In 1976, Pathfinder Corporation was founded by William H. Cummings and J. Mac Spears.  Initially, Pathfinder provided licensing training for individuals seeking a Life and Health license in the state of Indiana.  By the early 1980’s, courses in Property and Casualty insurance were added.  In the mid 1980’s, Pathfinder texts on these subjects became available nationwide.  By the early 1990’s, Pathfinder offerings included a full range of Continuing Education courses.

Over 100,000 students have attended Pathfinder classes and Pathfinder texts are currently in use in nearly thirty (30) states.  Pathfinder conducts classes in two Indiana locations and three Michigan locations.  Michigan classes are operated in conjunction with the Michigan Association of Independent Agents and with Michigan State University.

Pathfinder is recognized from coast-to-coast as the premier licensing training organization of its kind.  Pathfinder materials are utilized by other schools nationwide, and Pathfinder instructors often conduct train-the trainer sessions for other companies in the training business.

Bill Cummings and Mac Spears are still actively involved in Pathfinder training classes.  While both devote significant time to the development and maintenance of Pathfinder texts, CD’s, CD-ROM’s and other classroom materials, they each feel that a classroom presence is critical to maintaining materials that truly communicate to the students.

Pathfinder is widely applauded for making their classes enjoyable, entertaining, and intellectually rewarding.  “We believe that dull is a four-letter word,” commented Bill Cummings.  Indeed, Pathfinder has always been as much in the entertainment business as it has been in the insurance training business.

Long time client companies and agencies look upon Pathfinder as the first step in their agent training programs.  Dozens of low-priced competitors have tried to erode Pathfinder’s market share in Indiana and Michigan, and most have fallen by the wayside.  Pathfinder courses are typically 50% more expensive than the average, but the quality of Pathfinder classes is such that they have developed an almost fanatical loyalty.  “Our guiding principle” says Mac Spears, “is that anyone who thinks education is expensive hasn’t tried ignorance.”