IBA Announces Top Specialist Wholesale Brokers for 2025
Insurance Business America (IBA) has unveiled its annual Top Specialist Wholesale Brokers list for 2025, highlighting industry professionals adept at placing complex and hard-to-insure risks.
This year’s list recognizes brokers who have demonstrated exceptional skill in developing tailored coverage solutions, bringing significant value to retail agents and their clients.
Market Trends Impacting Wholesale Brokers
The commercial insurance market continues to evolve, and wholesale brokers are at the forefront of adapting to new challenges and opportunities.
According to the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB), commercial insurance premiums saw an average increase of 5.1% in Q3 2024, a slight decrease from the 5.2% rise in the previous quarter. Medium-sized accounts experienced the highest premium increase at 5.6%, while smaller accounts saw a 4.4% rise.
Most lines of business reported lower rate increases compared to Q2 2024, except for umbrella coverage, which continued to climb. Premiums for workers’ compensation, cyber, and directors and officers (D&O) liability saw declines, mirroring trends observed in prior quarters.
Key Practices of Top Brokers
The IBA compiled its list based on industry nominations. The brokers are recognized for their ability to design industry-specific programs, manage specialized risks, and improve financial outcomes for their clients. Successful brokers implemented several strategies:
- Developing exclusive insurance programs to address specific industry exposures
- Applying consultative sales techniques to meet complex client needs
- Leveraging strong industry relationships to navigate the wholesale market effectively
Selection Process
This marks the ninth year for IBA’s Top Specialist Wholesale Brokers list. Insurance professionals throughout the country were invited to nominate brokers based on expertise, specialization, and ability to secure competitive coverage for retail agents and their clients. The final list was determined by thoroughly reviewing professional achievements and the brokers’ impact on the industry over the past 12 months..
Top Specialist Wholesale Brokers for 2025
The following individuals are among those recognized as Top Specialist Wholesale Brokers for 2025:
- 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 the complete list and more details, visit IBA’s Top Specialist Wholesale Brokers 2025 special report.
