In May of 2016 The Partners Group hosted an event to honor one of their first generation co-founders, Bill Meacham, as he headed into retirement. Throughout his career, Meacham’s ethics, reliability and enthusiasm embodied the principals of a fine leader. The retirement toasts and stories were full of laughs and tears as Bill Meacham celebrated his transition into retirement.
Before joining The Partners Group, Bill Meacham’s long insurance career included New York Life Sales and Management, Partner at Shinstrom and Norman Agency, Founder of William Meacham Insurance, and Co-Founder of The Meacham Group with Gus Kiss (Consultant and Partner at The Partners Group), Partner at Baldwin Resource Group, which joined forces with The Partners Group in 2011. He is also a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table. Additionally, Meacham served on the board of the Health Care Committee and as general agent for Small Employer’s Group Plans of the Association of Washington Business.
Meacham served as past President of the Washington Association of Health Underwriters, where he brought industry issues benefiting employees and employers to the attention of the governor and legislators in Olympia and to congress in Washington, DC. Meacham also was a member of the International Foundation of Employee Benefits. Meacham is proud to have attended Olympic College and Washington State University, as well as his service in the Marine Corps Reserves.
During the presentation, Meacham’s coworkers, clients and long-time friends congratulated him and shared special stories from the “good ‘ol days”. Bob Norman, Partner in Shinstrom & Norman Insurance Agency with Bill from 1975-1985, spoke of his past with Bill. Bob knew Bill as a partner at Shinstrom & Norman Insurance Agency, then Bill rented space as a tenant for 10+ years after he left Shinstrom & Norman Insurance Agency and started William Meacham Insurance. Bob remembers Bill for his intellect and his integrity, stating “Bill couldn’t be held back. He had a vision for what he wanted to do and what he wanted to achieve. He could outsell anybody!”
Meacham’s clients from Lake Washington School District presented during Bill Meacham’s retirement party as well, thanking Bill for doing so much for the district in general and the employees who make the district successful. President of the Lake Washington Education Association, Kevin Teeley, said, “Bill has literally saved the lives of teachers in our school district.” The teachers from Lake Washington School District gave Bill an engraved clock that said Bill Meacham- For countless hours of advocacy for so many, Lake Washington Association Members Thank You. Jennifer Spencer, previous employee at William Meacham Insurance and currently at The Partners Group, said “You’ve been my most influential mentor, a spiritual giant, a pseudo-father, and a cherished friend.”
Founded in 1981, The Partners Group has been serving the financial and insurance needs of employers, medical professionals, and successful individuals for over 35 years. They are an independent consulting firm with over 140 employees, and services including employee benefits, business consulting, retirement planning and investment services, commercial and individual insurance. The Partners Group has offices in Bellevue, WA; Portland, OR; Lake Oswego, OR; Bend, OR; and Bozeman, MT. For more information, please visit https://www.thepartnersgroup.com. 800-722-6339.
