Last month, two of the largest insurance agencies in the Springfield area quietly merged.
Springfield-based Ollis & Co. joined forces on July 1 with Branson-based Akers & Arney to create a 100 percent employee-owned firm dubbed Ollis/Akers/Arney.
“We’re extremely excited about the rich history of both organizations becoming one,” CEO Richard Ollis said in a news release sent this morning exclusively to Springfield Business Journal. “Our company will be adding over 20 new employee-owners and expanding our services.”
Ollis was unavailable for comment by deadline, but Marketing and Communications Director Carly Pierson said Akers & Arney employees would be joining Ollis & Co.’s employee stock ownership plan.
“We are starting to educate them on what it means to be part of an ESOP, so they will come into the fold just the same as a new employee who receives a statement after they’ve been with the firm a year,” she said.
Ollis & Co. was the sixth-largest insurance firm in the area as of November, with 29 agents and 34 local staff, according to SBJ list research. Akers & Arney ranked No. 9 with 14 agents and 18 employees. PJC Insurance Agency LLC topped the list with 39 agents and 44 local staff.
Ollis/Akers/Arney comprises nearly 50 employees, according to the release, and combined, the staff has about 400 years of agency employee experience and nearly 200 years of agency history. Ollis & Co. was founded in 1885, and Akers & Arney was founded in 1952.
According to the release, Ollis/Akers/Arney’s new leadership team comprises:
• Richard Ollis, CEO;
• David Arney, chief operating officer;
• John Akers, vice president of benefits;
• Richard Russell, director of private clients;
• Jennifer Silliman, chief financial officer;
• Kevin Robbins, chief sales officer; and
• Karen Shannon, director of human resources and business consulting.
“This merger creates a stronger organization with more opportunities for our employees, and our clients will see enhanced service and additional products,” said Arney, the former president and CEO of Akers & Arney.
Ollis/Akers/Arney is maintaining offices in its current locations in Springfield and Branson, and clients can expect to continue working with their original teams, the release said. Ollis & Co. offers business and personal risk insurance, as well as a specialization in employee benefits, according to SBJ list research. Other insurance services include human resources and wellness consulting, dedicated claims management, executive succession and strategic planning. Akers & Arney sells business insurance, benefits and health insurance, home, auto and life insurance, as well as bonds. Other services include business consulting, workers’ compensation analysis, risk reduction programs, human resources and payroll.
A new website is in development –
OllisAkersArney.com – and should be up and running next week, said Pierson.
