Two long-time local insurance agencies – Horizon Insurance Agency and Hester, Heitel & Associates – merged on November 1, 2019, and as of January 15, 2020, were acquired by and are now operating as AssuredPartners, one of the fastest-growing insurance brokers in the United States.

“2020 would have been our 30th anniversary, and Hester, Heitel & Associates have been in business since 1953. Given each firms’ longevity, trusted teams and decades of expertise, we felt it was an ideal point in each of our agency’s development to further strengthen our offerings by joining forces with one of the largest, most innovative brokers in the business,” said Jim Mann, Agency President of the newly formed AssuredPartners.

AssuredPartners was founded in 2011 and has since become one of the fastest-growing independent insurance agencies in the nation, exceeding more than $1.3 billion in revenue. Their national partnership of leading independent property, casualty and employee benefit brokerage firms have grown to encompass 38 states and two countries following its newly formed presence in greater Phoenix (located at 7500 N. Dreamy Draw Dr., #100, Phoenix, AZ 85020).

“In addition to the myriad of products both of our firms offer – such as property and casualty insurance, employee benefits and personal insurance – the transition to AssuredPartners has allowed us to expand upon our offerings and provide access to a myriad of resources in the risk management space,” said Brett Benton, SVP/Sales Leader of the newly formed AssuredPartners Phoenix office. “The leverage now carried by our combined teams and the industry-specific programming available to both individuals and companies will be a game-changer.”

While services and options offered to clients will expand, the team prides itself on maintaining the same level of customer service for clients of all sizes. “We’ve always taken great pride in our customer service and this merger is going to take that to a whole new level,” said John Heitel, Vice President of AssuredPartners newly formed Phoenix office. “Client relations and team culture are two major components of our business and to align with AssuredPartners, who has the same high standards in these areas, will allow us to become more efficient while continuing to maintain that same individualized attention for both current and new clientele.”

“As two of the most sought-after insurance agencies in Arizona, it was their independent growth that put them on the radar for AssuredPartners.  We are pleased to have the union of the two agencies, and we would like to welcome the clients and experienced teams to AssuredPartners”, stated AssuredPartners President and COO Tom Riley.

The newly formed AssuredPartners executive team will be comprised of the following individuals, overseeing the now combined 50+ employees:

Jim Mann, Agency President

John Heitel, Agency Vice President

Brett Benton, SVP/Sales Leader

Paula Itule, Agency COO

Jenelle Conaway, Controller

For more information on the transition of Horizon Insurance Agency and Hester, Heitel & Associates to AssuredPartners (located at 7500 N. Dreamy Draw Dr., #100, Phoenix, AZ 85020), visit www.assuredpartners.com or call 602.992.9750.