Transactions

Direct Auto Insurance Company

Acted as exclusive financial advisor to Direct Auto Insurance Company in its sale to NI Holdings, Inc. Headquartered in Chicago, IL, Direct Auto underwrites specialty automobile insurance in the state of Illinois through independent agents. NI Holdings, Inc. is an insurance holding company, which fully owns Nodak Insurance Company. Nodak’s acquisition of Direct Auto furthers its goal of diversifying its business and expanding its insurance operations. Joe Fitzgerald, the President of Direct Auto, and one of the principal shareholders will continue to manage the Direct Auto insurance operations.

JenCap Holdings

Acted as exclusive financial advisor to JenCap Holdings LLC in its acquisition of Genesee General. Founded in 1982, Genesee General is a full-service managing general agency and wholesale broker that specializes in commercial insurance products for the excess and surplus lines industry as well as servicing the catastrophe and program business markets. Genesee General is based in Alpharetta, GA and has been led by Roger Ware since 1998. JenCap was formed in March 2016 by global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group and JenCap management to consolidate specialty insurance distribution businesses, including managing general agents, program managers and transactional wholesale brokers. The acquisition of Genesee General is the seventh transaction by JenCap since its founding, and places the company among the largest wholesale brokers in the U.S.

Manning & Nozick

Acted as exclusive financial advisor to Manning & Nozick Insurance Agency in its sale to Brown & Brown. Manning & Nozick has been a presence in Atlanta for over 70 years. The agency provides a wide variety of personal and business insurance products and services to clients in the greater Atlanta area and nationally. Following the acquisition, Manning & Nozick will combine with Brown & Brown’s existing Atlanta offices. Brian Coffsky, Robert Franco and Stanley Westerman, the principals of Manning & Nozick, are all remaining with the agency and will continue to serve their clients and grow their business.

Southeastern Insurance Agency

Acted as exclusive financial advisor to Southeastern Insurance Agency in its sale to Eastern Insurance Group LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eastern Bank. The company was founded in 1978 by Bradford Lowe and is a highly regarded retail insurance agent offering both personal and commercial insurance through its offices in North Dartmouth and Hyannis, MA. Eastern Insurance has plans for the acquired operation to continue to expand in the Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fall River and Cape Cod areas under the leadership of Lora Lowe FitzGerald and Bradford Lowe

Sachs Walsh Insurance

Acted as exclusive financial advisor to Sachs Walsh Insurance in its sale to AssuredPartners. Based in Westport, CT, Sachs Walsh is a retail insurance agency that offers personal and commercial property and casualty insurance, as well as life, health and long-term care coverage. Since its founding in 1978, Sachs Walsh has established itself as one of the premier independent agencies in Fairfield County. Sachs Walsh will maintain its local presence and continue to be led by President Teri Walsh.

Holden Agency

Acted as exclusive financial advisor to the Holden Agency in its sale to Cross Insurance. Founded in 1955, the Holden Agency is a longstanding independent agency based in Portland, ME. Holden provides employee benefits and property and casualty products to commercial and personal lines clients. Headquartered in Bangor, ME, Cross Insurance saw the acquisition as a tremendous opportunity to expand its operations in Maine. Holden executives Thomas Holden and John Benoit will continue to serve and assist with management of the business.

N-Surance Outlets

Acted as exclusive financial advisor to N-Surance Outlets in its sale to Ryan Specialty Group. N-Surance Outlets (NSO) is a wholesale insurance brokerage and binding authority operation headquartered in Roswell, GA with a branch office in Tarpon Springs, FL. Founded in 1985, NSO specializes in commercial P&C, transportation and garage risks, servicing over 1,000 agents in the Southeast. Jason Murrey, President of NSO, and his team will continue to service and expand their client base.

A. E. Barnes Insurance Agency

Acted as exclusive financial advisor to A. E. Barnes Insurance Agency in its sale to Cross Insurance. Based in South Weymouth, MA, A. E. Barnes is one of the leading independent agencies in the South Shore region. Founded in 1915, the agency provides products and services for its varied clientele, including both small and large commercial and personal lines clients. Former owners Preston Hoffman and Geoffrey Hoffman will continue to manage the South Weymouth office and will continue to serve as President and Vice President, respectively.

Peter M. Bakker Agency

Acted as exclusive financial advisor to Peter M. Bakker Agency, Inc. in its sale to Renaissance Alliance Insurance Services. Based in Avon, CT, the Bakker Agency is a long-standing New England retail agent with a strong, balanced portfolio of personal and commercial clients. Renaissance Alliance is a Wellesley, MA-based coalition of independent agencies, insurers, and service providers who provide insurance services and products to personal and commercial insureds throughout New England. The acquisition creates a Connecticut-based hub for Renaissance Alliance, furthering its commitment to growing its member network and strengthening its service capabilities to independent agencies in New England and beyond. The Bakker Agency will remain an independent agency under the Chairmanship of Renaissance Alliance President J. Bruce Cochrane. Peter M. Bakker, Sr. will be special assistant to the Chairman and John T. Maschi will remain as President of the Bakker Agency, reporting directly to Cochrane.