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
Sam Heller is a senior vice president at RT Specialty and a recognized leader in hospitality risk solutions.
With more than 12 years of experience in the industry, including a decade dedicated to hospitality, Heller, along with his talented team, has established a strong reputation for clarity, creativity, and unwavering client advocacy. His ability to concisely convey complex insurance concepts fosters trust among retail brokers and carriers alike.
Heller’s deep understanding of hospitality exposures enables him to tailor programs that balance protection and cost efficiency. In 2025, amid widespread rate hikes and coverage reductions, Heller leveraged his carrier relationships to deliver innovative solutions in challenging areas such as assault and battery coverage. Known to his colleagues as a “24/7 broker,” he combines technical expertise with exceptional service, driving financial success for clients and partners.
Committed to remaining ahead of market trends, Heller actively engages with industry publications and maintains constant dialogue with stakeholders. His positive attitude, strategic thinking, and relentless pursuit of creative solutions have positioned him as a Top Specialist Wholesale Broker in the hospitality space.
650 Arch Street, 26th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103
312 784 6001
sam.heller@rtspecialty.com
linkedin.com/in/sam-heller-40019673
rtspecialty.com
Sam Heller
Senior Vice President
RT Specialty – Philadelphia
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Bio
Milestones
“You can’t control the outcome, but you can always control what version of you turns up every day”
Adam Rakowski,
Ortus Financial
2014
2020
2020
2023
2025
Started his career at All Risks as a production associate after completing his internship program in the prior year
2014
RT Specialty acquired All Risks and he joined as a property & casualty broker
2020
Promoted to assistant vice president within less than a year after joining RT Specialty
2021
Promoted to senior vice president
2023
Appointed national construction practice co-leader at Brown & Riding
2025
Milestones
Milestones
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“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.