FEATURES
COVER STORY: YOUNG GUNS 2017 RYAN P. EDGMON Managing director, energy division HIGGINBOTHAM Age: 29
Along with maintaining his own book of commercial property & casualty business, Ryan Edgmon is the manager of Higginbotham’s Fort Worth, Texas-based energy division, which offers specialty coverage and services to businesses across the state. In 2010, Edgmon started his career in Odessa, Texas, following in his grandmother’s and father’s footsteps in the family insurance business. In 2014, Edgmon Insurance was acquired by Higginbotham. The following year, at the age of 27, Edgmon became the youngest managing director in the history of Higginbotham. He was part of the inaugural Top 20 in Their 20s list in Fort Worth Business Press and was named to IBA’s Hot 100 list last year.
ARYN HIGGINS Production underwriter SPECIAL MARKETS INSURANCE CONSULTANTS Age: 28
AARON WRIGHT Manager, underwriting ARMED FORCES INSURANCE Age: 33
From the time Aaron Wright entered the insurance industry nearly 10 years ago, he has had the opportunity to gain significant expertise by taking on various roles with multiple companies. For the past four years, Wright has served as the underwriting manager at Armed Forces Insurance [AFI], where he has developed and led dozens of projects, resulting in a double-digit increase in premium to the overall company book of business. During his tenure in this position, the surplus for AFI has also increased by nearly 45%. Wright has focused on expanding his insurance expertise by completing his CPCU, along with eight other insurance designations. He is also an active member of the Kansas City chapter of the CPCU Society. When he’s not focused on his family or career, Wright volunteers his time with Harvesters Community Food Network.
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KEITH J. SHEARER Executive vice president RT SPECIALTY Age: 35
Like many in the industry, Keith Shearer fell into insurance at an early age, seizing an opportunity with a national insurance carrier and quickly discovering the boundless world of wholesale brokerage. Since 2003, he has been focused on E&S property-driven accounts with a strong emphasis on named windstorm and flood exposed risks for large commercial properties. In addition to focusing his talents on Fortune 1000 accounts, Shearer and his team have nurtured key insurance carrier relationships that have facilitated several innovative market changes in high-hazard flood-prone coastal areas. Now in his seventh year at RT Specialty, Shearer is in the top 4% of all RT producers and leads a $50 million-plus placement team that he has built from the ground up.
In 2013, Aryn Higgins joined the underwriting team at Special Markets Insurance Consultants [SMIC], an AmWINS company, leveraging her previous experience to add value to the underwriting department. At SMIC, Higgins has created several new opportunities with carriers and retail agents. In 2014, she was named AmWINS MVP of the Month. Higgins was also selected for the most recent class of the AmWINS Sales and Leadership Academy, which is designed for high-performing individuals who exhibit the desire and aptitude to grow into a leadership role within the company. The program further developed her professional capabilities and enabled her to extend her network of contacts within the AmWINS group. During her time in the Sales and Leadership Academy, Higgins worked with a small team of peers and divisional experts to build an educational program and create an Educational Council for the AmWINS group benefit division. As part of this council, Higgins helps develop, mentor and advocate for the next generation of leaders.
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