In 1937, Ted Greenhalgh opened the doors to his Birmingham-based agency and founded a rich legacy of service. His son, Russell, joined the business in 1977. Then his grandson, Adam, followed in 2005. “Like many in this business, I didn’t grow up planning to work in insurance. But being part of a family-run agency, I quickly saw how meaningful this work is—protecting families, businesses and livelihoods,” Adam said. “Once I realized the impact we could have on people’s lives, I was all in.”

As a lifelong resident of the community he serves, Adam is deeply committed to Greenhalgh Insurance’s clients and takes pride in running a third-generation independent agency rooted in family. “This is the community I grew up in. We treat our customers with respect because they’re our neighbors, our friends. That’s how we’ve grown—by showing up and doing right by people.”

At Greenhalgh that commitment to people is internal as well. The agency is more than a business—it’s a team of 17 professionals who share a common goal—to serve clients across 20 states with integrity and care. They’ve worked hard to build a culture that empowers the whole team to thrive. “I’ve focused on hiring smart people who fit our culture and then give them the freedom to do their jobs well,” Adam said. “Our culture is centered around customer service, client retention and building lasting relationships.”

Greenhalgh is committed to putting the right people in the right roles and supporting them, both inside and outside the office. Many team members are pursuing professional designations like certified insurance counselor (CIC) and certified insurance service representative (CISR).

Investing in the right people is yielding deep connections. “We’re a third-generation independent agency that’s grown through relationships, not just transactions. Our agency was built on trust, hard work and personal service—principles we still live by today. We know our customers by name, and we aim to be there for them not just when things go well, but when life gets tough.” Sometimes assisting in a time of need is the most rewarding of all. 

For Adam, one story stands out: a devastating fire that destroyed a client’s building. “We had a longtime commercial client suffer a major fire loss. They lost everything.” Adam recalled. “But because we spent time properly structuring their coverage—and had a carrier relationship that supported them—they were able to rebuild stronger than before. That experience underscored why we do things thoroughly and fight for the right protections up front.”

That client is now thriving in a new space, and Adam said it’s moments like that which remind him why this work matters. Standing ready to respond with caring, responsive service is a priority Greenhalgh Insurance and Columbia Insurance share. “Columbia’s values align with ours—consistency, responsiveness and a long-term view. They treat us like partners, not just producers. That relationship allows us to confidently bring them into conversations with clients who need a carrier that will be there when it counts.”

Betsy Pardue Kitchens, Columbia's territory manager for Alabama, agreed. “Working with Adam and the team at Greenhalgh Insurance Agency is a true partnership in every sense. They’re not just writing business, they’re building trust, one relationship at a time. It’s a privilege to support an agency that leads with heart and delivers with excellence.”

The partnership between Greenhalgh and Columbia has already led to shared success. When a large, complex account came up with a tight deadline, Columbia’s team stepped in and helped Greenhalgh Insurance bind the policy in just one week. “It was a multiple six-figure account, which required extensive underwriting. It was a really good opportunity for our agency, and we only had a week to put it all together. Columbia really stepped up—got it all rated and quoted—and we were able to bind that account. We couldn’t have done it without Columbia’s help.”

Greenhalgh and Columbia have a promising future. Greenhalgh is focused on “continued growth—through technology, strategic partnerships and investing in the next generation of agency leadership. We believe Columbia is positioned to be a carrier of choice in that journey, and we’re excited to grow together.”

Adam credits the team for the agency’s success. “I lead the team, but I couldn’t do it without them. We’ve got really good people here—and that makes all the difference.” From grandfather to father to son, the Greenhalgh legacy lives on, rooted in family and strengthened by a talented team. “Working alongside my dad and serving the same clients my grandfather once did—it’s incredibly meaningful.”