We had the good fortune of connecting with Hal Rochkind and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hal, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
We are super involved in our community. Rochkind Insurance just donated $2,000.00 to our local Galveston’s Own Farmers Market as a match to solicit other donations. Personally, I have been on the board of directors and president of many local non-profits including Galveston Island Meals on Wheels, Galveston Historical Foundation, Galveston ISD Educational Foundation, Rotary Club of Galveston Island. I was the Campaign Chairman of the United Way of Galveston’s Annual capital campaign and we raised over $1,000,000.00! I am also a past president of the Knights of Momus, Galveston’s oldest and grandest Mardi Gras krewe.

What should our readers know about your business?
Rochkind Insurance on Galveston Island just celebrated our 35th Anniversary in July 2022. We are a family owned insurance company who specializes in windstorm and flood insurance which in coastal Texas is also known as hurricane insurance. My family has been in Galveston since the 1890s and we have weathered some hurricanes. In 2020 we published children’s like picture book called The ABCs of Insurance in Galveston. The book in very simple terms explains the different types of insurance required to buy home in Galveston since homeowners policies in coastal Texas exclude windstorm & hail coverage. My first job out of college was working in the annuity underwriting department of National Western Life in Austin. After a year or so I transferred to the marketing department. From National Western, Moody Insurance Group hired me as their National Marketing Director of Life and Annuities. So when the opportunity for me to take over Rochkind Insurance, it was a great fit. I’ve learned a lot of lessons over my working career and have gotten to apply them at Rochkind Insurance- and the #1 lesson I have applied is creating a positive work environment where employees feel valued. I think we’ve done a good job of that here.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am very lucky to live and work in a place where people vacation. I would say come in the fall when the weather and water are at it’s best and the tourists have left for the season. We would absolutely hit up the Spot on Seawall Blvd for lunch and have dinner at Gaido’s which is in my opinion quintessential gulf seafood. We would hit the beach, check out the Pleasure Pier, explore Moody Gardens, and charter a boat for some offshore fishing. Drinks at the Rooftop Bar at the Tremont House and Sunday brunch buffet the Grand Galvez. We would tour some of the Galveston Historical Foundation’s gems like Bishop’s Palace and the Tall Ship Elissa, as well as the Smithsonian quality Bryan Museum. We would ride the ferry to Bolivar and look for dolphins and of course save room for ice cream from historic La King’s Confectionary on the Strand. We would get the world’s best fish tacos from Fish Company Taco and explore the shops in Galveston’s historic downtown district. And if time permits, we would catch a show at the intimate Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe. or 1892 Opera House. Then milkshakes and a BLT from Star Drug Store. Walk the east end historic districts rows and rows of fabulous Victorian homes. I really could go on.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

About 14 years ago I read Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers. This non-fiction story of success examines the factors that contribute to high levels of success. It’s an excellent read. I would also like to give a shoutout to my Galveston public school and Ball High education. It was in this wonderful, incredibly diverse setting that I learned the ability to speak and connect with all types of people. I would also like to give a shout out to my old boss Jerry Howard who was the Sr. VP of Marketing when I was a marketing assistant at National Western Life Insurance company in Austin, TX.

Website: www.InsuranceGalveston.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/rochkindinsurance

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/rochkind-insurance-agency

Facebook: www.facebook.com/InsuranceGalveston

Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/rochkind-insurance-galveston

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@insurancegalveston2140

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