Forty Under 40: James McMillan

James McMillan worked 80-hour weeks in retail management before beginning a different career in the insurance industry.

Before the move, he could not see much of his family because of his work schedule. His father-in-law, who’d worked in the insurance industry, suggested BHC Insurance.

The Fort Smith native joined its employee benefits division in 2012. Four years later, he led a reorganization of the division, increasing new business commissions by 330% and more than doubling revenue. It’s grown to represent 35% of the company’s more than $18 million in total revenue. The agency also has a property and casualty division.

In 2021, McMillan was named to his existing role and is responsible for developing strategic initiatives and a growth culture. He oversees about 20 employees. Over the next three to five years, he looks to double revenue and staff in the benefits division.

Earlier this year, company leaders completed a deal to acquire the agency from First Bank Corp. McMillan is one of the owners.

Some of McMillan’s accolades include being named by industry publication “Employee Benefit Adviser” to the 2019 class of Rising Stars in Advising, earning BHC’s Service Above Self Award in 2021 and being selected to BHC’s executive leadership team for the entrepreneurial operating system program in 2022. He’s also BHC’s national liaison to partnership groups like Benefit Advisors Network.

One of the achievements he’s most proud of is working to hire and develop the next generation of the company within the benefits division.

Over the past eight years, he’s mentored eight Fort Smith Public Schools students. He’s a board member for Fort Smith Boys Home and an ambassador for BHC in its efforts to support the United Way.