Connell Insurance buys Ava firm

Last edited 12:09 p.m., Feb. 25, 2015

Hollister-based Connell Insurance Inc. closed last week on the purchase of an Ava commercial property and casualty business.

With the acquisition of Select Risk Insurance Inc., the company’s owner and president, Steve Harter, comes on board with Connell as a commercial lines insurance consultant working out of the firm's Hollister office. Connell Insurance agreed to buy the company for an undisclosed amount Jan. 1, President Tim Connell said.

"I've had a relationship with Steve close to 30 years," he said. "Steve decided to sell his agency and was looking for a home. It seemed to make sense for everybody."

Connell said the company’s growth - including the August opening of a Springfield office - fueled the purchase.

"If you're not growing, you're not going anywhere," he said. "We basically have really started to ramp up and expand the operation."[[In-content Ad]]