
James F. Chapel, Jr, CFS
Jim Chapel, after earning his Associated Arts degree from Orange Coast College in June 1977, attended the University of Southern California in August 1977 as a full-time student paying his entire cost of education working while Majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance.
In 1978 he began his career in finance benefits and insurance planning. In 1981, he founded J.F. Chapel and Associates Insurance Services with offices in LA and Orange County. In 1990, Jim founded Western United Insurance Company (WUIC), a California Property and Casualty company specializing in automobile insurance. Under Jim’s leadership as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board, the company grew from $3.2 million in direct written premium in 1991 to more than $60 million in 1994.
In 1995 he formed Chapel Financial Group an insurance and benefits organization which became FMC Financial Benefits Group in 2002. Jim continues to work with his sons Andrew Chapel and Scottie Chapel providing services of Executive Benefits Plans, Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, Succession Planning, and Bank Owned Life Insurance.
Jim was a member of the Association of California Insurance Companies (ACIC) and served on the organization’s Board of Directors. He was a member and director of Young Executives of America and on the boards of High O’Brien Youth Foundation (HOBY), the Newport YMCA, Irvine Barclay Theatre, and Concordia University’s Presidents Advisory Council. Jim is a member of the World President’s Organization (Southern California Chapter), NAIFA, and Orange County Life Underwriters. Formerly served on the board of Emerald Bay Community Association.
Jim has been a member of FFR since 2011
Jim is married to ElizaBeth, and is the father of five sons – Trey, Andrew, Woody, Mac, and Scottie, and 6 grandchildren.
Spencer Freidenrich
Scottie Chapel