CRC Group announced Oct. 1 that it has completed the acquisition of Specialty Risk Associates Inc., a Shreveport-based MGA and surplus lines broker. “We have long admired and respected the Specialty Risk Associates team. They are proven leaders in the binding, transportation and personal lines segments across Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas,” said Dave Obenauer, CEO of CRC Group. The addition of Specialty Risk continues CRC Group’s expansion in binding, transportation binding and personal lines, which has seen the company add more than 80 new producers and several new offices focused on those products in the last year. Specialty Risk brings CRC Group additional talent and operations in Louisiana and across the Gulf States Region. “Partnering with CRC Group will allow us to bring more to our retail agent partners,” said John Wood, president and CEO of Specialty Risk Associates. “Our underwriters will have access to expanded products, additional carriers and industry leading technology – like CRC’s REDY platform. We believe the CRC Group team shares our values and our commitment to customers, and we are truly looking forward to the new opportunities this combination will bring.” Specialty Risk Associates will be a part of CRC Group’s Commercial Solutions Division. Over the coming months, the CRC and Specialty Risk teams will work together to integrate their operations. Until then, the company will continue to operate under its current brand name with no changes to location or underwriter contact details.
Arthur J. Gallagher and Co. announced Sept. 16 the acquisition of West Monroe-based The Kirksey Agency Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The Kirksey Agency was founded in 1980 with crop insurance as its flagship product, servicing Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi. The agency has expanded its offerings in recent years to provide a full range of commercial and personal products and services to clients across the South Central United States. Bill and Grace Kirksey and their team will continue to operate in their current location under the direction of Numa J. “Bumpy” Triche, head of Gallagher’s Mid-South region retail property/casualty brokerage operations. “The Kirksey Agency expands Gallagher’s agricultural capabilities and deepens our client offerings across the Mid-South region,” said J. Patrick Gallagher Jr., chairman, president and CEO. “We are very pleased to welcome Bill, Grace and their associates to our growing, global team.” Arthur J. Gallagher is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The company has operations in 49 countries and offers client-service capabilities in more than 150 countries around the world through a network of brokers and consultants.
BXS Insurance Inc., a subsidiary of BancorpSouth Bank, announced Oct. 8 that it has acquired the assets of Alexander and Sanders Insurance Agency Inc. Alexander and Sanders, headquartered in Baton Rouge, provides risk management and insurance services to professional firms across Louisiana. The agency was founded in 1958 and is owned by Wyatt Sanders and Justin Sanders. Alexander and Sanders will operate from BXS Insurance’s Baton Rouge office. “This transaction allows us to add talented leaders and teammates to our team and provides a unique opportunity to enhance our construction practice within Louisiana and across BXS Insurance’s footprint,” said Markham McKnight, president and CEO of BXS Insurance. “We’re excited to blend Alexander and Sanders’ expertise with ours to provide exceptional services for our clients.” Wyatt Sanders stated, “We’re proud to have served Louisiana professionals for more than 60 years, and we’re pleased that we’ve found the right partner to continue our legacy for the years to come. This will be a great opportunity for our customers and our team.” Justin Sanders added, “We’re looking forward to joining forces with BXS Insurance and leveraging its expansive resources to provide our customers with expanded insurance and risk management solutions.” BXS Insurance Inc. is licensed in all 50 states.