South Central Agencies Recognized by Big ‘I’ for ‘Best Practices’

Two independent agencies from South Central states were among the six insurance firms from across the country recognized as “Top Performing Agencies” by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) and Reagan Consulting, an Atlanta-based management consulting firm.

Dallas-based Swingle Collins & Associates and the Ed Berrong Insurance Agency of Weatherford, Okla., were cited as top performers by the Big “I”. Texas-based Brady, Chapman, Holland and Associates Inc. was a runner up top performer in a separate revenue category. They were joined by 11 other agency members of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas that qualified as Best Practice agencies in their respective revenue categories as part of the 2007 Best Practices Study released in October.

The top performing agencies were singled out for their operational excellence, financial results, and overall management achievement in their respective revenue-size categories.

Swingle Collins & Associates is led by IIAT president Frank Swingle. Swingle Collins is the largest property-and-casualty-only insurance agency in the Dallas area. Having just celebrated its 25th anniversary, the firm is committed to remaining independently owned. The agency targets mid-market customers and strives to offer the best market representation and relationships available in Texas.

Ed Berrong Insurance is a family-owned agency now in its 59th year of business. Located along the mid-west I-40 corridor, the agency does business throughout Oklahoma and in surrounding states. The agency is a full-lines insurance agency with a focus in the oil and gas industry and is a surplus lines broker for its clients.

In addition to Swingle Collins and Brady, Chapman, Holland the other members of the IIAT to be recognized as Best Practice agencies for 2007 are:

Bigham-Kliewer-Chapman-Watts Insurance Agency
Bryan Insurance Agency
Dean & Draper Insurance Agency
GEM Insurance Agencies
Hibbs-Hallmark & Co.
Insurance Alliance
Lynn, Kiecke, Lackey & Eason Insurance Group
McQueary Henry Bowles Troy
Pierson & Fendley Insurance Agency
The Weatherby-Eisenrich Agency
Trimble-Batjer Insurance Associates

Every three years, the Big “I” and Reagan Consulting join forces to select “Best Practices” firms throughout the nation for outstanding management and financial achievement in six revenue categories: Under $1,250,000; Between $1,250,000 & $2,500,000; Between $2,500,000 & $5,000,000; Between $5,000,000 & $10,000,000; Between $10,000,000 & $25,000,000; and Over $25,000,000.

More than 800 independent agencies and brokers of varying sizes across the country were nominated to take part in the study. Only 195 agencies, the top thirty to thirty-three in each of six revenue groups qualified for selection. The agency was nominated by either a Big “I”-affiliated state association or an insurance company and qualified based on its operational excellence.

Sources: IIAT, www.iiat.org; IIABA, www.iiaba.net

Topics Texas Agencies