Our History
The beginnings of the Rua-Dumont-Audet Insurance Agency, Inc. can be traced to the establishment of the A.L. Audet Insurance Agency, founded by Armel L. Audet, Sr. in 1908.In 1946, Armel L. Audet, Jr. joined his father in the business and the name was changed to A. L. Audet and Son Insurance Agency. Armel L. Audet, Jr. is a member of the board of trustees for Citizens-Union Savings Bank, serving as Chairman of the Auditing Committee for more than 25 years. He was a licensed real estate agent, having served as real estate agent for the City of Fall River for a number of years. He was also Assistant Registrar of Deeds for Bristol County Massachusetts.
The formation of Giroux Insurance & Real Estate dates back to the mid 1920's, established by Amiee Giroux. Later the company was run by his two sons, Andre and Paul Giroux. Andre took charge of the insurance operations, while Paul Giroux established himself as a expert in Commercial Real Estate and Commercial Appraisals. Paul Giroux continues to this day with his son Bernard P. Giroux in this field.
In 1969 Christopher P. Audet graduated with a bachelors degree from Stonehill College majoring in Business Administration He joined the family business, and continues with the firm to this day. In 1973 he graduated from the Travelers Insurance Company School for Multiple Line Agents in Hartford, Connecticut. He is a licensed insurance broker in the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. He is also a licensed real estate broker in Massachusetts. He is a corporator of the Citizens-Union Savings Bank. He is also an avid golfer and is a member of the Fall River Country Club.
In 1970 A. L. Audet and Son Insurance Agency merged with the Giroux Insurance Agency thus bringing about the joining of two separate businesses , a tactic which has become very prevalent in today's marketplace.
Over the years the agency acquired several smaller agencies, mainly the Teague, Menard and the Fortin Insurance Agencies to name a few.
In 1989, the long established Giroux-Audet Insurance Agency, Inc. merged with the Rua Insurance Agency, Inc. The Rua Insurance was comprised of John S. Rua and his two sons Jack Rua and Jason M. Rua.
John S. Rua is an industry veteran, having worked on both the Company and Agency sides of the industry. His career has come full circle. He began as a clerk in a local insurance agency in the late 1950's , later elevating to handle much of the commercial lines within the agency. In 1969 he began his underwriting career on the company side.
He held commercial lines underwriting positions with Commercial Union Insurance Company and Royal Insurance Company.
In 1971, John S. Rua returned to the insurance agency side of the business for a large commercial lines agency. He was elevated to Vice President and partner with the firm.
The next generation of the Rua family, Jack and Jason Rua have continued the tradition established by their father. Jack graduated from University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth with a bachelors degree in Business Management . Jack has established himself as a community leader.
He served as the Chairman of the Board at the Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the year 2000 and Chairman of Fall River Celebrates America Waterfront Festival in 1992. He presently holds the offices of President of The Friends Heritage State Park, and Past President of the Diabetes Association of Greater Fall River. He is Vice President of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Greater Fall River, and has served as Chairman of the United Way Annual Campaign.
In 2003 our agency suffered a tremendous loss, John M. ( Jack ) Rua lost his life in a tragic automobile accident. As one of our founding partners and a key member of our agency management team, he has left an indelible mark our agency. His tireless efforts to serve his clients and assist in the leadership of the agency have left a lasting legacy, that will be felt for many years to come.
Jason M. Rua graduated from Bridgewater State College with a bachelors degree in Management Science. He is also very involved in the community, serving as on the board of directors of the Greater Fall River United Way. He is Chairman of the Board of Directors and past Chair of both the Executive Allocation Committee and Finance Committee for the United Way. He is a past member of the board of trustees for the Marine Museum at Fall River, serving as Vice President. Jason served as President of the Fall River Area Insurance Agents Association, Inc. for several years. He currently serves as President of the Somerset Underwriters Association
He obtained his Certified Insurance Counselor designation in 1991. He successfully completed the examination for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Licensed Insurance Advisor in 2000. He also completed the Accredited Advisor in Insurance designation program from the Insurance Institute of America.
In 1998 Giroux-Audet-Rua Insurance Agency, Inc. completed the purchase of the M.D. Perry Insurance Agency of Fall River. This acquisition increased the agencies personal lines premium volume.
In 2003 the Giroux-Audet-Rua Insurance Agency was honored as Rough Notes Magazine Community Service Insurance Agency of the Year Award. This national recognition of the agency community dedication
The agency continued its growth and increased market presence with the merger of the Giroux-Audet-Rua Insurance Agency, Inc with the R.A. Dumont Insurance Agency, Inc.
The Roland A. Dumont Insurance Agency was founded by Roland Dumont in 1963 He began his career as an agent for Nationwide Insurance Company. He was a licensed real estate agent and he saw the natural progression in providing insurance services for his real estate clients. In 1967 he moved his offices to Eastern Avenue, Fall River, where the agency was located for nearly 40 years. Roland developed a niche program with homeowners insurance and received many awards with Nationwide as one of their top agents. He served on the Fall River Board of Realtors, Board of Directors of the Notre Dame Federal Credit Union, and was active in the Fall River Boys and Girls Club.
Michelle A. ( Dumont) Vezina, a graduate of Providence College, joined her father's agency in September 1984. She enrolled in Nationwide New Agent Development Program, providing both technical and sales training to it's candidates. She received the NADP Agent of the Year Award and completed the program in 1987, Michelle received the Certified Insurance Counselor Designation in 1995. She currently serves as Vice President of the Fall River Insurance Agents Association. Michelle Vezina, Jason and Jack Rua were instrumental in reviving the Fall River Insurance Agents Association after a period of inactivity
In 1989 the R. A. Dumont Insurance Agency evolved from a Nationwide Insurance to an Independent Agency representing several companies such as Union Mutual which we still represent to this day.
In 1993, the agency lost its founder. Roland Dumont was diagnosed and died from brain cancer. Michelle assumed the responsibilities as the agency President, and continued the family tradition.
Under the leadership team of Jason M. Rua and Michelle A. Vezina the agency is poised for growth and stability for many years to come...
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