Henderson Brothers, a family-owned insurance and financial consulting firm based in Pittsburgh, has announced a series of executive leadership appointments, a leadership transition and an expansion of its shareholder base as part of its long-term succession and independence strategy.
Dan Coast (pictured, left), currently managing director of property and casualty, will assume the role of president. Meanwhile, Thomas Grealish (pictured, right) will continue as chief executive officer and take on the additional role of executive chairman.
Daniel Grealish Sr., the current executive chairman, will transition to chairman emeritus. As chairman emeritus, he will remain involved with the business, maintaining client relationships and continuing his philanthropic activities.
An experienced leadership team
Coast joined Henderson Brothers in 2006 and has nearly 20 years of experience with the firm. He has led the property and casualty practice and has been involved in the firm’s growth and operating performance.
In his expanded role, Thomas Grealish will continue to oversee the firm's strategic direction. His tenure as president and CEO has included oversight of the firm’s strategic development and organizational culture, and he will continue to mentor senior leaders as executive chairman.
In other moves, Pete Horne will also become chief operating officer, in addition to his role as general counsel. Sara Bianco, currently manager of client services, has been appointed managing director of property and casualty. Daniel Grealish will continue as director of finance. He is expected to assume the role of chairman in the future.
Preserving independence
From a market perspective, the leadership shuffle signals Henderson Brothers’ intention to preserve independence at a time when consolidation among US insurance brokerages continues to accelerate.
By promoting long-tenured internal leaders and expanding employee ownership, the firm is positioning itself as an alternative to private equity-backed platforms, which have driven much of the recent M&A activity in the sector. The move may also support client retention and carrier relationships by reinforcing continuity in leadership and strategy as the firm expands geographically, including its recent move into central Ohio.
The firm also announced the expansion of its equity program for employees, following the launch of its internal perpetuation plan in 2024. With new employee shareholders added in 2025, Henderson Brothers now has 33 shareholders. The company said it plans to continue expanding equity participation to support long-term investment while maintaining internal ownership and control.
