Oakbridge Names New President and CEO as Smith Moves to Chairman Role

Georgia-headquartered Oakbridge Insurance, one the largest privately owned brokerages, announced that longtime president and CEO Robbie Smith will be executive chairman, starting July 1.

Matt James, the current chief financial officer and chief acquisition officer, will be named CEO. Trae Vaughn, previously the managing director of the brokerage, will take on the role of president, the company said this week.

“The vision and mission of Oakbridge remain unchanged,” James said in a news release. “We are doubling down on what has made us successful: a broadly aligned employee-centric model that empowers both the current and next generation of talent.”

Oakbridge, with offices in Alpharetta, Georgia, was founded in 2020 and has expanded steadily through acquisitions and partnerships with insurance agencies and brokerages around the Southeast. It has focused on commercial coverage, personal lines, employee benefits, surety and life and health coverage.

James has been with Oakbridge since 2020 and has overseen much of the merger and acquisition efforts. Before that, he worked with Prime Risk Partners and led his own M&A advisory firm. He earned his master of business administration degree from the Yale School of Management.

Vaughn has been a producer and sales leader and will continue the company’s producer-centered focus, the firm noted. He was previously with Brock Insurance Agency and with Travelers Insurance.