View this article online: https://www.insurancejournal.com/magazines/mag-business-moves/2011/09/19/215968.htm
LevelFirst
LevelFirst is a new diversified wholesale broker and managing general agency based in Dallas, Texas, that serves retail agents in the Southwest and across the country.
President and CEO of LevelFirst, Robin Stough, announced that the new organization will insure business classes and clients in a wide range of areas, from energy services and transportation to property and general liability.
LevelFirst insurance specialists have authority to underwrite on behalf of a variety of top-tier, “A”-rated carriers, the company’s announcement said. The firm has access to more than 40 brokerage and eight binding markets located in the U.S. and London.
Stough is a 30-year veteran of the insurance and brokerage industry. He has served in leadership roles for a number of national wholesale insurance brokerages. Stough was most recently president of a regional wholesale operation specializing in energy, binding authority and brokerage services.
Yardi, Multifamily Insurance Group
Santa Barbara, Calif.-based real estate management software firm Yardi has acquired Dallas-based Multifamily Insurance Group (MIG) in a move that allows it to provide renters insurance to its property owner clients.
Yardi will now offer insurance coverage through MIG’s ResidentShield for personal liability, personal property and living expenses for losses caused by fire, theft and other unexpected events through a single platform that also provides rental pricing, online resident services, utility billing and resident screening, according to Gordon Morrell, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Yardi.
The company said MIG principals Trip Stanford and Mike Composono have joined Yardi’s newly-formed insurance division.
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Itasca, Ill.-based Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has acquired Group Benefits of Arkansas LLC in Ft. Smith, Ark. Established in 2004, Group Benefits of Arkansas LLC (GBA) offers a wide range of employee benefit consultation and brokerage services for their middle-market clients in Arkansas and Oklahoma. The agency specializes in group medical, dental, life and disability insurance with an emphasis on consumer directed plans such as health savings accounts, health reimbursement arrangements and cafeteria plans.
Andy Jackson, Ron Novak and their associates will continue to operate in their current location under the direction of John Neumaier, South Central regional executive vice president of Gallagher’s employee benefit consulting and brokerage operations.
Ron Patterson Agency, SBMP
Ron Patterson Insurance Agency Inc., in Richardson, Texas, has joined SBMP Inc., a network of independent insurance agencies located primarily in central and west Texas.
SBMP has 18 members located in 24 cities in Texas and was established in 1989.
Hub International, Strategic Employee Benefit Services
Chicago-based Hub International Limited (Hub) said it plans to purchase Strategic Employee Benefit Services of Louisiana LLC (SEBS of Louisiana), a Metairie, La.-based benefit consulting and service firm.
SEBS of Louisiana will become part of Hub International Gulf South (Hub Gulf South). Key executives of SEBS of Louisiana, Kevin Gardner, president and employee benefit specialist, and Mike Ford, vice president and employee benefit specialist, will join Hub Gulf South and lead its employee benefits division. They will report to Hub Gulf South President Steve Terry.
In addition to Metairie, SEBS of Louisiana has additional offices across Louisiana, including those in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Covington and Houma.
SIAA
Strategic Insurance Agency Alliance (SIAA), a national alliance of independent insurance agents, announced it added 40 new member agencies in June, three of which are located in Texas.
The new member agencies in Texas are Cannon Insurance Services in Elgin, Buddy Marshall Insurance Agency in Mt. Pleasant, and Dormer Insurance Services of Kingwood.
Marsh & McLennan Agency, Prescott Pailet Benefits LP
Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC (MMA), a subsidiary of insurance broker Marsh Inc., has acquired Prescott Pailet Benefits LP (PPB), a $6 million employee benefits broker based in Dallas, Texas.
Formed in 2006 by the combination of Prescott Benefit Services and Pailet Financial Services, PPB offers a diversified mix of health, life, dental, and disability products to a wide range of organizations.
PPB will operate within MMA’s Southwest regional hub created by the November 2009 acquisition of Houston-based Insurance Alliance.