CIAB Welcomes 21 New Member Firms, 7 Sponsor Partners

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- The Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers issued the following news release:

The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers welcomed 21 new member firms in total during 2018. The new members include: Andreini & Company (San Mateo, CA ); Continental Insurance Brokers Ltd. (Beijing, China); DMS Insurance Holdings (Brecksville, OH); Higginbotham Insurance (Fort Worth, TX); LHD Benefit Advisors (Indianapolis, IN.); Lykes Insurance (Tampa, FL); Moreton & Company (Salt Lake City, UT.); Palmer & Cay (Atlanta, GA); Socius Insurance (San Francisco, CA); and Wallace, Welch & Willingham, Inc. (St. Petersburg, FL).

"We're excited to have these new members join us and we look forward to their contributions to our community," said Ken A. Crerar, President/CEO of The Council. "The Council is committed to providing support and creating opportunity so that each of our member firms can continue to be a leader in the market. The Council continues to grow because top performing firms understand the value of convening to both advance their position and put resources behind issues that are hard to tackle alone."

The Council previously announced the following firms earlier this year: All Risks Ltd. (Hunt Valley, MD.); Clark Insurance (Portland, ME); Dwight W. Andrus Insurance, Inc. (Lafayette, LA.); Foundation Risk Partners (Daytona Beach, FL.); HNI Risk Services, LLC (New Berlin, WI.) Hotchkiss Insurance (Houston, TX); Morris & Garritano Insurance Agency, Inc. (San Luis Obispo, CA.); Navacord Inc. (Mississauga, Ont., Canada); T.I.C., Inc. (Onalaska, WI.); UNICO Group, Inc. (Lincoln, NE.); and Vanbreda Risk & Benefits (Antwerp, Belgium).

"The Council is focused on leading the industry forward. At a time when the business is changing, The Council invests in emerging areas to help top brokerage firms adapt," said David L. Eslick, Chairman & CEO, Marsh & McLennan Agency, in White Plains, N.Y., and The Council's 2018 Chairman. "As a partner, The Council plays a critical role in supporting the evolution of our firms. These new members bring leadership and energy to the table, and their addition to this community makes us stronger."

The Council also welcomes three new sponsors: Lincoln Financial Group (EVENT SPONSOR), OneBeacon Insurance Group (EVENT SPONSOR), and Ryan Specialty Group (EVENT SPONSOR). Additionally, two partners increased their investment in The Council: Markel (EVENT to GOLD PARTNER), and Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (EVENT to GOLD PARTNER).

The Council also previously announced the following sponsors earlier this year: Beazley Group (GOLD PARTNER), Old Republic General Insurance Group (EVENT SPONSOR), Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company (EVENT SPONSOR), and Prudential (EVENT SPONSOR). Nationwide (PLATINUM to DIAMOND PARTNER) and Sedgwick (EVENT to GOLD PARTNER) both increased their investment in the platform.

"The Council is very fortunate to have the commitment and support of these new carrier and industry partners," said Eslick. "The investments made by our new and existing partners contribute significantly to the creation of resources and programs vital to our individual growth and the advancement of the brokerage industry."

The Council hosts the 105th annual Insurance Leadership Forum later this week in Colorado Springs, Colo.