Best Agency to Work For – Midwest Silver Winner: Ansay and Associates

For over 75 years, Ansay and Associates has invested in its future by investing in its people.

“As a family owned and independent agency, we have the freedom to focus on long-term success rather than short-term gains,” said Mike Ansay, CEO and chairman of the Port Washington, Wisconsin-based agency.

“People want to feel like they’re part of something bigger and that their work has purpose,” he said. “By aligning your company’s vision with their aspirations, you create a shared mission that drives everyone forward.”

Founded by Ansay’s father, Adolph Ansay, in 1946, the agency now serves over 12,000 businesses and 45,000 individuals throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest. The company is Insurance Journal’s Best Agency to Work For Silver award winner for the Midwest this year.

The employee nominations in IJ’s Best Agencies to Work For survey mean his father’s vision is being achieved, said Ansay. “It’s a reflection of the strong culture we’ve built together — one where everyone feels valued, heard, and supported,” he said. “This culture is rooted in the values my father instilled when he founded this company. His commitment to integrity, hard work, and putting people first has shaped the way we operate today, and I’m proud to continue that legacy.”

Ansay and Associates runs on the main principle that people come first, said one nominating employee. “It not only applies to our clients but our Ansay team/family,” they said. “When you take care of the ‘Person.’ Whether that’s the client, yourself, teammate, or family – all good things fall into place. … We work for the client – not the dollar … and I think that shows in our passion for and service to our policyholders.”

The company has an equitable hierarchy in which every employee, from the bottom up, feels as though they are valued and have a stake and a role in creating the agency’s success.

The vision is, “creating a positive, supportive work environment starts with genuinely caring for your employees’ well-being, both professionally and personally,” Ansay said. “Foster a culture where every team member feels valued, empowered, and heard.”

Leadership takes the time to mentor and encourage employees to grow in their careers, said multiple employees. And the agency’s Ansay University provides an opportunity for employees to develop skills and keep up with changes in the industry.

“They are willing to make changes to positions to fit the employee,” said one nominating employee. “People are in roles where their best qualities shine.”

Employees are encouraged to explore every opportunity and get outside their comfort zones to find their niche, said another staff member. “Mike Ansay and all of upper management’s view really is that they succeed when we succeed.”

Recognition and networking events throughout the year celebrate successes and build camaraderie. For example:

• The agency’s annual Big Ansay Party, known as the “BAP,” includes carrier partners for a day of face-to-face collaboration, food, fun and prizes.
• The company’s “Wheel of Wow” showcases compliments from policyholders and gives associates a chance to win cash prizes.
• The executive team embarks on an annual Ansay Culture Tour, traveling to all the firm’s locations to show appreciation to every team member.
• Employees are also given 32 paid volunteer hours per year to work for causes they support in their communities.

Mike Ansay’s best advice to other agency owners is to prioritize your people above all else. “Our employees are the heart of this company, and to know that they believe in our mission and feel proud to be part of it means a great deal to me,” he said. “It reinforces my belief that when you create a positive environment where people can thrive, success follows naturally.”

“Insurance may seem like a technical business, but at its core, it’s a people business,” Ansay added.