Agency Ascend

In this Agency Ascend episode, James Spencer of Insurance DFW shares his journey from the captive world to building one of the most respected independent agencies in the Career Agency Alliance. He explains how early frustrations with changing comp plans led him and his brother to take a long-view approach to starting their own agency. By prioritizing coverage over cost and educating clients with clarity, James earned unwavering loy...

In this episode of Agency Ascend, Cameron Moore, founder of ProCo Insurance, shares how he built a thriving independent agency during one of the hardest insurance markets in decades. From abandoning law school to launching ProCo during COVID, Cameron’s story is one of resilience, mentorship, and relentless forward motion.

He discusses the pivot from personal lines to commercial, hiring mistakes, and what it takes to actually le...

In Episode 7 of Agency Ascend, we sit down with Sean Munger, a producer with an owner’s mindset, to unpack what it really means to play the long game.

This episode is all about consistency, execution, and long-term thinking. Sean breaks down how he built trust with clients, developed a disciplined work ethic, and focused on delivering value over time, not just short-term wins.

We also dive into:

• The importance of humility and ment...

Many agency owners assume they own their book of business—but the reality can be far more complicated.

In this episode of Agency Ascend, we dive deep into the ownership dilemma that many agents face. While you may have control over client data, do you really own your carrier contracts? The difference could be the deciding factor in whether you can sell, scale, or exit your agency on your terms.

Industry experts break down the pi...

Growing an insurance agency isn’t just about adding clients—it’s about building a business model that retains top talent, maximizes profitability, and scales efficiently. In this episode of Agency Ascend, industry experts discuss the challenges of thin margins, producer retention, and the financial realities of scaling an agency.

One of the biggest shocks in the independent insurance world? Some producers are making more than the ag...

Access Plus is revolutionizing the insurance industry with a mentorship-driven approach that empowers agents to succeed in both personal and commercial lines. In this episode, the Agency Ascend team—Chad, Chris, Nikki, and Courtney—discuss the critical role Access Plus plays in providing market access, training, and personalized support. They share how the team helps agents meet carrier expectations, improve quote-to-bind ratios, a...

In this episode of Agency Ascend, we sit down with Jeff Brewer, Executive Director of the Independent Insurance Agents  of Dallas (IIAD), and Chris Lacy to explore the dynamic world of independent insurance agencies. Jeff shares the long-standing mission of IIAD to empower agents with resources, education, and advocacy while addressing the unique challenges of transitioning from captive to independent models. From combating insuran...

In this episode of Agency Ascend, Isaac Smith, Chris Sterlacci, Chad Brumit, and Pat Mulady revisit the value Coverage Agency Alliance brings to its members. They discuss leveraging resources like growth coaches and Access Plus, navigating hard markets, and balancing independence with collaboration for growth.

Shares:

Isaac: “The Magic Of Thinking Big” by David J. Schwartz
Pat: Story of Cortez burning the ships
Chr...

Welcome to Agency Ascend, the podcast where we explore the journeys and strategies of agency owners and entrepreneurs who are scaling their businesses to new heights. 

In this episode we are introduced to Chris Sterlacci, CEO of the Coverica Agency Alliance (CAA), and special guest Mike Sterlacci, the Founder of CAA. In this episode they talk about the history, mission, and deliverables of the Alliance, and talk about the Agenc...