Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.After six months of negotiating, Itasca, Ill.-based Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG) acquired 16-year Springfield insurance consultant Jenkins & Associates on Dec. 27. Terms were not disclosed. Started by
Douglas Jenkins in 1997 out of his home, Jenkins & Associates offers employee benefit brokerage and consulting services for some 250 clients in Missouri and Arkansas, Jenkins said. Specializing in public school consortiums and group plans, Jenkins advised on key Missouri legislation that authorized consortium insurance plans seven years ago, and the firm developed the state’s first private sector consortium for Missouri Association of Manufacturers. In the Gallagher deal, Jenkins and a staff of seven will remain in the Springfield office, 300 S. Jefferson Ave., Ste. 600, in Missouri State University’s Meyer Alumni Center, working under the direction of
William Ziebell, head of Gallagher’s North Central employee benefit brokerage and compensation consulting operations. The deal is among six acquisitions Gallagher & Co. closed in December and 15 since September. Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: (417) 886-8986. Web:
JenkinsAndAssociates.comLeaky Roof MeaderyLeaky Roof Meadery in Buffalo opened its taproom Jan. 3 at 1306 S. Azalea St., marking the end of a long road for the business partners developing the honey-based alcoholic beverage. After getting laid off from Hellbender Meadery just days ahead of production in Rogersville – amid synthetic drug distribution charges against its owners in late 2012 – Todd Rock, Andrew Steiger and Jhett Collins set off to open their own meadery. On an acre purchased in Buffalo, the trio built a 6,400-square-foot manufacturing facility. Their own plan was delayed by the partial U.S. government shutdown in October – just days away from receiving a federal alcohol license. With production in place, Rock said he expects to release limited mead flavors to area bars within a few weeks and to retailers by spring. The small taproom sells nine meads, such as ginger, apple, mixed berry and a pumpkin pie fall seasonal. Hours: 4–7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 4–8 p.m. Thursday and 4–10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Phone: (417) 345-1233. Web:
LeakyRoofMeadery.comSend new business info to sbj@sbj.net.
