Three Minutes With… Josh Burns of Hermiston

Published 2:00 pm Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Who are you and what do you do?

It’s Josh Burns, I am a commercial insurance agent and general manager for the Swanson Insurance Group here in Hermiston.

Where did you grow up? When did you come to Hermiston?

I grew up in a small town in central Arkansas. I moved to Hermiston in July of 2011.

What are a few of your hobbies?

Anything outdoors, I love hunting and fishing and camping. We do snowboarding and snow skiing with the kids. That’s part of what brought us here. My wife and I loved the northwest when we were stationed in Idaho with the Air Force, so we took the first professional opportunity that came along to come back out here with the kids.

How do you spend your free time?

Both of my kids are active in sports so I try to be as involved as possible with that. I’m a member of the rotary club here in Hermiston, I’m the current president, so either service work in the community or chasing the kids around.

How would you describe yourself?

Cheerful.

What is something that you’re passionate about?

I am currently passionate about our HEROS Sports Complex project out at Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center.

What are a few of your proudest accomplishments?

Personally I am most proud of Jace, Keely and Kindra Burns, my two children and my wife. And professionally, I’m really proud of our agency and the team that we are building.

What do you like most about the community you live in?

I have lived in seven states and lots of different cities and towns and I have never felt more welcomed or as readily accepted into a community as we did when we came to Hermiston. I really think when people here get to know you, there’s this level of acceptance based on who you are as a person, not what your name is or what you’re worth.