Hylant Group Acquires AGIS

TOLEDO, Ohio, June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hylant Group, one of the largest privately owned insurance brokerage firms in the nation, announced today that it has acquired AGIS, an independent, full-service employee benefits agency with offices in Birmingham, Mich., and Orlando and Jacksonville, Fla.  The combined operations expand Hylant's footprint into Florida and further solidify the company's position as a leading employee benefits service provider.

In 2011, Hylant acquired AGIS's Indianapolis office under the employee benefits leadership of Dave Norris.  The Florida offices will be led by industry veterans Andria Herr in Orlando and Mark Nixon in Jacksonville.  The Birmingham, Mich. office, led by Mike Nixon, will transition to Hylant's Detroit office.  Mike and his team will bring additional expertise and experience to Hylant's expanding Southeast Michigan operation, which includes Ann Arbor Metropolitan, Detroit and Grand Rapids, making Hylant one of the largest employee benefit operations in the state of Michigan.

"The acquisition of AGIS demonstrates our commitment to the employee benefits space.  Our clients will continue to need access to consulting expertise and services as the landscape of healthcare and employee benefits services continue to evolve," said Michael Hylant, CEO of Hylant Group.  "The level of leadership talent and company culture of AGIS support our plans for strategic growth in our existing offices and our new Orlando and Jacksonville locations."

Founded in 1978, AGIS has been building and reinforcing strong relationships for nearly 35 years.  In addition to the services that AGIS offered, their clients will now benefit from the breadth of resources available to them through Hylant's employee benefits practice, as well as Hylant's other risk and industry specialty practices, including property and casualty, risk management and insurance services.

"We are thrilled to be joining the Hylant team," said Mark Nixon, President of AGIS' Jacksonville, Fla. office. "This transaction significantly enhances the product and service offerings that we are able to provide to both our existing and new clientele. The merged operation not only brings greater efficiencies, it also results in a highly expanded talent pool."

"AGIS and its professionals have an outstanding reputation and posture in the markets they serve.  The acquisition supports Hylant's role as a premier employee benefits consulting services firm," said Lisa Hawker, Executive Vice President and Employee Benefits Leader for all of Hylant's 14 offices. "I'm excited about what the future holds for our clients and our employees."

About Hylant Group

Hylant Group, a three consecutive year winner of Best Places to Work in Insurance (2009, 2010, 2011), was founded in 1935 and is a full-service insurance brokerage with 14 offices in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, and Florida.  As a member of the Worldwide Broker Network, Hylant offers complete risk management services, employee benefits consultation, loss control, healthcare management and insurance solutions for businesses and individuals.  Hylant is one of the largest privately held brokerage firms in the United States and serves a wide variety of clients locally, nationally, and internationally.  For more information, please contact Tammy Cameron at [email protected] or visit hylant.com. 

SOURCE Hylant Group