2025 Business of the Year - Whitaker-Myers Group
Congratulations to Whitaker-Myers Group on being named the 2025 Business of the Year Award recipient!
Seth Buckwalter
Owner & President
With over 150 years of service, Whitaker-Myers Group stands as one of Wooster’s oldest and most trusted insurance agencies. The firm offers a variety of services, including insurance, benefits, wealth management, and tax. With a focus on building strong client relationships and unwavering community support, Whitaker-Myers has been named the 2025 Business of the Year.
Established in 1869 and 1870, W.G. Whitaker Agency and W.C. Myers Agency each built solid reputations before merging in 1970 to form Whitaker-Myers Group.
Over the decades, the agency expanded through key acquisitions and mergers, broadening its services and regional footprint. Among its earliest contracts was Westfield Group, a partnership that remains strong today. The firm also maintains a 100-year relationship with The Wooster Brush Company.
Whitaker-Myers has been shaped by the legacy of leaders who have upheld its guiding principles for generations, providing trusted financial guidance while remaining firmly rooted in the community.
Scott Allen joined Whitaker-Myers in 1985, and in 1990, he and Scott Young took ownership, ushering in a new era of growth. In 1998, they were joined by John McCord, following a merger with Insurance Showcase Agency, which helped solidify the agency’s presence in the region.
In 2005, Young’s son-in-law, Ryan Emmons, joined the agency, followed by Allen’s son-in-law, Seth Buckwalter, in 2017. Chris Vanderzyden joined the group in 2006 to establish the Group and Individual Benefits and Medicare Division. Today, Emmons, Buckwalter, and Vanderzyden share ownership of the firm, with Buckwalter serving as president. Whitaker-Myers further expanded its services in 2015 with the launch of a Wealth Management Division, led by John-Mark Young, and in 2021, under the direction of Chief Financial Officer Kage Rush, introduced a tax preparation and advisory division.
The firm has around 50 employees, each specializing within their respective division and contributing to the company’s overall success. Whitaker-Myers prioritizes taking care of its employees, believing that by investing in them, they can better serve their clients. Withstanding the test of time, the firm has proven to be a trusted partner, thanks to the outstanding service of its team.
“This is a team award,” said Buckwalter. “It’s an incredible honor and certainly a testament to all of the [former owners] that went before me.”
Buckwalter grew up in Wooster and attended Wooster High School alongside his wife, Betsy. The high school sweethearts went on to attend Miami University together, where Buckwalter earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He began his career in sales within the healthcare industry but ultimately returned to Wooster to join the family business and deepen his community involvement. He sees the team at Whitaker-Myers as family in both a literal and figurative sense, working alongside his father-in-law, wife, brother, and brothers-in-law.
Beyond his role at Whitaker-Myers, Buckwalter actively serves as an elder at Oaks Church and sits on the boards of West View Healthy Living, The Village Network, and the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce. A 2019 Leadership Wooster graduate, he volunteers annually at Woosterfest and Wayne County Home & Garden Show with his three children to encourage “involvement that seeks nothing in return.”
Whitaker-Myers has a long-standing relationship with the Wooster Chamber as a key partner in fostering local business success. Buckwalter emphasized that joining the Chamber is an essential way to play a role in the city’s continued growth. Former agency owner Scott Allen served as the Chamber Board Chair in 1998, setting an example of servant leadership for his team. Today, Whitaker-Myers remains actively involved, participating in the Chamber’s Annual Golf Outing and supporting events through sponsorship.
The firm also stays deeply engaged with organizations like United Way, Wooster City Schools, Wooster Youth Baseball, the Christian Children’s Home of Ohio, and The Village Network, reinforcing its commitment to giving back through both volunteer efforts and financial support.
"Whitaker-Myers Group stands as a pillar of our community, with over 150 years of service rooted in trust and commitment,” Samira Zimmerly, President of the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce said. “Their generosity — giving not only their time and talents but also financial support — has made a lasting difference to countless organizations. They are more than an insurance agency; they are a true partner in the growth and well-being of our community."
As Whitaker-Myers continues to evolve, Buckwalter remains committed to maintaining its reputation as a service-oriented firm built on trust. Leading the insurance division, he works to find the best solutions for clients and minimize their risk. “My job is to make sure my clients can sleep well at night knowing that we’re protecting what’s important,” he said. The firm continues to adapt to technological advancements and modern risk-management strategies, ensuring it remains at the forefront of the industry.
Looking ahead, Whitaker-Myers is focused on achieving new milestones and strengthening its community impact. “It’s the idea of the rising tide lifting all ships,” said Buckwalter. When the firm’s clients and local businesses succeed, it succeeds as well, reflecting a long-term commitment to the region’s growth and prosperity.
The Business of the Year Award is presented annually to a business for its longevity in the community, positive impact on the local economy, contributions to the community’s well being, their concern for the well being of its employees and support of the Chamber.