A tradition is a practice, custom, or story that is memorized and passed down from generation to generation. The Becker McLean Insurance Company is a perfect example of a family owned and operated business that has been handed down through three generations and survived five. John E. Becker II, better known as (Jeb), is president of the Becker McLean Company in Waterloo and the Gay & Sons Agency in Seneca Falls. 

Jeb Becker said “These two businesses are the oldest insurance agencies in Seneca County dating back to 1840 when Sterling Goodale Hadley, an attorney and judge decided to start a side business selling fire insurance. This business was later purchased by Martha McLean and then sold to my grandfather John E. Becker in 1910, hence the company name today. In 1935 my father John C. Becker took over the business and ran it for the next 26 years until I joined him after college in 1961. I was very close to my Grandfather and Father. We all belong to the same college fraternity Psi Upsilon where I have continued my service as Psi chapter alumni president for the past 25 years and the Psi Upsilon Executive Council for more than 12 years. An interesting fact is that Sterling Goodale Hadley, owner of the first agency, was one of the founders of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity that my grandfather, father and I hold so dear.”

In 1969 Jeb and his father bought the Gay & Son agency in Seneca Falls so Jeb could run this location while his father managed the Waterloo agency. The Gay & Son agency was started in 1891 by John Gay. It was later sold to two of the business secretaries Helen Reagan and Bernice Burtless.

Today, both businesses are wholly owned by Lake Country Associates, Inc. with Jeb Becker as president. Under this corporate umbrella are five more insurance companies including one in Auburn, Cato, Union Springs, Ithaca, and Waterloo. Lake Country Associates also has a formal affiliation with agencies in Liverpool and North Syracuse. Charlie Becker, Jeb’s brother, runs the Ithaca agency and is Treasurer of Lake Country Associates.

Jeb Becker has a long list of firsts. In 1972 he was the first Seneca County Chamber president which included the southern part of the county. In the mid 1970’s, Jeb was the first president of the IDA (Industrial Development Agency). He is currently president of Seneca County House of Concern and immediate past president of the Seneca Falls Historical Society. Jeb is past president of the NYS Independent Insurance Agents and the local ARC Board. Added to this list of accolades’, he is an active board member for United Way, the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment board, the Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Seneca Falls and is a board member and regional vice president of NYSARC.

For the business’s success and service to the community over the last three generations, the Chamber is proud to recognize the Becker McLean Company and the Gay & Sons Agency as its September Businesses of the Month. The Business of the Month is sponsored by the Finger Lakes Times.