Fidelity History
Fidelity Associates Insurance and Financial Services, led by four generations of the Jones Family, has served individuals and businesses in the Pacific Northwest for more than a century since its inception in 1906.
Company founder Fred K. Jones was a Massachusetts native and Harvard graduate who “discovered” Spokane while working for the Northern Pacific Railroad. He moved his family to Spokane and purchased the Trustee Company, which formed in 1906 as a Real Estate Investment Trust to manage five downtown buildings in Spokane on behalf of the owners.
Fred was one of the pioneer civic leaders in Spokane, serving as President of the Spokane Chamber of Commerce, Potentate of El Katif Shrine, and as the only Spokane citizen ever to serve on the International Board of Directors for Rotary.
The company’s name was changed to Central Business Property Co. and in 1946 Fred turned over management of the company to his son, Kennard, a newly-discharged World War II Army officer.
Central Business Property Co. purchased several small local insurance agencies over the next few years, including Fidelity Associates, then the insurance arm of Fidelity Mutual Savings Bank. The insurance operations were consolidated under the Fidelity Associates name.
Kennard's eldest son, Barry, joined the family firm in 1957 as manager of the insurance department. Under Barry’s leadership, the company began its long and successful growth. Although Barry had assumed the leadership role from his father, Kennard continued to come into the office every day until he was 92 years old.
In the early 1980's, two of Barry's sons, Scott and Craig, joined the family firm. Scott is the President/CEO and Craig is Vice President and Commercial Marketing Manager. Both Barry and Craig service a large number of personal and commercial accounts.
Under successive generations of leadership, Fidelity has nurtured a reputation for professional integrity, innovative business practices and industry expertise. This has fueled continued growth in the offering of products and services to meet the increasingly complex and diverse needs of Fidelity customers.
Although the business has grown steadily, the Jones family has made certain that customers continue to receive the personalized service that has been the key to Fidelity’s success.
Many family businesses last only a generation or two. Chairman Barry Jones credits hard work and respect for the Jones family’s ability to grow the business through four generations. "It works because the family has worked to make it work," said Barry. "We respect each other as business partners."
Each generation of the Jones family has left its mark, modernizing business practices while nurturing family and business relationships nearly as old as the city itself.
