About Us

Service From our Family to Yours

Walsh Duffield is more than just an insurance agency. We are a fifth-generation family-owned business that has helped countless families and businesses since 1860, creating a legacy of helping others through both disasters and victories. We take our work seriously.

Though our scope and reach are large, we still think of ourselves as a small business. That means from the everyday occurrence to the bigger challenges, we get the call. We can then put our knowledgeable team, consisting of more than 100 associates with years of extensive experience, into action.

We are proud to be problem solvers who listen, evaluate, and guide you and your family or your business. Walsh Duffield maintains partnerships with some of the strongest and largest insurance carriers in the country, giving us flexibility and the ability to provide national support to our clients as we collaborate on an insurance program. Together, with our partners and customers, we are creating a community that is safe and well.

Serving Western New York
and Beyond

With our roots in Buffalo, NY, we are proud to have three office locations – representing you throughout the Buffalo, Rochester, and Medina areas.

people riding their bikes

Buffalo, NY

716-853-3820

801 Main St.
Buffalo, NY 14203

Directions
Walsh Duffield building in Rochester, NY

Rochester, NY

585-586-8000

155 Culver Road,
Suite 200,
Rochester, NY 14620

Directions
Town of Medina

Medina, NY

585-798-2660

534 Main St.
Medina, NY 14103

Directions

What’s Happening at Walsh

Our family does business for yours. With our fifth-generation of leadership in place, we feel positive about our future as we continue to grow to better suit your needs.

faded image of walsh leadership

Our Mission

We aim to provide insurance solutions that keep you safe and well.

At Walsh Duffield, we provide you with access to the group benefits and insurance products that you or your company may need from the nation’s leading carriers. It is our mission to guide, educate, and advise you on making the best decisions regarding your insurance options as we help manage risk to keep you safe and well.

Our Leadership Team

John Walsh headshot

John N. Walsh III – J.D., CIC

Chairman
Jack Walsh represents the fourth generation of leadership at Walsh Duffield. In partnership with talented and dedicated associates, he has proudly seen the agency grow significantly in size and stature. Today, Walsh Duffield stands as one of the most respected insurance brokers in Western New York. A graduate of Nichols School, Yale University, and Harvard Law School, Jack worked for Citibank in New York City and for Aetna Life and Casualty Company in Hartford before returning to Buffalo, NY in 1973 to join his father and uncle in the family business. As recognized leaders in the Western New York volunteer community, Jack and his associates are committed to providing top-notch professional service to the agency's corporate and individual customers.
Edward Walsh Headshot

Edward F. Walsh, Jr. – CPCU, CIC

Chief Executive Officer
As the Chief Executive Officer of Walsh Duffield, Ted is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the firm, as well as establishing and strengthening partnerships between carriers and clients.  Ted graduated from Nichols School and Williams College and began his insurance career in 1976 in a management training program with the Continental Insurance Company before joining Walsh Duffield in 1977.  Ted has frequently been a member on regional and national producer councils for many carriers.  Philanthropy is important to Ted, and he has been an active community volunteer for over 35 years, holding leadership positions at many organizations throughout Western New York.
Michael Walsh Headshot

Michael K. Walsh

Executive Vice President, Secretary
Michael Walsh joined Walsh Duffield in 1978 after graduating from Nichols School and Yale University.  As Executive Vice President, he works closely with a broad cross-section of clients, both commercial and personal, to help them manage their risk. Outside of his duties at Walsh Duffield, Michael has been very active in providing leadership at the board level for a number of Western New York non-profit organizations. He continues to be a long-time board member of and former board chair for both Child & Family Services and the YMCA of Buffalo Niagara. In addition, he currently serves as Board Chair for both Child & Family Services Foundation and Medaille College, and formerly served on the boards of Nichols School, Nardin Academy, Legal Aid Bureau of WNY and Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center.
Therdore Walsh headshot

Theodore B.K. Walsh, MBA

Executive Vice President, Rochester Market Leader
Barney joined Walsh Duffield in 1998 and has focused his energies principally on sales management, agency administration and growth through acquisitions with the full support and involvement of his fellow associates. All of these strategic acquisitions have contributed to growth in the agency over the last two decades. Prior to joining Walsh Duffield, Barney was President and COO of Bryant & Stratton College. Barney is a graduate of Williams College, and the Yale School of Management and is an active volunteer for non-profit organizations across Western New York.
Sean Keenan Headshot

Sean P. Keenan – CPCU

President & Chief Operating Officer
As President & Chief Operating Officer of Walsh Duffield, Sean Keenan is responsible for operational oversight, sales and account planning for personal and commercial clients. In this role, he is dedicated to developing a true understanding of each client’s needs and implementing successful risk management solutions to protect them financially. Sean represents the fifth generation of the Walsh family to run the agency. Prior to joining Walsh Duffield, Sean worked as a Property Claim Adjuster for Travelers Insurance in Boston, MA. Sean successfully completed the Leadership Buffalo Rising Leaders program and currently serves on the boards of Every Person Influences Children (EPIC) and Kaleida Health Foundation. A graduate of Williams College with a Bachelor of Arts degree, he earned his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 2016.  
Christopher Kempton Headshot

Christopher Kempton – C(k)P®, CLU®, ChFC®

Executive Vice President, Director of Business Development
Chris Kempton joined Walsh Duffield Companies, Inc. in 2001 and is responsible for guiding the sales efforts across the agency.  As Director of Business Development, Chris helps Walsh Duffield remain focused on strategy, client support and profitable growth. He spent 19 years with the agency building Walsh Duffield's employee benefit practice before transitioning to this role.  Prior to joining the agency, he served as a Vice President for Principal Financial Group for 11 years. In this role, he was responsible for marketing and servicing the firm's employee benefits product portfolio. Outside of work, Chris currently serves on the board of directors for Clarence Industrial Development Agency and Schofield Residence. He is also an active United Way volunteer. Chris is a 1986 graduate of St. Bonaventure University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, as well as a 1990 graduate of Canisius College with an MBA degree in Finance. He resides with his wife and four children in Clarence, NY.

Our Strategic Partners

  • Gary Wilkins Headshot

    Gary Wilkins, CIC

    Owner, Wilkins Insurance Agency

    Gary works closely with the Walsh Duffield team as a strategic partner to the agency.

  • James Michles Headshot

    James Mickles, CLU

    Owner, Mickles Insurance Agency

    Jim works closely with the Walsh Duffield team as a strategic partner to the agency.

Gary Wilkins Headshot

Gary Wilkins, CIC

Owner, Wilkins Insurance Agency
Gary works closely with the Walsh Duffield team as a strategic partner to the agency.
James Michles Headshot

James Mickles, CLU

Owner, Mickles Insurance Agency
Jim works closely with the Walsh Duffield team as a strategic partner to the agency.

Our Vision & Values

By honoring our core values, we have the vision of becoming the preeminent insurance advisor in Upstate New York. At Walsh Duffield, we adhere to these values with every interaction:

Integrity

 Be honest, open, transparent and above all – do the right thing. 

Inclusion

Respect and celebrate each other’s uniqueness, welcome new perspectives.

Evolution

Stay curious and embrace challenges to help us exceed our client’s expectations.

Support

Lead with empathy and have compassion for our clients, our colleagues, and our communities.

Wellbeing

Prioritize your own physical, mental, and financial health.

 

Our Roots

160 Years and Counting

The history of Walsh Duffield lends hand to incredible people with incredible visions – and our timeline is still growing.