FEATURES
COVER STORY: ELITE AGENCIES GREGORY & APPEL INSURANCE Location: Indianapolis, Ind. Agency head: Dan Appel, president Years in business: 131
IMA FINANCIAL GROUP Location: Dallas, Texas Agency head: Bob Reiter, president Revenue: More than $5 million Awards and accolades: Hanover West Region Agency of
the Year, 2015 Awards and accolades:
Indianapolis Star Who’s Who in Health Care and Benefits Gregory & Appel opened in downtown Indianapolis in 1884 with nothing more than a rented office and a $7 desk. Today, the company has grown into one of the nation’s largest insurance agencies. It’s also the oldest – and one of the largest – independently owned insurance agency in the state of Indiana. The company provides a broad spectrum of property & casualty risk management and employee benefit solutions. It’s also an integral part of the community, supporting the arts, education and numerous other civic endeavors in Indianapolis.
CRETCHER HEARTLAND
ASCENSION INSURANCE
Location: Kansas City, Mo. Agency head: Jason Patchen, CMO Revenue: $25 million
Location: Walnut Creek, Calif. Agency head: Joseph L. Tatum, CEO Years in business: 8
Major clients/industries served:
Bioscience, construction, design professionals, healthcare professionals and facilities, manufacturing, oil and gas, pest management, public entities, rail industries Awards and accolades: Accident Fund Top Agency of the Territory, Accident Fund President’s Club, Berkley Surety 2012 Surety Partner of the Year Cretcher Heartland has built a formidable book of business and has been recognized numerous times for its excellence, and several employees have been named to various ‘40 under 40’ and leadership excellence lists. The company also gives back by volunteering at Restart, which provides transitional housing and shelter for battered women, youth and those with substance abuse problems.
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IMA is one of the largest independent insurance brokerages in the country. The company, based in Wichita and Denver, has been repeatedly recognized for its corporate accomplishments and the achievements of its employees. IMA staffers routinely show up on lists of industry leaders and are even sought out by the government to help steer federal policy. IMA also gives a portion of its profits to the IMA Foundation, which provides grants to charitable organizations.
Major clients/industries served: Construction, agribusiness, higher education,
motorsports, technology, transportation, healthcare, nonprofits Since its founding in 2007, Ascension Insurance has grown to more than 430 employees in offices all over the US, becoming one of the top independent insurance brokerages in the country. Ascension is among the largest national brokerage and consulting firms by revenue size, and is projected to grow to $200 million in revenue over the next few years.
INSURANCE SERVICE OF ASHEVILLE Location: Asheville, NC Agency head: James W. Stickney IV, president Years in business: 57 Awards and accolades: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina President’s
Club James W. Stickney III founded Insurance Service of Asheville in 1958 “with no money and no hope of inheritance,” according his son, current company president James W. Stickney IV. The company, which began out of a basement room in the Battery Park Hotel, is now a thriving agency with skilled employees, loyal customers and a growing book of business.
www.ibamag.com
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