Business Moves

Webster Bank, Ametros Financial Corp.

Connecticut-based Webster Bank completed its acquisition of Ametros Financial Corp., a firm that administers medical claims settlements.

Ametros provides post-settlement medical administration for those receiving funds from workers’ compensation and liability settlements though a technology platform, CareGuard. CareGuard provides settlement advisory support, discounts on medical expenses, and compliance with government reporting.

The business will continue to operate under the Ametros and CareGuard brands. Ametros is headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts.

Headquartered in Stamford, Webster Bank serves the Northeast from New York to Massachusetts. Its HSA Bank division provides employee benefits products.

Arthur J. Gallagher, Ericson Insurance Advisors

Global insurance broker Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. acquired Washington Depot, Connecticut-based Ericson Insurance Advisors.

Ericson Insurance Advisors is a personal lines-focused insurance broker serving high-net-worth clients nationwide.

Spencer Houldin, Peter Houldin and their team will remain in their current locations. Spencer Houldin is a past chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”).

Ericson also has offices in Boston, New York and West Palm Beach.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Gallagher provides services in 130 countries.

Risk Strategies, Ralph C. Wilson Agency

Risk Strategies, a national specialty insurance brokerage and risk management firm, acquired Ralph C. Wilson Agency, a full-service risk management and employee benefits consulting firm and insurance agency headquartered in Southfield, Michigan.

Founded in 1923 and one of the largest independent agencies in Michigan, Ralph C. Wilson Agency is licensed to operate in over 40 states nationally and offers a wide range of coverage expertise, from general and professional liability to property, cyber, and workers’ compensation insurance. Its industry expertise ranges from auto dealers and manufacturers to marinas, nonprofits and veterinarians.

Founded as a family business, the agency was operated for many decades by Ralph C. Wilson Jr., perhaps best known nationally as the owner of the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills franchise. The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation is an enduring legacy of Wilson and his commitment to supporting the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York.

The acquisition of Ralph C. Wilson Agency is Risk Strategies’ first entry into Michigan and reflects deepening engagement in the Midwest. In 2023, Risk Strategies acquired Illinois-based IZALE Financial Group, Ohio-based First Insurance Group, and the insurance business of Johnson Financial Group in Wisconsin.

Bridge Specialty Insurance Brokerage

Bridge Specialty Insurance Brokerage (BSIB), which provides access to an extensive range of wholesale and specialty insurance solutions, opened a new office in Dallas, Texas office. The office will provide additional capabilities for the retail partners that currently work with Bridge Specialty Group (BSG) businesses in Texas: South & Western, Hull & Co., Texas Security General, Combined Group Insurance Services and Graham-Rogers Insurance.

The BSIB Dallas office features a team of experienced insurance professionals who are familiar with the South Central and Midwest markets, providing solutions that address the specific needs of the region.

Jim Bishop, who is currently the office leader for Hull & Co. Texas, a Bridge Specialty Group agency, will lead the new BSIB Dallas office. Bishop brings over 30 years of experience in the Texas marketplace with extensive experience in sales and underwriting with a specific focus on growing and developing wholesale operations.

Tangram Insurance Services, Preferred Reinsurance Intermediaries

Tangram Insurance Services, an independent managing general agency based in California, acquired Preferred Reinsurance Intermediaries in Columbia, South Carolina, marking Tangram’s entry into the reinsurance brokerage market.

Preferred Re, founded in 1983, works with insurers and reinsurers on traditional reinsurance placements, specialty insurance program development for MGAs, and sourcing capacity for alternative risk firms. It has offices in Florida, New York and New Jersey. President Bob Sanders will lead reinsurance operations for Tangram.

PointeNorth, Valdosta Insurance Services, Southern Insurance Advisors

Atlanta-based PointeNorth Insurance Group acquired Valdosta Insurance Services and Southern Insurance Advisors in Georgia.

Valdosta Insurance Services provides property/casualty insurance, employee benefits and life insurance products. Julian “Trey” Sherwood is president. The principals at Valdosta will continue to lead the company.

Southern Insurance Advisors, based in Milton, Georgia, provide property/casualty coverage to clients. The company is led by Kevin DiPetrillo. The firm will now operate under the PointeNorth brand.

Twain Capital, Twain Insurance Agency

Twain Capital, an investment firm formed in 2021, has launched Twain Insurance Agency, based in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

Principals John Lawrence, Tom Davis and Griffin Willson were previously with Commercial Insurance Associates LLC brokerage.

The agency already has clients and carrier relationships around the country, Twain said. It will utilize technology, as well as a heavy emphasis on personal service with clients. The agency will focus on commercial property/casualty coverage and surety.

Arthur J. Gallagher, John Galt Insurance Agency

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has acquired Fort Lauderdale-based John Galt Insurance Agency, expanding Gallagher’s presence in the condominium and association market in Florida.

John Galt includes a commercial insurance agency and a personal lines property/casualty agency. Co-CEO Jim Rudd and the Galt team will remain at the firm under the direction of Bumpy Triche, head of Gallagher’s Southeast retail brokerage operations.

Illinois-headquartered Gallagher provides brokerage, risk management and consulting services in 130 countries.

Inszone, J.B. Martin Insurance Agencies

Inszone Insurance Services acquired J.B. Martin Insurance Agencies in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

This acquisition bolsters Inszone’s presence in the Southwest.

Since its establishment in 1981, John Bradley Martin and his team have built J.B. Martin Insurance Agencies to provide a spectrum of insurance lines.

Sacramento, California-based Inszone is an insurance brokerage firm that provides property/casualty insurance and employee benefits services.