Herman Ross, CFO and chairman of the board of the National Insurance Consultants Inc. (NICI), recently inked a deal to acquire Virginia-based Vantage Risk Management LLC (VRM). The merged companies will retain the name National Insurance Consultants Inc. and the company headquarters in Las Vegas. Principal and founder of VRM, Katrina L. Simkins, is now senior vice president of the newly merged company.
Combined, NICI and VRM provide a vast array of insurance, risk management and financial services, as well as bonding and surety programs to their diverse client portfolio. VRM brings the added value of retirement and pension planning services to the organization.
“The reason this merger will work is that the shared vision, purpose and mission of both NICI and VRM were aligned; our synergy and energy match each other,” said Ross. “After our first meeting it was apparent that we had the same focus, which helps us magnify the talents and strengths of each other.”
The company is dedicated to its client providing professional services that counsel the customer rather than simply selling an insurance product. With the addition of Simkins to the team, the company was able to add full risk management and consulting services, expanding the services available to customers.
NICI's niche focus on the transportation, veteran and construction markets also gives them a strong foundation and knowledge base to work with a customer on a personal and informed level. Their service-based philosophy states, "We are committed to delivering services tailored to clients' needs rather than selling established services without regard to need."
"We aim to lead the industry in addressing the role of diversity to strengthen the corporate bottom line, achieve the desires of customers and employees and attain public sector mandates,” said Simkins.
NICI is also active in the industry's Transportation Diversity Council through APTA. With the goal of educating students on the vast opportunities within the transportation industry, the council is working to establish schools and education programs to get students informed and interested in a transportation occupation. "You don't have to limit yourself in transit," concluded Ross.
Visit NICI at booth 1167.
