IBA Recognizes Top Specialist Wholesale Brokers for 2025
Insurance Business America (IBA) has unveiled its highly anticipated Top Specialist Wholesale Brokers list for 2025. This annual compilation spotlights industry professionals who demonstrate exceptional skill in navigating the challenges of placing complex and hard-to-insure risks. The list acknowledges brokers who consistently develop tailored insurance solutions, providing significant value to retail agents and their clients.
Market Trends Shaping the Wholesale Brokerage Landscape
Recent data from the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB) indicates ongoing shifts in the commercial insurance market. Commercial insurance premiums experienced an average increase of 5.1% during Q3 2024, a slight decrease compared to the 5.2% reported in the previous quarter. Notably, medium-sized accounts saw the most significant premium rise at 5.6%, while small accounts saw an increase of 4.4%, possibly reflecting increased competition among insurance carriers. Most lines of business experienced lower rate hikes in Q3 2024 than in Q2 2024, with the exception of umbrella coverage, which continued its upward trend. Additionally, premiums for workers’ compensation, cyber, and directors and officers (D&O) liability all declined, echoing patterns observed in earlier quarters.
Key Practices of Leading Brokers
The IBA’s selection process for the Top Specialist Wholesale Brokers list considered several key factors. Successful brokers were evaluated on their ability to originate industry-specific insurance programs, adeptly manage specialized risks, and consistently improve financial outcomes for their clients. According to IBA, some of the most effective strategies included developing exclusive insurance programs that address the unique exposures of specific industries, applying consultative sales techniques to understand and meet complex client needs, and leveraging strong industry relationships to efficiently navigate the wholesale market.
Selection Process for the 2025 List
This year marks the ninth iteration of IBA’s Top Specialist Wholesale Brokers list. Insurance professionals nationwide were invited to nominate brokers based on their expertise, specialization, and success in securing competitive coverage for retail agents and their clients. The final list was determined through a comprehensive review of professional achievements and the nominated brokers’ impact on the insurance industry over the past 12 months.
2025 Top Specialist Wholesale Brokers
The brokers listed below were among the individuals and firms recognized for their outstanding contributions in 2025. These brokers have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in the field and are actively shaping the future of the wholesale insurance market.
- Chad Hall, RT Specialty
- Dante Pezzi, Risk Placement Services
- James Rozzi, Risk Placement Services
- Jared Boring, WestPac
- Jason Sawin, Risk Placement Services
- Niko Matic, Risk Placement Service
- Rikki Concannon, Risk Placement Services
- Brian Stephenson, Wholesure
- Chris Votta, Wholesure
- Clay Fuchs, QuoteWell
- Dennis Fox, Brown & Riding
- Grant Chiles, AmWins
- John Grise, AmWins
- Joe Reynolds, RT Specialty
- Liz Goldie, AmWins
- Matt Dross, Wholesure
- Michael Davis, Brown & Riding
- Robert Pedersen, Brown & Riding
- Sarah Marsh, Wholesure
- Stephanie Buchanan, Wholesure
- Thurston Davis, RT Specialty
For a complete list of the 2025 Top Specialist Wholesale Brokers and more detailed insights, visit IBA’s special report.
