How do you get news from your local neighborhood? In the digital age, you’re probably connected to your community through social media. Enter Nextdoor (nextdoor.com), a social platform that …
Read MoreGrow your book of business with client acquisition and retention
Client acquisition and client retention are both integral factors to efficiently grow your book of business. If you fail to add a sufficient number of new clients or …
Read MoreOvercoming 3 Common Cold Calling Objections
Prospecting and setting appointments via cold calling are not easy. But learn to overcome the objections and you’ll instantly find more success.
A recent business-to-business client closed a mid-six-figure deal that started …
Read MoreHow Employment Marketing Can Give Your Agency’s Entire Operation a Boost
Think about your interactions with financial services brands. You recall the conversations with people, and the help—or not—they gave you. Whether the products you buy are adequate does …
Read MorePractitioners Share Internal, External Marketing Challenges
Worthy marketers always look to research customers, prospects or competitors before investing in strategies and tactics.
The Insurance Marketing & Communications Association (IMCA) CMO Council used the same …
Read MoreFocusing in on Video
Unless you’re FedEx or Amazon, there’s a pretty good chance the pandemic has or could have impacted your business in a less-than-positive way. Whether you provide services online …
Read MoreHow to Use Email Signatures as a Marketing Tool
Your organization sends out hundreds – if not thousands – of emails every week to clients and prospects. Every one of these emails is a branding and sales …
Read More
Meet the Team
Mike Rice, Principal
Mike received his Bachelor of Arts from DePauw University and his Law Degree from Vanderbilt University. Mike has spent his entire life and almost his entire career in the insurance industry. Mike grew up in the insurance business around an independent agency founded by his grandfather and then run by his father. After graduating from and spending time with the Taft, Stettinius & Hollister law firm, Mike spent 12 years with American Financial Group, Inc., and its insurance affiliates, Great American Insurance Group and Great American Financial Resources. He founded The Insurance Connection in 2005. Mike resides in Cincinnati, OH with his family.
Bill Caesar, CIC, CPCU, Agency Growth Coach | Commercial Lines
Bill grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. He has been in the property & casualty insurance industry his entire career. Bill Lives in Centerville, Ohio with his wife Karen. They enjoy spending time with their three Newfoundland dogs, golfing and playing bridge.
Sara Rogers, Personal Lines | Access Plus Manager
Sara has been a Property & Casualty Agent for over 17 years, specializing in personal lines. She started in the insurance industry as a telemarketer where she obtained her property and casualty license as well as her life and health insurance license. Sara has prior experience closing sales for Fortune 500 companies and as the office manager and lead underwriter for American Heritage Insurance Group’s Springfield office. Sara joined The Insurance Connection in 2014 and is the personal lines point of contact for newly signed ISMs until they receive their direct appointments with carriers. Sara resides in Medway, OH with her husband and has three children.
Aaron Newman, Personal Lines | Access Plus
Aaron has been with The Insurance Connection since June. He has been in the insurance agency for 31 years. Aaron has his AINS &API and obtained them from The Insurance Institutes. Aaron currently resides in Mason and has three dogs.
Shelly West, Commercial Lines | Access Plus
Shelly began working at American Heritage and The Insurance Connection in August of 2021. She has over 10 years of insurance experience. She was born and raised on the West Side of Cincinnati and still lives there with her modern day Brady Bunch family. She is a mentor and PTA Member with the Oak Hills School District. Christmas is her favorite holiday because she loves spending time with the family and goes all out decorating.
Holly Schick, Accountant | Compliance
Holly received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting from Xavier University. Holly’s accounting experience spans over 26 years in general accounting for small to mid-sized businesses and not-for-profit’s. Holly has worked for The Insurance Connection since 2011. She resides in West Chester, OH with her son, Joey.
Abby Blair, Regional Vice President/Recruiter
Abby earned her Bachelors in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management from Morehead State University. She spent 14 years in Lexington, Kentucky specializing in high net worth Life Insurance sales, marketing and plan administration. She worked with trust administrators and investment management teams to provide a holistic experience for their clients. Abby moved back to the Cincinnati area and joined The Insurance Connection in 2022 as their recruiter.
Membership Benefits
Increase your Agency Income & Value
Size and Stability
Higher Commissions
Programs and Specialty Markets
Local Incentives and Profit
Marketing and Advertising
SIAA National Incentive
Training and Education
Access to Competitive Companies
Agency Development
The Agency Foundation to help you establish your new agency
Business Insurance Opportunities
Tools to GROW your agency
Premium Financing Service