Transactions – PhiloSmith

Everett Cash Mutual Insurance Co. and Affiliated Companies

Acted as exclusive financial advisor to Everett Cash Mutual Insurance Co. and affiliated companies (ECM) on the announced sponsored demutualization and sale to Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE: ORI). ECM is a leading insurer of small farmowners and select commercial agricultural operations. Headquartered in Everett, PA and operating in 48 states and the District of Columbia, ECM wrote $237 million of direct written premium in 2024, and has a long-term track record of profitable growth.

Commenting on the transaction, Old Republic President & CEO, Craig R. Smiddy, said, "With ECM's 'narrow & deep' expertise in the farmowners and commercial agricultural market and their commitment to underwriting excellence, there is a strong strategic and cultural fit with ORI's portfolio of specialty companies. We welcome Randy Shaw, his team, and his customers to Old Republic and look forward to sustained profitable growth." Randy Shaw, ECM's President & CEO noted, "After 112 years, ECM has found a partner in Old Republic that shares our culture of underwriting excellence. With the combined financial and operational resources available to us, we can continue to pursue our mission of becoming the preeminent farmowners carrier in the country."

J.M. Wilson

Acted as exclusive financial advisor to J.M. Wilson Corporation (JM Wilson) in its sale to Ryan Specialty. Founded in 1920, JM Wilson has six offices throughout the United States.

The business has a broad offering, including products ranging from personal lines to surety and is particularly well known for their transportation expertise. JM Wilson’s success in the difficult class of transportation is a result of the business’ historical underwriting profitability, which has allowed JM Wilson to maintain multi-decade relationships with high quality carriers.

JM Wilson generated approximately $19 million of operating revenue for the 12 months ended January 31, 2025.

Market Finders, Inc.

Acted as exclusive financial advisor to Market Finders, Inc. (MFI) in its sale to Monarch E&S Insurance Services (Monarch), a division of Specialty Program Group LLC (SPG). Founded in 1971, Market Finders is a respected managing general agent and wholesale broker headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Market Finders has a long-standing reputation as the go-to MGA in New Mexico. With access to more than 30 markets (many on a binding authority basis), MFI specializes in both personal and commercial lines, including transportation risks.

Led by President Steve Shaffer, the company has built a strong network of retail agents and is known for its ease of doing business and commitment to client relationships.

Tim Parkman, Inc.

Acted as exclusive financial advisor to Tim Parkman, Inc. (TPI) in its sale to Bridge Specialty Group (a subsidiary of Brown & Brown, Inc.). Established in 2002, TPI is a full-service wholesale insurance brokerage located in Clinton, Mississippi. TPI was founded with a mission to provide all customers with consistently superior service while sustaining positive underwriting results. Initially focused on personal lines, TPI has expanded into commercial lines and leverages its proprietary state-of-the-art technology platform to deliver premier service to its network of over 5,000 retail agents. TPI will continue to operate from Clinton, Mississippi, under the leadership of President Mike Leach. Tim Parkman will continue with the business, providing oversight and support. Mike Leach will report to Jason Haupt, regional president of Bridge Specialty Group’s Mid-Atlantic and Delta region.

SLB Insurance Group

Acted as exclusive financial advisor to SLB Insurance Group (SLB), a specialty wholesale brokerage and managing general agency, in its sale to CRC Group. The acquisition of SLB expands CRC Group’s binding operations in the Southeast, nearly doubling its presence in South Florida and enhancing its capabilities in Louisiana. This also marks CRC Group’s first acquisition since becoming an independent wholesaler in 2024.

Established in 2000, SLB focuses on small to midmarket property and casualty, trucking and personal lines insurance. The company is led by Darren Marsh, Trevor Keyes and Keith Hinson, all of whom will continue to lead SLB, reporting to Brennan Paris, President of CRC Binding.

Norfolk & Dedham Group

Acted as exclusive advisor to Norfolk & Dedham Group (N&D) in its affiliation with Union Mutual. Both N&D and Union Mutual are rated A (Excellent) with a Stable outlook by AM Best. The affiliation brings a unified next step toward mutual growth and resilience for both companies, their employees, policyholders, agents, community partners and vendors. Joel P. Murray and Lisa L. Keysar will remain President and CEO of their respective organizations. Murray will serve as Board Chair of the combined group.

The new group will write a balanced book of personal and commercial lines business in eight states with approximately $596 million in direct written premium and over $580 million in policyholder surplus. The group will have approximately 250 employees and 600 independent agents with 1,000 agency offices across the Northeast. Each company will continue to market products under their existing brands in each of their respective marketplaces.

N&D will maintain their headquarters in Dedham, MA, as they have since their founding in 1825. Union Mutual will also maintain their headquarters in Montpelier, VT, where it celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.

Spencer Gray Insurance

Acted as exclusive financial advisor to Spencer E. Gray, Jr. LLC (Spencer Gray Insurance), a leading provider of insurance solutions in Maine, in its merger with J. Edward Knight Insurance.

Led by Spencer and Elizabeth Gray, Spencer Gray Insurance has been a cornerstone of the Bath, ME community since 2002, offering personalized insurance solutions tailored to individual and business needs.

By joining forces with J. Edward Knight, Spencer Gray Insurance’s clients will gain access to an expanded range of insurance products, services and additional resources.

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