Our Founder
William "Bill" James McNish
(1942-2018)

Tenacity and passion were at the forefront of Bill McNish’s career. He began working as a bond underwriter in 1961 while attending Wayne State University, from which he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1966. In 1968, he and John Dennehy formed the Dennehy Agency Inc. in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. They had one customer when they started, but grew the business over the next 15 years, advancing their commercial lines and adding personal lines. When Dennehy retired in 1983, Bill became the sole owner, and the name changed to McNish-Dennehy Agency of Michigan.

Over the years, the agency continued to grow to become an all-services agency. In 1986, Bill started a financial services division, and in 1988 opened an agency in Traverse City, Michigan. In 2003, he formed McNish Group, which became the umbrella for all of the companies: McNish Group, McNish Agency and McNish Financial Services. In July of 1995, Bill was named one of Crain’s Detroit Business Executive Heroes, recognizing his ability to skillfully blend business acumen and social responsibility. He saw his role as being an intermediary between charitable organizations and the business world, often calling on his own clients to support community nonprofits and schools.

On the personal side, Bill was a family man and community man. He married Carol in 1963, and celebrated 50 years together in 2013. Bill and Carol have four children and 13 grandchildren. He served on the board of directors at Catholic Youth Organization and was a trustee for over 25 years. He was an integral part of the St. Mary’s of Redford Dad’s Club and Athletic Committee and coached basketball there for many years.

Bill faithfully served on the Mercy High School board of directors and was a member of Mercy’s Dad’s Club, raising enough money to build a new athletic complex with track and field, softball and soccer fields.

He founded the McNish Family Foundation in 2003 to provide resources for need-based scholarships and grants for young people to be successful in high school and beyond. Since its inception, the McNish Family Foundation has awarded over $615,000 in grants and scholarships and impacted the lives of over 250 young men and women.

Both internally and well beyond the agency’s front door, Bill McNish was a man of character and commitment. The leaders and employees of the McNish Group keep close to heart his legacy of putting clients, colleagues, and community first.