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Mergers & Acquistions

Hasler Cooper Agency became the first agency purchased by Don Bartos and Midwest Insurance Group in May of 1999. Hasler Cooper has been located in Ashmore, Illinois for more than 50 years. Max Cooper, former owner of the Hasler Cooper Agency, stayed on board with Dimond Bros. until his retirement in December of 2004. The Hasler Cooper Agency specialized in home, auto and crop hail insurance.

Holley Insurance joined Midwest Insurance Group in July of 1999. The Holley Insurance Agency was founded in Paris, Illinois more than 30 years ago. Former owner, Francis Holley, still works for Dimond Bros. and specializes in group health insurance.

Dimond Bros. Agency, then owned by Larry Rollings, joined Midwest Insurance Group January 1, 2000. Dimond Bros. Agency had locations in Paris, Mattoon, Arcola, Danville, and Champaign. Midwest Insurance Group changed its name to Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. in February of 2000. The Dimond Bros. Agency specialized in municipal and school risks.

The Lewis Insurance Store joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. on July 1, 2002. The Lewis Insurance Store was a major player in the personal lines market in Champaign-Urbana. In addition to the personal lines, The Lewis Insurance Store specialized in habitation and restaurant risks.

The Garwood Insurance Agency joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. on September 1, 2003. Former owner, Mike Garwood, owned the agency located in Paris, Illinois for more than 10 years. The Garwood Agency specialized in life and personal lines insurance. Mike now is a regional manager for Dimond Bros. in Southern Illinois.

First Alliance Financial Group, Inc. joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. on January 1, 2004. First Alliance was a leader in the Champaign-Urbana community in group health insurance. Former owners J. Victor Malkovich and Bart Wills still work as producers for Dimond Bros. in their Champaign office and owner Dennis Swanson retired from Dimond Bros. in 2007.

Collings Insurance Agency also joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. on January 1, 2004. The Collings Agency has been located in Rantoul, Illinois for more than 30 years. The Collings Agency specializes in contractors and hard to place commercial risks. Prior owner George Collings retired from Dimond Bros. in 2010.

Interstate Insurance Brokerage, Inc. joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. on May 1, 2004. Interstate Agency specialized in large commercial risks and Ready Mix operations.

The Mackin Agency joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. on October 1, 2004. Rick Mackin, former owner, has owned the agency for more than 10 years. The agency itself has been in the Kankakee community for more than 25 years. The Mackin Agency specializes in municipal and township business as well as large commercial exposures. Rick currently works out of the Kankakee office as a commercial lines producer and Agency Manager.

Elledge Insurance Agency joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. on December 1, 2005. Mike Elledge, former owner, purchased the agency from his parents in 1997. Elledge Insurance Agency has been located in Paris, Illinois for more than 30 years. Elledge Insurance specializes in schools, large commercial and local to medium radius transportation commercial exposures. Mike currently serves as the Paris office's Commercial Lines Manager.

Griffith Insurance joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. on January 1, 2006. John Griffith, former owner, purchased the agency from his father in 1996. Griffith Insurance purchased Jones Insurance of Effingham in 1997, St. Elmo Insurance Services in 1998 and HL Myers Insurance of Altamont in 1999. Griffith Insurance has been located in Effingham since 1982. Griffith Insurance specializes in Municipal, contractors and non for profit exposures. John continues to sell insurance as a commercial lines producer.

William R. Bear Agency Inc. joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. on May 1, 2006. William Bear Agency is located in Freeport, Illinois and was founded in 1962. Bill Bear, former owner, purchased the agency from his father in 1983. Bill retired from Dimond Bros. in 2011.

Maxwell and Hite Insurance Services Inc. and Hite Insurance Services, Inc. joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. on May 1, 2006. The agencies are located in Macon, Illinois and were founded in 1994. Maxwell and Hite and Hite Insurance Services specialize in small to medium commercial risks. Mark Hite, former owner, currently serves as the agency manager in Macon and continues to produce personal and commercial business.

L.C. Shanle & Co., LTD. joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. on November 1, 2006. L.C. Shanle & Co., LTD is located in Rochester, Illinois and was founded in 1994.

Mest, Wiser, Warmbir Insurance joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. on January 1, 2007. Mest, Wiser, Warmbir Insurance has been located in Kankakee, Illinois for more than fifty years. The agency was established in 1953 by Ken Wiser and Elsworth Warmbir. Darryl Mest, continuing part owner, purchased the agency from Ken Wiser and Elsworth Warmbir and changed the agency's name to Mest, Wiser, Warmbir Insurance. The agency serves the insurance needs of 3,000 individuals and families, as well as the unique requirement of 300 business concerns in Illinois and Indiana. Darryl Mest continues with the agency and services his existing customers and produces new commercial business.

Scott Brothers Insurance Agency Inc. joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. on October 1, 2007. Scott Brothers was founded more than 25 years ago by Jud Scott and Eric Scott. Jud Scott and Eric Scott, continuing part owners, purchased the Dolan-Scott Agency in Ohio, Illinois in 1979. In 1995, they purchased the Scott-Williams-Finn Agency located in Princeton, Illinois. The Scott Brothers Agency specializes in municipalities, hospitals, medical malpractice liability, car wash programs, ethanol plant exposures, group benefits and personal lines. Jud continues to work in the agency servicing their existing customers and producing new business.

The Newton Agency Inc. joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. on August 1, 2008. The Newton Agency Inc. opened its doors for business on July 1, 1990. Bill Newton started his agency from scratch and has built it into one of the best personal lines and small commercial agencies in Coles County. The agency currently serves the insurance needs of over 1,000 customers. Bill continues with the agency and services his existing customers and produces new commercial business.

Althoff Unlimited Life and Health Services joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. on January 1, 2009. Althoff Life and Health has been located in Effingham Illinois since 1988. The Althoff Unlimited Life and Health Services will continue to focus on group health and annuities.

Kinsella McNeely Ryan Markwell, Inc (KMRM) joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. on February 1, 2009. KMRM has locations in Taylorville and Carlinville. KMRM was originally founded in 1968 by Dale McNeely. Dale McNeely, Gary McNeely, Brad Whittaker, Karl Buffenmeyer and Dan McNeely will continue to stay on with the company as producers and part owners. KMRM is the largest independent agency in Christian County. KMRM specializes in personal lines, group benefits, hospitals, crop insurance, farm and medium to large commercial exposures.

The Garrett Insurance Agency joined Dimond Bros.

effective July 1, 2009. The Garrett Insurance Agency was founded by Nathan Garrett and is located in Taylorville, Illinois. The Garrett Insurance Agency specialized in smaller commercial and personal lines.

The Heaton Agency joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. on August 1, 2009. The Heaton Agency started from scratch in 1978 by Sharon Heaton. Since then, The Heaton Agency has grown into one of the largest and most respected Farm and Crop Insurance specialists in the state. Sharon Heaton continues to stay on with the company as a producer and part owner.

The Citizens Insurance Services Agency joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency, Inc on September 30, 2009. Citizens Insurance specializes in personal lines, farm and crop insurance, and banking. Renda Kirby, Rita Goodman, and Doug Hasler continue to produce business for Dimond Bros.

The Citizens Insurance Agency joined Dimond Bros. in January 2010. Citizens specializes in personal lines, crop and farm insurance in Carlinville and the surrounding communities.

Hollis, Neff & Bomke Insurance Agency joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. effective July 1, 2010. Hollis, Neff & Bomke was originally founded in 1933 by H.B. Hollis. In 1973, Lynn Sr. joined the firm followed by Larry Bomke in 1983. In addition to selling insurance, Larry Bomke is also known for being our one of our Illinois State Senators. Mr. Hollis retired and sold the business to Lynn and Larry. Hollis, Neff & Bomke Insurance has an emphasis in personal lines and has a very strong presence and reputation in the Springfield community.

Heartland Insurance Agency joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. effective December 1, 2010. Heartland Insurance can trace its roots back to as early as 1880. Heartland Insurance Agency has locations in Danville, Champaign and Bushnell. The Heartland Insurance Agency is the largest independent agency in Vermillion County. Heartland specializes in personal lines, crop insurance, group benefits, medium to large commercial and schools. Gary Ludwig, Heartland's President, continues with the company as producer and part owner.

The Colton, Downey & Associates Agency Inc. joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. on February 1, 2011. Colton, Downey and Associates Agency Inc. has locations in Jacksonville and Roodhouse. The Colton Agency was originally founded in 1927 by J.

Chester Colton, and then was purchased by Ernie Downey in 1982. The Colton, Downey and Associates Agency is the largest agency in Morgan County. Ernie Downey continues to stay on with the company as a producer and part owner. The agency specializes in Trucking, Contractors, Personal Lines, Life and large to medium commercial exposures.

Tower Insurance Agency joined Dimond Bros Insurance Agency Inc. effective September 1, 2011. Tower Insurance Agency was founded by Kevin Mansfield in 2006. Tower Insurance has a strong reputation in the Kankakee area for providing its customers with the right product at an affordable price. Kevin continues to stay on with the company as a producer and part owner.

FirstMed Insurance Group LLC joined Dimond Bros. Insurance on April 1, 2012. FirstMed provides a professional risk management approach to its clients in and around Springfield, Illinois. Roger Muncy continues to stay on with the company as a Benefits Manager, producer and part owner. FirstMed Insurance Group LLC specializes in small, medium and large group benefits.

The Insurance Partnership Agency joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. effective June 1, 2012. The Insurance Partnership has offices in Centralia, Mt. Vernon and Edwardsville and is one of the largest independent agencies located in Southern Illinois. The Insurance Partnership Agency specializes in Municipalities, Contractors, Non Profit, Group Benefits, Personal Auto and Home and Commercial Lines. Tom Simpson continues to stay on with the company as Agency Manager, producer and part owner.

Ferguson Financial Group Inc. joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. effective July 1, 2012. Ferguson Financial Group has offices located in Pecatonica, Freeport and Forreston and is one of the largest independent agency located in Northwest Illinois. Gary Hospelhorn and Ted Odendahl continue to stay with the company as producers, Agency Managers and part owners. Ferguson Financial specializes in Schools, Municipalities, Contractors, Non Profit, Group Benefits, Personal Auto and Home and Commercial Lines.

Earl A. Datweiler Insurance Agency Inc. joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc.

effective October 1, 2012. Datweiler Insurance is located in Herscher, Illinois. Datweiler Insurance specializes in farm, crop hail, crop multi peril, life, long term care products, individual and group benefits, Personal Auto and Home and Commercial Lines. Earl Datweiler continues to stay on with the company as Agency Manager, producer and part owner.

Bodden Insurance joined Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency Inc. effective October 1, 2012. Bodden Insurance office is located in Assumption, Illinois. Bodden Insurance specializes in small to medium commercial risks, farm, crop, and personal.

The Keck Agency joined the Dimond Bros family in December of 2012. The agency began in 1893 when Charles Keck started selling insurance out of his barber shop. His sons soon joined the agency, and the business continued to grow with the community. Jay Walter joined the agency in 1982 and purchased it in January of 2000. The agency is a highly respected business in Fairbury, Illinois, and writes insurance for various types of businesses, both large and small, and also services many personal insurance policies. They also help many area farmers with their crop insurance needs. Jay continues with the agency, along with his staff, to service his customers and to assist new clients.

CBW Insurance was founded in Cherry, IL in 1904. In 1984 the current owners, Jim and Chris Coughlin, began to grow by acquiring other agencies. With offices now located in Cherry, Ottawa, Kinsman, Amboy and Ladd, IL, the CBW family of agencies joined Dimond Bros in June 2013. The agencies have decades of experience in farm, MPCI, and crop hail insurance.

For more information please contact Don Bartos.