Schield-Leavitt Becomes Leavitt Group Four Corners Insurance Agency

Ryan Woolverton

Todd Toner

Schield-Leavitt Insurance Agency has undergone a name change. The agency will now do business as Leavitt Group Four Corners Insurance Agency, reflecting the service provided across the region from Cortez to Pagosa Springs and Farmington to Montrose.

Managing executives Ryan Woolverton and Todd Toner, veterans of the insurance industry, will continue to lead the agency with their capable staff of 15 people in two offices located in Durango and Farmington.

“It is our job to make insurance simple,” said Woolverton. “The insurance world may seem complex, so let us concentrate on providing you and your business with the right coverage at extremely competitive rates.”

Leavitt Group Four Corners Insurance Agency provides all types of insurance products and services to area residents and businesses, including personal insurance, commercial insurance, contractor bonding, and employee benefits.

“We will maintain our high commitment of service to all our clients,” said Toner. “Whether you are an individual taking care of your family or a business owner concerned about your employees, we are here to help you understand all your insurance options.”

New Agency Formed: Redwoods Leavitt Insurance Agency

The Leavitt Group is pleased to announce that the Crescent City, California, and Grants Pass, Oregon, locations of NorthWest Insurance Agency have joined the Leavitt Group to form Redwoods Leavitt Insurance Agency effective September 1, 2010. Bill Cochran is the managing local co-owner of the new agency.

"I am very excited to be affiliating with the Leavitt Group. After a solid relationship with Northwest Insurance for 15 years, this adds a new dimension of local ownership,” said Cochran. The Leavitt Group’s model of co-ownership gives the local manager a stake in their client’s success while enjoying the resources of a national brokerage.

Cochran has been in the insurance industry for 32 years. Most recently, he was a commercial broker and shareholder with NorthWest Insurance Agency. Prior to NorthWest, Cochran was with a regional brokerage firm where he was responsible for sales management, marketing, acquisition coordination, computerization, and operations. He earned a degree from Humboldt State University in communications and journalism.

The Grants Pass location has been serving clients since the 1940s. Burnie Gillespie House of Insurance and staff joined NorthWest Insurance in November of 2008. Cochran opened the Crescent City branch for NorthWest Insurance in 1994. Redwoods Leavitt Insurance Agency has the experience and resources to meet the needs of all types of clients, including individuals and businesses.

Leavitt Group Welcomes Howard Massey

The Leavitt Group is pleased to announce that Howard Massey has joined Valley Insurance Services as the executive vice president of the restaurant division. Massey specializes in building and managing large restaurant programs and restaurant specific safety programs.

“I made the decision to join the Leavitt Group because of the tremendous opportunity to develop and grow a true national restaurant program,” said Massey. “I am continually impressed with the tools, staff, and support capabilities available to make this a national success.”

By developing a concept called Strategic Safety Planning, Massey has customized safety plans for large clients based on their strengths and weaknesses. He also offers user-friendly safety calendars and lesson plans for restaurant managers. Massey developed an interactive safety workshop for restaurant managers called Behavior-Based Safety Coaching. “This program teaches managers how to identify and change unsafe behaviors,” said Massey. “By using these tools, my clients have seen a significant drop in safety incidents resulting in lower workers compensation costs.”

Massey has 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry. He has held a number of management positions for various restaurant concepts, including general manager, district manager, regional manager (76 locations), divisional vice president (454 restaurants), senior vice president of operations (1,100 restaurants), and president of El Pollo Loco (170 restaurants). Massey was also a 16-unit franchisee of EI Pollo Loco for over six years.

Massey has spent over 13 years in the insurance and safety industry and was responsible for building and servicing a group of 2,150 restaurants. He wrote the workers compensation, property/liability, EPLI, and health insurance for this group. This group had 16 different franchisee associations and a number of corporate accounts, including Claim Jumper, Elephant Bar, Sizzler USA, Hometown Buffet, and Bakers Square.

Leavitt Group of Atlanta Welcomes Alan Pope

Leavitt Group of Atlanta is pleased to announce the hiring of Alan Pope as a licensed insurance agent. Pope will focus on commercial insurance.

Alan joins the agency with 18 years combined experience in the restaurant and insurance industries. He has a strong background in commercial insurance with manufacturing, distributing, and franchises including artisan contractors, restaurants, bars, taverns, food delivery, and nightclubs. Alan has been an International Franchise Association supplier forum member and a preferred insurance vendor for national franchises.

Leavitt Group of Atlanta has been in business since 1987 and affiliated with the Leavitt Group since 2003.

RV Park and Campground Program Now Available Through Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality

Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance (LRHI) announces that their RV park and campground program is now available on a general agency basis. Chris Hipple, vice president of the agency, heads the previously exclusive program.

“Our program has been growing successfully, and we feel it is ready to offer to outside agents,” said Hipple. “It provides a partnership with agents who have relationships with RV parks and campgrounds but have been unable to find the coverage to fit their needs.”

LRHI offers a program through Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company and Penn America, both rated “A” with industry ratings expert A.M. Best. The program overcomes many of the traditional barriers to writing these risks. “Even those with unusual activities or coastal exposure can be considered,” said Hipple.

LRHI has over 25 years of experience insuring RV parks and campgrounds and is one of the largest servicing agencies in the nation. With this focus, the agency has achieved an elite status with the insurance companies they represent. LRHI maintains open communication with their carriers to modify coverage and to respond to the changing insurance needs of their clients.