Mahlon Buck, Principal, is a former owner of a large insurance agency in California. By implementing the same processes and practices we advocate at Buck Agency Consulting he increased his agency’s revenue by 300% over 9 years. Mahlon was also a co-founder of HealthConnect, a technology company focusing on the health insurance industry. Both of these companies sold in excess of 8 times EBITDA, for a total purchase price of $35,000,000. The agency revenue increased from $2,200,000 in 1995 to $7,400,000 in 2004 and at the same time revenue per employee grew from $78,000 to $183,000. This was achieved by focusing on three objectives:
(1) differentiation through extensive use of alternative insurance products;
(2) automation through smart and practical use of technology; and
(3) maximization of employee productivity (by producers and administrative staff).
Karen Buck, Principal, was the CFO and In-House Counsel for HealthConnect Systems, a leader of internet technology for the health insurance industry. As the Business Manager and in-house counsel for HealthConnect, Karen was responsible for all financial, regulatory and legal operations. Prior to joining HealthConnect, Karen served as a judicial law clerk for a federal court judge. Karen has also been a boiler and machinery insurance underwriter and a shareholder in a large independent insurance agency. Karen graduated with BA and JD degrees from California State University, Fresno and S.J. College of Law, respectively. While in law school, Karen was a member of the S.J. Agricultural Law Review.
Harrison D. Jerome, Technology Principal, is the former Chief Operating Officer of the State Compensation Insurance Fund of California. As COO, Harrison was responsible for the oversight of all operational aspects of the organization to ensure the State Fund had the proper operational, administrative, and reporting controls to ensure financial strength and operational efficiency. Prior to being appointed COO, Harrison served as the Vice President over Information Technology, Business Services, Insurance Services, Credit & Collections, Real Estate Management, Records Management and Contracts & Purchasing. In 2001, Harrison was appointed Program Manager of State Fund’s newly established Claims Processing Center. In this assignment he was tasked with developing and implementing a State wide technology strategy to more efficiently and effectively support paperless electronic storage and processing of claims files. Harrison holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from California State University, Fresno. He retired from the State Fund in December of 2010 after a 29 year career in the insurance industry.
Peter Everett, Mergers & Acquisitions Principal, has provided merger and acquisition advisory services for 13 years including as a Principal with JP Morgan, a Senior Vice President at Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette and Vice President, Associate and Analyst at Smith Barney. Peter has advised on over 100 completed merger and acquisition transactions with a total value of over $50 billion, including many prominent and complex deals. Peter's primary focus was on the financial services and financial technology industries. Following his career on Wall Street, Peter was CEO of HealthConnect Systems. During his tenure as CEO, Peter structured three successful merger and acquisition deals, including two acquisitions and the successful sale of the Company to Ebix, providing in excess of 10x returns to shareholders.
Unlike most insurance consultants who have never owned or operated a successful insurance agency, the Principals at Buck Agency Consulting have. They have the experience, and more importantly, a proven track record in growing a business. They have dealt with the same issues you live with every day and will help you go to the next level.