee of CIC. Ralph's Commitment to community and family is based on his philosophy of treating people right and believes in letting clients know their business is a number one priority.
J. Mace Meeks, Vice President
Joined the Dean & Draper team in 1996. Mace has over 18 years of experience in the insurance industry. He attended Rice University on a football scholarship and participated on the indoor track team. He graduated from Rice University in 1989 with a triple major in Managerial Studies, Political Science, and Sports Management. Mace is very involved in the community and holds a number of board positions. He is a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, Houston Country Club as well as the "C" Club. Mace and his wife, Melanie, have four children. He has coached each one of his children in various sports and loves the bonding opportunity this has provided.
Gary Jensen, MBA, CPA, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
A native Texan, Gary came to Houston in 1981 and spent the next 20 plus years as an entrepreneur running his own businesses and, coincidentally, as a Dean & Draper customer. After selling his last business Gary jumped at the chance to participate in Dean & Draper's transformation into a premier player in the Insurance Industry. Since 2003 he has managed the financial growth of the agency, coordinated a number of acquisitions helping Dean & Draper earn the coveted recognition as a "Best Practices Agency" as recognized by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. Gary and his lovely wife Charlotte have four children and, at last count, nine grandchildren.
Affiliates
Anthony H. (Tony) Morelos, CIC, President of the W.E. Gibson Agency, Inc
The W.E. Gibson Agency, with offices in College Station and Navasota, became affiliated with Dean & Draper in February of 2002. Tony has over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry. Prior to his current position, Tony was Senior Vice President of Dean & Draper Insurance Agency, Inc. He owned and operated a successful independent agency (General Alliance Insurance Center) in Houston for over 25 years, which merged with Dean & Draper in January of 2000. Tony is a Past President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Houston and a former Regional Vice President of The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas. He served on the Board of The Insurance Publishing House and has written numerous articles in several trade magazines concerning insurance topics. Tony is Past President of the Navasota/Grimes County Chamber of Commerce, and Secretary of the Governance Council of Grimes St. Joseph Hospital.
A graduate of the University of Houston and has over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. Prior to joining Alpha Omega in 1984 he operated several companies in the oil and gas industry. Gary acquired Alpha Omega in 1988. Actively involved in the insurance community, he serves as the President of Safeco Insurance’s Texas Advisory Council. Gary is a designated Certified Insurance Counselor and continues to serve the community as a member on several industry councils.
Henry partnered with Dean & Draper Insurance Agency in January of 2009 to form Texas Choice Insurance Group, LP. Henry graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He gained valuable management experience in the retail industry before turning his focus to insurance. He has over 25 years of insurance experience in the greater Houston area, both in management and as a former agency owner. During his years representing Allstate Insurance, he consistently earned Key Manager, Honor Ring and also earned National Champions. Texas Choice Insurance has quickly become a dynamic force in Montgomery County where they serve not only The Woodlands and Conroe but the entire Lake Conroe area. Henry is very involved in his community, donating his time to the Conroe Chamber of Commerce and the Conroe Noon Lions Club. A member of April Sound Church, he serves as their Chairman of the Board as well as Chairman for The Lake Conroe Helping Hands Foundation. He also served two terms as Chairman of the Board for the Pregnancy Assistance Center North in The Woodlands and Conroe. He is a father of 3 and proud grandfather to 5.
