Find an agent

Why choose a Trusted Choice independent agent?

Consumer Information – find information about types of insurance and learn the coverages needed

Texas Department of Insurance

Glossary

PRESS ROOM

STARTING
AN AGENCY

GOVERNMENT

Adam Boyd

Adam Boyd is an associate with Market Sense Revenue Development Experts and a licensee of Sandler Training. Boyd brings a common sense approach to business development and sales. He works to develop sales capabilities by implementing the right processes, using the right tools, and addressing hidden weaknesses. Boyd works across a variety of industries including landscaping, construction, insurance and financial services including software and web development and e-commerce companies to name a few. He regularly speaks to businesses and organizations around the central Texas area.

Tom Braniff, JD, CPCU

In 1971, after receiving his Juris Doctorate degree, Braniff entered the independent insurance agency business in Houston, where he worked for more than 20 years. He was executive vice-president and general counsel of Braniff & Braniff, Inc., a large regional insurance agency, which provided property, casualty, life and employee benefits coverages, and risk management services. In 1989, Braniff founded Texas Insurance Consulting, which provides litigation support and expert witness services. The firm assists clients with acquisitions, sales, and mergers of insurance entities; as well as regulatory and technical issues. The firm also provides valuations of insurance agencies and insurance companies. Braniff subsequently formed Braniff Attorneys/Counselors, a law firm providing legal advice and consultation to individuals and businesses.

Braniff has authored articles on both insurance and legal issues. He has testified on numerous occasions, on issues that include the valuation of insurance agencies, the duties and responsibilities of insurance agents, policy analysis and other matters that involve the insurance industry.

Rusty Deaton, CIC

Deaton's work experience includes 27 years as owner and principal of Deaton Insurance Agency, a multi-line property and casualty agency, which he founded in 1985. Rusty's focus in the agency is on public entity insurance. Rusty was a partner in Edmond, Deaton, and Stephens Insurance Agency from 1991 to 2002, a leading commercial insurance provider in the Texas Panhandle. In addition to his insurance pursuits, Rusty has been a director of First National Bank of Paducah since 1987, and president of First Paducah Bancshares of Texas since 1997. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1984 and received his CIC designation in 1998. Deaton is a national faculty member for the Society of CIC, and is the personal lines mentor for CISR OnLine.

Patrick Deem, CIC

Patrick Deem began his insurance industry career in 1969 with the USF&G Insurance Company in their Louisville, Ky. branch office. With more than 37 years in the insurance business, Deem has been an underwriting manager, sales manager, excess and surplus lines underwriter and an independent insurance agent. He has published several articles and conducted numerous seminars on the technical subjects of property and casualty insurance for both insurance and trade associations on a state and national basis. In addition, Deem has been engaged as an insurance consultant and testified as an expert witness in various fields associated with the insurance industry. Currently, Deem is a Licensed Risk Manager in Texas where he founded Risk Management and Insurance Education Services in Austin, an independent company, which serves insurance companies, agents and insureds.

Robert K. Nitsche

Robert Nitsche has been involved with insurance his entire life. A second-generation insurance agent, Nitsche grew up in a house where clients called upon his father for advice at all hours of the day and night. His unique experiences, strong family values and solid work ethic have helped Nitsche as COO and CFO grow the family business into one of the largest independent insurance agencies in Texas. Now CEO, Nitsche continues to lead Insurance Network of Texas, helping the agency grow in size and service. But perhaps more importantly, Nitsche is helping maintain the same family values and hometown hospitality that Insurance Network of Texas clients have come to appreciate over the past 61 years.

Nitsche has a BBA from the Baylor Hankamer School of Business, an MBA from SMU and in 2010, Nitsche graduated from the distinguished Owner/President Management Program from Harvard University.

Bob Pryor

Pryor is the owner of Pryor Consulting Group. PCG's mission is to provide insurance agency solutions through integrity, confidentiality, vision and agency expertise. Pryor graduated from Florida Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance/Business Administration. In over 40 years of insurance experience he has developed insurance expertise that covers the entire insurance distribution system. He has owned two different agencies in two states, worked for an insurance company, worked in management for two national brokers and has been performing agency consulting for the past eight years. He has been involved in over 100 agency transactions either as buyer, seller or consultant.
Pryor is a member of IIAT, the Council of Insurance Agents, the American Association Insurance Management Consultants, and IIA-Houston (past director, officer, legislative and executive committee).

Jon Schallert

Jon Schallert is an internationally-recognized speaker, marketing consultant and business coach specializing in teaching businesses and communities how to turn themselves into "consumer destinations." Schallert speaks to thousands annually on his proprietary 14-step "Destination Business" process, which he developed over the course of 25 years of working with independent business owners.

Schallert's insights are frequently seen in national publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and Entrepreneur Magazine. He is the only consultant in the world to receive the "Top Motivator" Marketing Award from Potentials Magazine. He is a member of the National Speakers Association, the International Downtown Association, and the National Main Street Network.