We were founded on the power of relationships, and that power still drives our culture today.
Over the years, we’ve grown – our business, our team and even our home office. Today, we’re the largest privately held insurance brokerage in the country. But our team of 450 maintains the same service-centered culture we started with in 1971.
Jim Ash learned the value of customer service while working in his father’s hardware store. After serving in the Marines, he was laid off from an entry-level job at International Harvester due to a strike. As he was walking out, someone asked if he had ever thought about the insurance business. Jim responded, “Certainly that’d be better than drawing unemployment.”
On his first day as an agent, he delivered a $1,000 claim check, and realized that’s what the business is all about. He took a chance, became an independent broker, and made it his goal to help other insurance agents focus on their impact.
Operating out of what is now the STAR Bank building in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Jim Ash begins selling group and individual health insurance with three employees and one mission: Do the right thing for the buyer, seller and the provider
As opportunities present, Ash moves to an office on Columbia Avenue, with payroll deduction life insurance as the first life insurance product offered
From new offices in what is now the Anthony Wayne building, Tim begins selling universal life insurance and Ash exits the health insurance brokerage space
Ash Brokerage officially becomes a multi-generation business, as Tim takes the lead in supporting and growing his father’s vision
Moving from Main Street in downtown Fort Wayne to a fresh space – conveniently close to the airport – Ash employs more than 50 people
Building on the approach to working with highly productive independent advisors, these key relationships lead to the start of our Summit meetings
The latest case manager to join the team officially pushes the number of employees into triple digits
With 200 employees and continued fast growth, larger office space is purchased complete with a training room for hosting events
Establishing an office in New York City, Ash continues to grow through a national footprint of regional sales offices
Extending our commitment to long-term care and linked benefit solutions, the new partnership pushes Ash Brokerage to more than 300 team members
A white-glove service provides RIAs with a client-driven, outcome-oriented approach for including insurance into their clients’ financial plans
Employees settle into a newly built headquarters, Ash Skyline Plaza, in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne – and right across the street from Jim’s original office
Ash’s in-house broker-dealer is established for facilitating the sale of variable life insurance and annuities
After years of research and design, JourneyGuide is launched as a standalone brand offering retirement income planning software
With a goal of complementing organic growth, a short-term partnership with Century Equity Partners begins
55 employees from Freehold, New Jersey and Charlotte, North Carolina join the Ash Brokerage team, pushing the total to more than 400 professionals nationwide
Overland Park, Kansas becomes the latest Ash office location, with 30 additional employees aligning under the Ash brand
As an integral part of the Ash team, culture and family since 2001, Jason Grover takes the role of President to help further shape our growth
Bell’s 15 employees form a partnership to amplify growth and reach while remaining under their own operational brand
A strategic relationship is created with Aimcor Group, a national insurance marketing organization (IMO), to drive innovation in the brokerage process
After several selective acquisitions, Ash repurchases Century Equity Partners’ interest and makes a commitment to remain a fully independent, closely held company
Ash’s custom-built technology platform is spun out into a standalone company to transform the way the insurance industry does business