SERVING OTHERS Indiana agency becomes national in scope as caring culture takes center stage By Dennis Pillsbury Insurance Management Group, Marion, Indiana, traces its roots back to 1875 when J.A. Searles started a small farm agency to serve the local area. The firm changed with the times and with new ownership, as it transformed itself from farm agency to generalist to fit the needs of its community. The latest permutations
Agency of the Month
DREAM BIG, Make it happen Florida agency follows this mantra with AWE (attitude and work ethic) By Dennis Pillsbury Before he started Clearwater, Florida-based Strategic Insurance Services in 2006, Doug Levi had worked with State Farm, and he had little idea what all was involved in starting an independent agency. What he did have is what he calls AWE—(positive) attitude and work ethic. He approached his new independent agency venture
Agency partners (from left) Jay Hickman, Casey Chastain, and Tom Jensen AGENTS OF CHANGE Missouri-based agency grows with Branson and then beyond By Dennis Pillsbury Location. Location. Location. We know them as the three things that matter in real estate. But a good location certainly doesn’t hurt when you’re active in the insurance business. Casey Chastain, SPHR, PWCA, partner and consultant with Connell Insurance, points out that “we started out
Top photo caption: The Shaw Insurance team. Front row, from left: Jennifer Waganer, Agent and CSR; Howard Shaw, Owner; Jean Irby, Previous Owner; Susan Shaw, Owner; Aaron Carter, Account Manager. Back row, from left: Sally Martin, Commercial Account Manager; Ginger Sebastian, Account Manager; Joyce Rainey, Receptionist. AGENCY OF THE MONTH DOING THE RIGHT THING Texas agency uses the Golden Rule as its corporate philosophy By Dennis Pillsbury Shaw Insurance Agency,
MGA Focus A SURPLUS OF LONGEVITY Quaker Special Risk boasts a rich history of surplus success, familial ties, and smart evolution By Lori Widmer Employees tend to stick around at Quaker Special Risk. At the Eatontown, New Jersey, commercial and personal lines wholesaler, the average employee has been with the company for 10 to 15 years, and in the industry even longer. The longevity, says Michael Walsh, president of Quaker Special Risk
