history
LD&B was founded by Gene Diener in 1974. Gene and his wife returned to Harrisonburg, VA in 1974 after serving as missionaries in Costa Rica. Even though times were hard and few jobs were available, Gene made ends meet working in construction by day and selling life insurance in the evenings. It took time, but eventually his determination paid off and he started working full-time as an insurance agent in 1975. His creative solution to package life and health insurance together proved very successful, and Gene soon expanded into group benefits. He further differentiated himself by providing client service far beyond expectations, and his agency grew.
In 1985, Gene and his family returned to Costa Rica, and Jonas Borntrager joined the company as a part owner. Gene and Jonas created a benefits administration department in 1991 and merged with Layman Insurance Agency in 1992 to offer property and liability insurance; it was the first of many successful mergers with community agencies. The addition of a financial services division in 2011 provided the final piece of the full-service agency LD&B is today.
Gene and Jonas always looked for ways to give back to the community to which they owed their success. Together they bought and renovated an old auto dealership building in downtown Harrisonburg. Today, LD&B‘s home office is still in the same historic building on Liberty Street.
As the agency grew, Gene and Jonas attracted employees who shared their vision
of making a positive difference in the lives of their clients and in their community.
In 2004, Gene & Jonas began the process of transitioning LD&B to employee ownership.
As the agency grew, Gene and Jonas attracted employees who shared their vision of making a positive difference in the lives of their clients and in their community. In 2004, Gene & Jonas began the process of transitioning LD&B to employee ownership.
Today, the company is now 100 percent employee owned. LD&B employee owners
ensure the legacy lives on by holding tightly to the ideals of our founders — an absolute commitment to do right by our clients and to give back to our community.
Today, the company is now 100 percent employee owned. LD&B employee owners ensure the legacy lives on by holding tightly to the ideals of our founders — an absolute commitment to do right by our clients and to give back to our community.
