Carl Bonds

Carl G. Bonds, CLU, ChFC, grew up in Plainview, Texas, the son of a farmer.  His family believed in hard work, honesty, and going to church.  In high school, Carl played varsity basketball (the team advanced to the state semi-finals his junior and senior years), was sprinter and captain of the track team, and was first baritone and president of the nationally ranked band (performed in the Cotton Bowl) and won sweepstakes all 4 years which continued a national record which eventually reached 75 years.  He accepted the Lord at an early age and was active at FBC Plainview all through high school.  Having been raised Baptist, Carl chose Baylor, his dream college. He was an active member and officer of the Baylor Chamber, a men’s service club whose motto is “Anything for Baylor” and Carl still practices that motto to this day.  He and Rita have established an endowed scholarship for needy members of the Baylor Chamber.

Following graduation from Baylor with a major in Mathematics, Carl did post graduate study in business at SMU, after which he began a long career in Employee Benefits in Dallas with the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the U.S.  which was the third largest life insurance company in the country at the time, headquartered in New York City. After assignments in Charlotte, Atlanta, and Houston, he returned to Dallas as Division Manager of Group Operations for the Texas-Oklahoma Division, based in Dallas, a position he held for over 12 years, working with numerous Fortune 500 companies for Group Benefit Plans and Qualified Plan Investments. He was named Outstanding Performer for the entire country one month and was given a luncheon in his honor in the Executive Dining Room by the President and other top officers in NYC, and was given tickets to a Broadway play and a commemorative clock. Carl is a Member Emeritus of the Society of Financial Service Professionals and founded and moderated the Employee Benefits Section in Dallas for over 10 years. He is President and owner of Bonds Benefit Company, Inc.

Carl has been a long-time member of Richardson Heights Baptist Church where he has served on the Finance Committee, Personnel Committee, Choir Member, and Chairman of Deacons. He has been a member of Rotary International for over 45 years, is a member of the Paul Harris Society, has served as Club President (twice), and is a Major Donor, level 2. He and Rita are avid sports fans, having season tickets to Baylor football and women’s basketball, and cheer for the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Cowboys. They enjoy the theater and concerts. He served his country in the United States Army Reserves for 7 years, his last assignment being the 327^th Military Intelligence Unit in Dallas.  He is a life member of the American Legion. He and Rita serve on the Board of Advocates of the Louise Herrington Baylor School of Nursing in Dallas and have established an endowed scholarship for nursing students.

Carl is married to Rita and has two sons, Steve, a successful tennis coach and wife Jacque, who is his assistant coach; Scott, a Baylor graduate who works for Texas Mutual Insurance, as does his wife Emily; a daughter, Janis, who is a full-time homemaker; and 9 grandchildren.  The accomplishments of the grandchildren are too numerous to mention!  The highlight of each year is the annual family week in Colorado. Being with family is a high priority!