IBAMAG.COM
IMA FINANCIAL GROUP Home office: Denver and Wichita, Kan. Years in business: 40 Producers: 65 Website: www.imafg.com
What makes them elite This company wins employee health and workplace awards regularly. Its Denver office features a private Starbucks with complimentary gifts for employees and guests. IMA consistently gives 2.5% or more of its profit to the IMA Foundation, which last year gave grants to 51 nonprofit organizations. IMA included a community room in its new Denver headquarters. This space is available at no charge to nonprofit organizations to host meetings. IMA hosts an annual corporate-wide day of service (‘‘I MAke a Difference Day’’) when associates and their families and friends come together to volunteer at nonprofits in its four markets.
From left: Ken Sihle, Jerry Sihle and Traci Sihle of Sihle Insurance Group
SIHLE INSURANCE GROUP Home office: Altamonte Springs, Fla. Years in business: 40 Producers: 69 Website: www.sihle.com
What makes them elite Sihle Insurance Group was founded by Jerry Sihle 40 years ago in 1974. Since that time it has grown to become one of the largest privately held agencies in Florida, with 150 employees and 10% growth in the past year. The company has a heavy focus on condo associations, hospitality, construction and fuel with a culture that centers on building relationships with customers.
PROFESSIONAL INSURANCE ASSOCIATES, INC
STORK INSURANCE AGENCY
Home office: San Carlos, Calif. Years in business: 104 Producers: 500+ Website: www.piainc.com
Home office: Penn Yan, N.Y. Years in business: 172 Producers: 8 Website: www.storkinsurance.com
What makes them elite
What makes them elite
With more than 70,000 policyholders and written premiums of more than $175m, Professional Insurance Associates is one of the largest insurance agencies in the country. PIA has more than 500 affiliated agents in California and Nevada, working out of more than 250 offices.
Stork Insurance has managed to gain a unique position as a trusted adviser to over 90 winery, brewery and distillery customers. Their enviable reach into this market is accompanied by a wide range of other commercial coverages that make them such an important agency in the area.
ASSURANCE Home office: Schaumberg, Ill. Years in business: 53 Producers: 51 Website: www.assuranceagency.com
What makes them elite Assurance, an independent insurance brokerage serving 5,800 clients, with offices near Chicago and St Louis, has grown at a rate that averages out at 14% per year over the past 10 years as a result of its focus
on organic growth. Assurance has earned more than 60 culture and service awards in the past five years, and was named a 2013 “101 Best and Brightest Company to Work For” by the National Association for Business Resources for the eighth consecutive year. Assurance was also ranked in 2013 as the sixth best workplace in the US within its category by the Great Places to Work Institute. In 2013, Assurance employees walked or ran a combined total of 852 miles and completed its 2013 goal with 93% employee participation.
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