Agency Timeline
A reputation built one customer at a time.
Since becoming the Noyle W Johnson Insurance Agency in 1951, we’ve grown from two to just under 50 employees in three locations and we continue to expand. That’s a testament to our customers’ trust and satisfaction. We’ve achieved that through dedicated leadership, a commitment to serving our communities, always offering the best products and services available and having experienced agents and staff. We take pride in our organization, its history and its future and we look forward to showing you why.
1876
The agency was started in the quiet town of Plainfield, VT by the Gale family as a secondary business to their hardware store. This startup had a relationship with the Union Mutual Insurance Co. in Montpelier which was founded in 1875. The Gale Agency was one of their first appointments.
1876 to 1951
During this period the agency was run as a secondary business by several merchants in Plainfield.
1951
With only 10 policies, Noyle Johnson acquired the agency from his father-in-law, Orlando Martin, a prominent statesman and Plainfield businessman. The agency became known as the Noyle Johnson Insurance Agency with offices in the large brick house on High Street (US Rt.2) in Plainfield.
In no time, with Noyle’s full-time focus, the business increased ten-fold. During the next 25 years, Noyle purchased several small local agencies to supplement his growing agency, one of which was the Morse Agency in Danville, Vt., now known as the Sawyer Agency.
1967
Noyle hired Carroll Ayer, Jr. (current Vice President Tim Ayer’s father) to promote property and casualty sales and expand into Barre and Montpelier where Carroll was well known.
1973
Wanting to expand the agency with financial services and a life insurance department, Noyle filled this role by recruiting Peter O. Hood who was at that time selling life products for the Aetna Insurance Co.
1975
Noyle sold the agency, including the brick office building, to Carroll and Peter.
1980
Carroll’s son, Tim, newly graduated from Bishop University, joined the agency team.
1985
Peter and Tim purchased Carroll’s shares, and John Blackmore joined the agency.
1989
John and Joanne Edwards (a long time employee) became shareholders with Peter and Tim.
1990
The agency opened a branch office on Elm St. in Montpelier with Tim as manager.
1991
David O’Brien joined the agency as a producer.
1993
John Blackmore moved to Danville, Vt. and became a branch manager of the Sawyer Agency.
1994
A big year for the Noyle W Johnson Insurance Agency: The Plainfield and Elm St. Offices were closed and merged into the current location at 119 River St. in Montpelier. At that time, the agency reorganized and departmentalized, enabling further expansion and more efficient work structure.
2004
The Ritchie Agency in W. Barnett was purchased and, along with most of their staff, merged with the Danville location, changing the name to Sawyer and Ritchie Insurance Agency.
2005
David O’Brien became an owner and part of the management team.
2006
Sean Starr and Cody Patno join the agency.
2007
Berg, Carmolli & Kent was added to Noyle Johnson Group increasing our presence in Central Vermont.
2011
Sean Starr becomes an owner and takes over management of the Barre office.
2012
Peter Hood retires after 39 years with the Noyle Johnson Group.
2016
Cody Patno becomes and owner and moves from Montpelier to the Danville office
2017
The Barre office merges into Montpelier location.
2022
Noyle Johnson Insurance joins Alera Group