Insurance has been a part of Jay Fribourg’s life from the very beginning. His insurance career began when he interned at his family’s agency filing and scanning documents. After graduating from college, Fribourg joined the family agency but eventually broke off and started his own agency, Bentley Insurance, named after his 130-pound Great Dane. In 2012, Bentley Insurance was acquired by Pinnacle Insurance Group.

However, his experience working in a cybersecurity distributor startup firm led Fribourg to partner with former coworkers and create BlueZone Cyber Solutions, combining expertise in both insurance and cybersecurity.

At BlueZone, we have this goal to bring enterprise-level security down to the small business owner. That’s what we’ve been really focused on,” Fribourg says. “Nowadays, the targets are these small businesses that don’t have the protection in place and they could really use a good outsource team.

“We put a package together for them and for their insurance agencies,” he adds. “It’s that easy button that they can push.”

Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts.

Fribourg was also featured in the January issue of Independent Agent. Check out his interview in the link below or read the full issue online.

https://www.iamagazine.com/magazine/issues/2025/january/declaration-of-independents-jay-fribourg

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Jay Fribourg

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayfribourg/

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Jennifer Becker, Big “I” Senior Director of Agent Development and Research and Education, is joined by Andy Siegel of Siegel Insurance and chair of the Big “I” council for Best Practices and Katy Stewart of Olis/Akers/Arney Insurance & Business Advisors and a member of the council for Best Practices to discuss about benefits and data that can be gleaned from the study.

The Big “I” Best Practices study is the annual report done in partnership with Reagan Consulting and analyzes the performance of the nation's leading agencies to uncover methods, strategies and procedures. Throughout the episode, the three chat about how these agencies may be using the data to help set goals and make decisions as we enter 2025.

Towards the end of the episode, Siegel offers a tip for agencies who are considering or were nominated to become a Best Practices agenct. “The value of the data you get out is priceless. You spend a few hours of time putting all this together, but if you can position your agency to be more efficient, more profitable, it has more value. You might attract more producers, you might attract more carriers when you're running a good financial ship. Everything seems to rise with it. So, the rising tide lifts all boats. If you have a financially sound agency, it attracts better markets, better producers, better employees service team. So go for it.”

Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts.

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Andy Siegel

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andynsiegel

Katy Stewart

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-stewart-0111b8188/

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we meet Stephanie Dew, President, Agency Owner of WinStar Insurance Group in Cedar Park, Texas.

In 2022, Dew, then 20% owner of WinStar, learned that the other two owners would be retiring. She didn’t want to see the agency absorbed by the large buyers circling overhead and decided she would buy it herself—even if it meant mortgaging her house.

“It devastated me to think that these employees who have worked so hard to build up the agency would have to watch it get gobbled up by another agency that I didn’t think would value our clients the way we do,” Dew says. “I went to my family first to make sure my husband and kids were on board. And they knew this was my dream. We had our house pretty much paid off, and I took a loan on it and did everything I needed to make it happen.”

WinStar’s defined niches propel its growth, from wineries and water entities to emergency services. The agency has been a Best Practices agency since 2019.

Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts.

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we explore technology and its real-world impact on independent agencies. Join host Bobbie Collies, chief insurance officer at Coterie Insurance, as she unpacks how technology is not just about tools and software—it’s about people.

Collies is joined by two industry leaders: Chris Cline, executive director of the Big “I” Agents Council for Technology (ACT), and Todd Jackson, Big “I” Chairman and owner and partner at McGowan Insurance Group. Together, they discuss the challenges, opportunities and future of technology in the independent agency system.

Cline discusses the evolution of ACT, including an overview of the “Letter to the Industry,” which highlights the pillars critical to technology success: data, connectivity, AI and people. As an agency owner, Jackson brings perspective to listeners who may want to see their agency use more technology, but aren’t sure the best path for leadership buy-in.

“Understand that you may be working in an agency that’s owned by someone like me, and you may find resistance, you may find challenges and this may frustrate you at times,” says Jackson, “And this hopefully will be a perspective for you to see how to talk to these folks, who are intimidated and don’t understand what’s available to them and give them avenues and insights on ways to embrace that.”

Whether you’re a tech-savvy agent or just starting to explore what technology can do for your agency, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you thrive in today’s digital landscape.

Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts.

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we meet Andrew Ryan, vice president of Hertvik Insurance Group in Medina, Ohio.

Despite being unimpressed by the software on offer when he first joined the independent agency channel, Ryan has relished the opportunity to constantly innovate and improve agency technology and processes.

Currently, Ryan is embarking on a new project—Engineered Insurance Services (EIS)—which is a joint venture between Hertvik Insurance and Engineered Tax Services, a premier specialty tax firm based in West Palm Beach, Florida, and a product of decades of commitment to driving change.

“In our new agency, just as with picking technology, we’re assembling a team with diverse skills and focusing on our strengths,” Ryan says. “This fresh start is thrilling and gives us the opportunity to create something innovative and efficient.”

Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts.

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Andrew Ryan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewryanins/

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, AnneMarie McPherson Spears, news editor, Independent Agent magazine, interviews Kristina Witzling, executive vice president and property & casualty practice lead at Zeldis about the findings from the 2024 Agency Universe Study.

The Agency Universe Study by Future One, a collaboration of the Big “I" and leading independent agency companies, is hailed as the most comprehensive look at the independent agency system. First conducted in 1983 and completed biennially since 2002, the study is facilitated by Zeldis Research and surveys property & casualty independent agents and brokers.

The 2024 study was released at the end of September and sheds light on the state of the independent agency channel as it moves past the coronavirus pandemic and through the hard market.

Witzling discusses a range of findings from the latest study, including the total number of independent insurance agencies, how mergers & acquisitions are impacting the distribution channel, the biggest factors behind agency success in the hard market and more.

Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts.

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we meet Haley Andrews, vice president of Gaines Insurance Agency in El Dorado Hills, California.

Growing up in a family where insurance was a topic of conversation at the dinner table, Andrews' future in insurance was written in the stars. After earning a degree in business with a concentration in insurance and risk management from Sacramento State University, Andrews accepted an internship from Nationwide. However, a few years later, she answered the call from her father, Ted Gaines, to join the family agency.

Since then, Andrews has become involved in local associations, serving as president of Independent Insurance Agents of Sacramento (IIAB Sacramento) in 2023. This year, she is serving as the Northern California director on the board of the Independent Insurance Agents of California (IIAB Cal).

However, operating in California has its challenges. “It’s not so sunny and beautiful here in California when it comes to insurance,” Gaines says.

“Nevertheless, our agency works well as a team by constantly communicating how we can be dynamic to meet our client’s needs,” she says. “The key for us is to always work together and just focus on what we can control: our attitude and how we work with our clients.”

Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts.

Gaines was also featured in the October issue of Independent Agent. Read the full issue online.

https://www.iamagazine.com/magazine/issues/2024/october/declaration-of-independents-haley-andrews

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Joseph Cox, director of marketing at Trusted Choice®, hosts a conversation with Jamie O'Hearn, president of O'Hearn insurance in Lowell, Massachusetts, and Philip Schmitz, chief client protection officer at Schmitz Insurance in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, about the role of social media in a modern insurance agency.

The guests share how they’ve boosted client engagement through social platforms and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Tune in for practical tips to elevate your independent insurance agency's social media game.

"The biggest lesson is just to do it and be consistent with it,” says O’Hearn. “Put a procedure in place to make sure that you're doing these things."

O’Hearn and Schmitz also share their insights on building a strong online presence to attract clients, the benefits of tools like Social Jazz for consistent posting and why it’s critical to stay active on social media platforms. They also discuss how leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbots might shape the future of client engagement.

To watch this episode click the link below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMVFpzPViqY

Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts.

Guests:

Host: Joseph Cox, Marketing Director, Trusted Choice https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephmcox/

James O’Hearn, President, O’Hearn Insurance https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesohearn/

Philip Schmitz, Chief Client Protection Officer, Schmitz Insurance https://www.linkedin.com/in/philschmitz/

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we meet Ivie Isler, assistant vice president and marketing analyst supervisor at McGriff Insurance Services in Birmingham, Alabama.

From serving as president of the Birmingham Independent Insurance Agents (BIIA) to chair of the Alabama Independent Insurance Agents (AIIA) young agents committee (YAC)—and numerous other roles in between—Isler isn't one to shy away from an opportunity to help the independent agency channel.

Isler's leadership was instrumental in helping AIIA win its first InsurPac Eagle Award. She emphasizes the importance of being involved in legislation. “If you are not involved with it, then people outside of your industry are making changes to your industry that will impact you,” she says. “You have to have a voice.”

In 2023, Isler received the InsurPac Young Agent of the Year award for her role in AIIA's Eagle status. In 2024, Isler also received the national Young Agent of the Year Award for leadership in her local and state associations and involvement in national YAC events.

Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear.

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For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts.

Isler was also featured in the September issue of Independent Agent. Check out her interview here or read the full issue online.

In this episode of Agency Nation Radio, host Nancy Germond, Big “I" executive director of risk management and education, dives deep into the world of workers compensation with Lisa Alea, senior product manager at the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI).

The NCCI recently marked its 100th anniversary. During this time, it has supported the insurance industry and workers comp market by offering valuable resources to insurers, agents and businesses, such as the recently launched Learning Center.

"Our mission is to help foster a healthy workers compensation system and our Learning Center is a key resource for agents to stay informed and equipped," Alea said.

Alea also touched on the current state of the workers comp market, noting that "we're seeing a shift towards more tailored solutions as employers face new challenges in managing workplace safety and compliance,” she said. “It's more important than ever for agents to stay updated and leverage the latest tools to address these evolving needs."

Tune in to discover how to navigate the complexities of workers comp, enhance your niche marketing strategies, and better serve your clients in today's market. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the industry, this episode offers practical advice and insights to help you succeed.

Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit https://www.iamagazine.com/podcasts.

Lisa Alea

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-alea-4459a614/