Profile
“Being true to who we are is key; we are purely a referral-based business. There is zero marketing or advertising”
Adam Rakowski,
Ortus Financial
Alex Kant, executive vice president of executive lines at Risk Placement Services (RPS), earned his recognition as an IBA Top Specialist Wholesale Broker through persistence and a commitment to first-class client service.
While he had no fixed plan for his career in insurance, Kant evolved into an esteemed professional by leaning into his curiosity to seek out new challenges and opportunities.
After achieving success in a number of lines within the industry, Kant was pulled toward his niche by the need for creativity, credibility, and strategic thinking in executive lines.
As an adept problem-solver within the executive lines segment, he works tirelessly to ensure that each client concern is attended to in a personalized manner.
“Delivering means solving the actual problem, not just placing coverage. It’s about understanding the problem, anticipating challenges, and executing efficiently – especially when conditions are difficult,” he says.
To deliver high-quality solutions to Kant’s client and retail partners, active listening is also integral.
“I spend time listening before proposing solutions. Once objectives are clear, I act decisively and align carriers, coverage structure, and timing to support those goals.”
Kant has spent years developing essential relationships with clients and retail partners, prioritizing rapid and complete responses and consistent follow-ups to maintain trust with those he works alongside.
“Clients and retail partners know that what I say, I will do. Trust, responsiveness, and follow-through are what keep relationships strong long-term,” he explains.
Comprehensive team development has been crucial to sustain the high standards Kant sets for himself. He views consistency as the key goal for his team to achieve long-term success, specifically within the highly complex market conditions that now characterize the executive lines landscape.
“Building a team and platform that consistently delivers complex solutions in a difficult market is my proudest achievement. Individual deals really matter, but creating something scalable and sustainable matters more.”
He adds, “The biggest challenge is balancing growth with quality. As complexity and volume increase, maintaining consistency requires a strong system and the right people in place.”
Mentorship is a core piece of Kant’s team-building efforts, with the IBA Top Specialist Wholesale Broker viewing individual development as an essential responsibility for the future of the insurance industry at large.
“I take pride in mentorship and development within my team. I want to help others grow, delegate responsibility, and prepare the next generation of leaders in the industry.”
2850 Golf Road Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
866 595 8413
RPS.Marcomm@RPSins.com
linkedin.com/in/alex-kant-31931193
RPSins.com
Alex Kant
Area Executive Vice President
Risk Placement Services
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“You can’t control the outcome, but you can always control what version of you turns up every day”
Adam Rakowski,
Ortus Financial
2001
2004
2011
2020
2024
Graduated from the University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC)
2021
Joined RPS as Area Senior Vice President
2004
First achieved rank as a Top 5 new business producer
2011
Promoted to Executive Vice President, Executive Lines
2020
Recognized in IBA Top Specialist Brokers and Hot 100 lists
2024
Milestones
Milestones
ELITE WOMEN 2024 JUDGE
“You can’t control the outcome, but you can always control what version of you turns up every day,” he says.
While at the helm of a rapidly growing business and a family that includes two young children at home, Rakowski has learned to manage what he calls a “never-ending list of commitments” that consists of a new team member each month, a new interstate office and two to three new referral partners monthly.
“Our business is a human business, so investing genuine time in every person can be draining on a personal level. Balancing it all is a challenge,” he says. “Simply put, do what you say you will do, and act at all times with honesty and integrity, being respectful and empathetic. The financial outcomes are a byproduct of the human interactions we have.”
Attracting, retaining and delivering exceptional client outcomes and service starts with a sincere interest in their journey and remaining relevant to them as their lives and needs evolve, notes Rakowski. He points out that he and his team put in most of the work upfront in building meaningful relationships, which is a testament to its 99% client retention rate.
He says, “We are clear in the types of clients we work best with and our value proposition. We also look for a cultural alignment with all of our referral partners, and we are acutely aware of our strengths and how different we are from our industry peers.”
Rakowski recently opened a Queensland business and plans a foot in every other capital city. He strives to establish the brokerage as a national business with on-the-ground representation in every state by the end of 2025.