our founder

Once or twice in a lifetime you meet someone truly exceptional and unforgettable. For our team—and so many others—that person was Fournier Group’s founder and CEO, Dirk Fournier (1970–2021).

a light this bright shines forever

Dirk lived his life out loud with extraordinary passion, purpose, pizzazz, love and generosity. He died in Portland, Oregon, at age 50, leaving behind countless friends, colleagues and family who adored him.

Born fittingly on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1970, Dirk Kermit Fournier had that star sparkle from day one. He grew up in Montesano, Washington, excelling in the classroom and beyond. During summers as a teenager, he worked at his father’s insurance agency, where he hatched big dreams of one day leading his own firm and creating a special agency experience.

After graduating from the University of Washington and moving to Portland, Dirk’s life blossomed. It didn’t take him long to achieve his childhood aims. As the founder and CEO of Fournier Group, he built a premier national insurance agency with offices on both coasts serving diverse people, businesses and events nationwide. Dirk was a smart, bold, inspirational leader—a pioneering visionary for good who loved risk management and was steadfastly committed to excellence, growth, improvement and making a difference for people, the community and the industry.

Dirk and Fournier Group notched many accomplishments. Fournier Group was named one of the most philanthropic small businesses by the Portland Business Journal multiple times; the agency won Safeco Insurance’s Make More Happen Award twice, benefitting nonprofit partners Edwards Center and Community Warehouse; and in 2021, the brokerage was named one of the 100 Best Companies To Work For In Oregon. Dirk received the Portland Business Journal’s prestigious 40 Under 40 Award and was a dedicated longtime member of the esteemed Young Presidents’ Organization. He used his superpower—commanding an audience with his inimitable charm, charisma and wit—to raise millions of dollars for community organizations and his beloved parish home, The Madeleine.

Dirk put his whole heart, signature style and impeccable precision into everything he did. He lit up the room. He had an endearing nickname for everyone. When he said hello—and he always did, enthusiastically—he made you feel special. He aimed high and led with love. Sometimes it was tough; always it was true. He mentored interns, championed individuality and energized people to chase their dreams. He understood his family, friends and colleagues on a deeper level, and always made time to encourage and support them.

Dirk’s crowning achievement: his twin boys. He was a proud, loving father who cherished every moment he spent with his sons and seldom missed an opportunity to keep you apprised of their academic and musical chops, and athletic prowess.

Dirk enjoyed beautiful things, feng shui, a good book, a good party, a good laugh, community events, music, theater, art, singing, dancing, cooking, fine dining, step aerobics, swimming in tropical waters, sports, travel—and an upturned polo shirt collar, which only he could pull off. He adored dolphins, his spirit animal. Most of all, Dirk loved to watch his sons play basketball, listen to them play the piano and spend time with family in Hood Canal on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.

A LOGO TO REMEMBER

Dirk loved using a four-pointed star as a symbol of Fournier Group. The star reminded him of the directional points on a compass, and he believed our team’s dedication to helping clients stay grounded, supported and advancing toward their personal and business goals to be a key strength of our agency.

There’s a cool worldwide tradition in soccer: when a team wins a championship, a star is inserted above the club’s logo. Dirk was a fan of the Portland Timbers, our hometown men’s professional soccer team who won the MLS Cup in 2015, earning a star atop their crest.

So we added an honorary star to Fournier Group’s logo in the summer of 2021. We also updated the typeface and introduced a star-centric secondary mark with a flexible tagline. The star forever represents our inimitable founder and CEO—and eternal beacon and north star—plus our team’s commitment to helping clients dream big and live their very best lives worry free.