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. But our team of 400 maintains the same service-centered culture we started with in 1971.

Tim Ash Jim Ash Jason Grover Ash Brokerage on stage
Our founder

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.

Jim Ash Founder Ash Brokerage
The story begins

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

Early
1971
Moving in the market

As opportunities present, Ash moves to an office on Columbia Avenue, with payroll deduction life insurance as the first life insurance product offered

Mid
1970s
Tim Ash joins his father

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

Mid
1980s
Tim Ash becomes CEO

Ash Brokerage officially becomes a multi-generation business, as Tim takes the lead in supporting and growing his father’s vision

Mid
1997
Office moves to Bluffton Road

Moving from Main Street in downtown Fort Wayne to a fresh space – conveniently close to the airport – Ash employs more than 50 people

Spring
1998
Acquisition of Hamilton Marketing Group

Building on the approach to working with highly productive independent advisors, these key relationships lead to the start of our Summit meetings

Apr
2002
100-Employee Milestone

The latest case manager to join the team officially pushes the number of employees into triple digits

June
2002
Office moves to Jefferson Blvd

With 200 employees and continued fast growth, larger office space is purchased complete with a training room for hosting events

May
2006
Acquisition of Bufkin, Hefferon & Siegel

Establishing an office in New York City, Ash continues to grow through a national footprint of regional sales offices

Apr
2007
Acquisition of Delta Financial Associates

Extending our commitment to long-term care and linked benefit solutions, the new partnership pushes Ash Brokerage to more than 300 team members

Jan
2009
Palladium Group created

A white-glove service provides RIAs with a client-driven, outcome-oriented approach for including insurance into their clients’ financial plans

Late
2012
Return to downtown

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

May
2016
First Palladium

Ash’s in-house broker-dealer is established for facilitating the sale of variable life insurance and annuities

July
2017
JourneyGuide enters the market

After years of research and design, JourneyGuide is launched as a standalone brand offering retirement income planning software

Aug
2017
Partnership with Century

With a goal of complementing organic growth, a short-term partnership with Century Equity Partners begins

Sept
2017
Acquisition of Zenith Marketing Group

55 employees from Freehold, New Jersey and Charlotte, North Carolina join the Ash Brokerage team, pushing the total to more than 400 professionals nationwide

Mar
2018
Acquisition of Target Insurance Services

Overland Park, Kansas becomes the latest Ash office location, with 30 additional employees aligning under the Ash brand

Nov
2018
Jason Grover becomes President

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

Dec
2018
Acquisition of Bell & Associates Consulting

Bell’s 15 employees form a partnership to amplify growth and reach while remaining under their own operational brand

Sept
2019
Aimcor selected as distribution partner

A strategic relationship is created with Aimcor Group, a national insurance marketing organization (IMO), to drive innovation in the brokerage process

Sept
2019
Exit from Century

After several selective acquisitions, Ash repurchases Century Equity Partners’ interest, returning to a fully independent, closely held company

Jan
2020
Techficient created

Ash’s custom-built technology platform is spun out into a standalone company to transform the way the insurance industry does business

Feb
2020