our roots ARE deep

Sammons Enterprises was founded by Charles A. Sammons. The company’s roots originate in Dallas, Texas, where Mr. Sammons began Reserve Life Insurance Company in 1938. 

 

In the early 1950s, Mr. Sammons began to diversify the company’s operations, purchasing interests in the communications, industrial products distribution, insurance, travel and hospitality industries. Under Mr. Sammons’ leadership, his pioneering companies built success stories in each of these industries. By the 1980s, Sammons Enterprises created a conglomeration of close to 70 companies. 

 

A key moment in the company's history took place in 1978 when Mr. Sammons launched the company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), creating a new ownership model for the company.  The ESOP was designed to support the creation of an employee-focused culture and an extraordinary retirement benefit. Today the ESOP model continues to shape the way company leadership makes decisions, as well as day-to-day operations within business units. 

 

Mr. Sammons passed away in 1988, leaving the company under the leadership of his wife, Elaine Sammons. She provided the company with guidance until her death in 2009. Since the passing of Mrs. Sammons, the company has evolved, focusing on four core business lines, and growing the companies within its holding companies, while in many ways remaining committed to the philosophies of our founder.