Afore Insurance Services has expanded its US footprint with the acquisition of Myron K. Hobbs & Company, a group employee benefits agency serving the Louisville, Ky., region.
The deal marks Afore’s entry into Kentucky and establishes a new Louisville‑area office, adding to a broader pattern of consolidation in the US brokerage market as regional specialists are rolled into larger, multi‑line platforms with broader carrier access and shared resources.
Building employer benefits presence
Through the transaction, Afore gains a Louisville office anchored by the Myron K. Hobbs & Company team, which brings established employer relationships and group benefits expertise.
“Myron Hobbs and his team bring considerable group employee benefits capabilities and deep client relationships that align with Afore's mission,” said Michael A. Garguilo, president and CEO of Afore Insurance Services. “This acquisition not only expands our footprint into a new state, but also gives us a strong Louisville presence that will support continued growth across the region.”
The combination is expected to broaden the conversation from stand‑alone benefits to a wider “total risk and reward” approach, spanning medical and ancillary benefits alongside commercial property, liability and management risks. Housing employee benefits and P&C on the same platform is intended to give producers more scope to cross‑sell, coordinate programs and design integrated solutions, rather than treating benefits and commercial coverages separately.
Integration alongside Neace Ventures
As part of the integration, the Myron K. Hobbs & Company team is expected to move into shared office space and operate alongside Neace Ventures, the investment firm of Afore vice chairman and investor John Neace, an industry veteran with a long track record in agency building and backing.
“We're proud to have the Hobbs team joining the broader Afore family in Louisville,” Garguilo said. “The opportunity to collaborate in close proximity with John Neace and Neace Ventures creates an exciting environment for innovation, growth, and client service.”
For producers, joining Afore brings access to a larger carrier panel, specialist resources and shared services, while maintaining local decision‑making in Louisville. The co‑location with Neace Ventures is being positioned as a draw for producers who want institutional backing and growth capital while continuing to build their own regional books.
Hobbs said he views the partnership as a way to scale without losing local ties.
“I have tremendous confidence in Afore, its business model, and the leadership of Mike Garguilo and John Neace,” he said. “This partnership will accelerate our growth while preserving the strong local relationships we've built… By combining employee benefits and P&C capabilities, we can serve clients more holistically and help them protect their businesses in new ways over time.”
Ongoing regional build‑out in Virginia
The Hobbs deal follows a series of acquisitions as Afore builds out a regional platform.
The firm has acquired Resolve Insurance Group, an independent agency based in Virginia Beach, Va. As part of that transaction, Christopher Burns will join Afore as senior vice president and national marine practice leader.
Afore has also acquired Salzberg Insurance Agency in Norfolk, Va. Salzberg principal Ralph Soussan said the partnership would allow the agency to expand across Virginia while maintaining its local identity. Garguilo and regional president Brett Balsley have described the Virginia transactions as part of a broader regional growth plan, with further acquisitions expected.
