One of the most recognizable names in the Bloomington-Normal business community has changed to reflect a shift in ownership.
The Snyder Companies is now Tentac Enterprises. The Bloomington-based company owns a real estate firm, insurance agency, hotels, subdivisions, and other businesses in Central Illinois.
Founder Jack Snyder, who recently passed away, sold Snyder Companies to five partners in 2008, including his son, Steve. After Steve Snyder decided to retire himself, the lone remaining partners, Charlie Farner and Dave Fedor, bought him out as well, Farner said.
“Together, with Steve, we decided since there was no longer a Snyder involved in the business, it might be a good time to rebrand our company, refresh it, and reintroduce it,” Farner told WGLT.
The name Tentac came from the word “tentacular,” a moniker that was also considered, Farner said. It’s edgy, he said, but also meaningful: The company has many different tentacles in the community.
“It raises a lot of questions, which is what we wanted to do,” Farner said.
The changeover formally happened in mid-December. An advisory board was also appointed in 2019.
Snyder Insurance, an independent agency, will retain the Snyder name.
Tentac has around 450 employees. The company operates around 1,500 apartment units and three hotels in Bloomington-Normal and Champaign-Urbana. In addition to Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Tentac also includes several smaller businesses, such as Go Green Commercial Cleaning, The Magic Blue Box creative agency, the Brick Technology Group, and Picture This Outdoor Advertising.
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