Scott Insurance Opens Sydnor Building in Lynchburg
Scott Insurance held a ribbon cutting and building dedication event on Wednesday, May 26, to celebrate the opening of its new building in Lynchburg. The Sydnor Building, located directly across from the company’s headquarters, is named in honor or two former Scott presidents: C. Raine Sydnor, who served as president from 1951-1974, and Walker Sydnor, who led the company from 1986-2014.
“We have named this building the Sydnor building because we highly value the legacies of both Raine and Walker, and the lasting impacts of their leadership on our company,” said current Scott president Hutch Mauck. “This building is a fantastic new asset for our company, and I am extremely proud of the vision and hard work that have culminated in this beautiful new space.”
At the event, which was attended by numerous Scott employee owners, retirees from the company and various partners involved in the building project, Walker Sydnor shared some reflections from his time with the company. “We were able to take Scott’s platform of uniqueness in the industry, bring in talent to grow the firm and maximize the value for all of the employee owners,” said Sydnor. “I am so proud of what everyone has accomplished and proud that the company has roared on since I left. I am proud to have the Sydnor name associated with Scott.”
Scott Insurance purchased the 11.66-acre property in July 2019 and retained the services of Glass & Associates, Inc, for design services and to complete significant renovations to the building. Completed, the building has 16,800 square feet and opened to Scott employee owners in December 2020.
“The proximity of this facility to our headquarters of 30 years across the street was a strong selling point to me,” remarked Keith Mann, Scott’s COO/CFO. “We have re-built this whole facility and this space is phenomenal.”
The Sydnor Building has capacity for up to 85 employee owners in a combination of offices and open working space. Additionally, the building features significant meeting space, a multipurpose room, employee break room, creative studio and locker rooms for on-site fitness and wellness activities.
About C. Raine Sydnor:
C. Raine Sydnor purchased Scott Insurance (James A. Scott & Son, Inc.) in 1951 and served as President until 1974. During Raine Sydnor’s presidency, the company experienced steady growth from a small, hometown agency to a growing innovative business. Raine Sydnor, who passed away in 1983, was instrumental in Lynchburg’s economic development in the 1950s and 1960s. He served as president of the Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce and was a director of the Virginia State Chamber, was a director of Central Fidelity Bank, served on the advisory board of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and was a long-time member of the Lynchburg College Board of Overseers.
About Walker Sydnor:
Walker Sydnor joined Scott Insurance in 1976 and became President in 1986. Under his leadership, Scott grew from a regional company to one of the largest independently-owned insurance agencies in the Southeast. During Walker’s tenure Scott Insurance expanded into North Carolina and Tennessee and grew from 30 employees to 240 employees. A graduate of Hampden-Sydney College, Walker and his wife, Sallie, reside in Lynchburg and have been active in service and philanthropy in the community over the years. Walker previously served as board chair for both Centra and the University of Lynchburg (then Lynchburg College), and was also a former campaign chair for the United Way.