Our Company
In 1947 Sam Shepard opened an insurance agency in Erie, Pennsylvania which for the next forty-nine years would lay the groundwork for the present day Cronk Insurance Inc. When Sam retired in 1976, David Cronk purchased the agency and for two years operated under the same name. In 1978, the name was then changed to the David M. Cronk Agency.
During the 1980's the agency experienced internal growth and also purchased other local independent agencies including the William J. Dailey Agency. Longtime employee and agent Joann Bundas became a fixture in the office since starting with Sam Shepard in 1967. Her sister Janet then came on board and the two worked in assisting and servicing our clients insurance needs for over 15 years. Joann alone worked for the agency for over 40 years before retiring in 2008.
In 1993 Erik Cronk joined the team. His primary focus was developing new personal and commercial clients for the agency with an eye towards agency perpetuation. In January 2003, The David M. Cronk Agency was incorporated into the present day Cronk Insurance Inc. In April of 2004, David Cronk retired and sold the agency to his son Erik, who to this day holds the title of President and owner.
2011 brought about the most changes in the history of the agency. In July, long time local agency Bay Area Insurance Services, Inc was purchased and it's operations were merged into ours. Wilson S. "Bill" Sherwood and Mark Kramer were added to our staff adding many years of experience to the agency. We added many new companies to our lineup and also strengthened some existing company relationships.
With this acquisition and our subsequent need for more space to serve our clients better, both agencies relocated to 1444 West 38th Street in Erie near the intersection of West 38th and Washington Avenue. With over 2,500 square feet of renovated office space we are now ready to serve you in a truly efficient and professional manner.
We take pride in our history of being a family-run business and still subscribe to the same basic principles that have served us well for over 60 years. In a day and age where technology seems to make business relationships more informal, we'd like to think that's what makes us......and keeps us......different from our competition.
Erik Cronk
Lifetime resident of Erie and graduated from McDowell High School in 1987. Attended Clarion University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Finance. After working for a year with Prudential as a sales representative, Erik joined Cronk Insurance in 1993 as a sales representative developing both personal and commercial lines accounts. In 2004 he purchased the agency when his father (David Cronk) retired.
Erik is married with two childen and lives in West Millcreek. His interests include fly fishing, fly tying, archery hunting, Buffalo Bills football and youth sports.
Brian Johnson
Brian is a lifetime resident of Erie, and graduated from Tech Memorial High School in 1980. He then attended Edinboro University. He completed his investment & insurance licensing in 1990 and worked for a large national company for 7 years before joining Cronk Insurance in 1997. Brian assists clients within the financial services field along with life, health disability and long term care insurance.
Brian is married with three children and lives in West Millcreek. Brian spends his personal time golfing, coaching youth sports and attending high school athletic events.
Sandy Hultberg
Lifetime resident of Erie and graduated from General McLane High School. During that time she attended Erie County Vocational Tech School for Cosmetology where she earned her cosmetology license and worked for a local beauty salon. A career change took her to Select Business Services where for 16 years she managed and helped grow the business from 3 to over 30 employees. She joined Cronk Insurance in 2003.
Sandy is married with one child and lives in McKean. She enjoys family, reading, traveling and gardening.
Renee Combs
Originally from Western New York State and has resided in Erie County since 2007. Graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 1989 with a BA in Psychology. After managing a jewelry store for several years Renee became a licensed insurance agent in 1998 and worked for two agencies: one in Pennsyvlania and the other in Virginia. Renee joined Cronk Insurance in 2008 after relocating back to the area. She is working towards obtaining her CISR designation.
Renee is married with 4 step-children and 5 grandchildren whom she enjoys spending time with. She lives in McKean. Her other interests include reading, cooking, bicycling and hiking.
Wilson S. "Bill" Sherwood, CIC, CPIA
Originally the owner of Bay Area Insurance Services, Inc. Bill brings over 40 years experience at servicing the business and personal insurance needs of his clients. Bill and his family have lived in the Erie area for the past 23 years and currently reside in Fairview.
Bills other interests include his church, Rotary International, fishing and his grandchildren.
Mark C. Kramer, CISR
Lifetime resident of Girard, and graduated from Girard High School in 1984. Attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, with a minor in Mathematics. Mark was licensed in 1990, and joined Bay Area Insurance Services in 1993 after working for another local agency for 5 years. He obtained his Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation in 1997, and is currently working on obtaining the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation.
Mark is married, with one daughter, and lives in Girard. His interests include woodworking and home improvement projects.
