Headquarters:
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Year founded:
2001
Number of employees:
350
Phone:
1 866 788 3500
Email:
sales@payworks.ca
Website:
payworks.ca
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/450070
“What makes RPS stand out from the competition is our creativity in coverage solutions and the expertise of our brokers and underwriters”
Tish Fournet
“[During a difficult year], we still delivered new products and exclusive programs that made it easier for independent agents and brokers to come through for their clients”
Emily Hathcoat
Risk Placement Services (RPS) celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2022. Founded as a scratch operation with only four employees, RPS had just two primary carrier agreements and turned in less than $100,000 in profits in its first 12 months. Fast forward to today, and RPS has grown to be one of the largest specialty insurance distributors in the US, with employees in more than 80 offices around the country and over 400 carrier agreements. Their divisions include wholesale brokerage, binding authority, program administration, and standard lines, plus specialized auto through its Pronto Insurance brand. The firm’s focus on digital technologies has led to an online platform that makes it possible for independent agents and brokers to quote-bind-issue nearly two dozen products in a matter of minutes.
Fueled by a culture of creativity, innovation and teamwork, RPS continues to add top-tier talent to its roster of insurance specialists and growth through new merger partners, all with one central focus: providing insurance expertise and speed of service to its clients.
Read on
IB Top Brokerages
Award Winner
SHIELDED INSURANCE BROKERS
Award Winner
RISK PLACEMENT SERVICES
Joel Cavaness
President
Tish Fournet
Head of Client Relations
Russell Duffey
Head of Market Relations
Leadership
After cofounding Risk Placement Services in 1997 as a scratch operation with only four employees, Joel Cavaness has been instrumental in driving its rapid growth to become one of the largest US wholesale brokers, MGAs, and program managers. A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a BS in business administration, Joel additionally holds Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter and Associate in Risk Management designations.
President
Joel Cavaness
Tish Fournet oversees a national team of client relations managers who are responsible for providing services and support to RPS’s largest national clients. With over 30 years in the industry, Tish has experience as an RPS broker, helping her understand all aspects of the wholesale brokerage business. Tish holds Associate in Risk Management and Certified Insurance Counselor certifications.
Head of Client Relations
Tish Fournet
Since 2017, Russell Duffey has served as vice president of market relations, where he is the primary liaison to all market partners domestically and internationally. In this role, he works with carriers to strategically grow relationships and ensure that RPS has access to top markets. Russell has a bachelor’s degree in business administration, risk management and insurance from Georgia State University. He also holds the Certified Insurance Counselor designation from the National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research.
Head of Market Relations
Russell Duffey
SPECIAL REPORT
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Bio
“What makes RPS stand out from the competition is our creativity in coverage solutions and the expertise of our brokers and underwriters”
Tish Fournet
[During a difficult year], we still delivered new products and exclusive programs that made it easier for independent agents and brokers to come through for their clients”
Emily Hathcoat
Read on
Award Winner
RISK PLACEMENT SERVICES
Emily Hathcoat
Head of Marketing
Tish Fournet
Head of Client Relations
Joel Cavaness
President
Leadership
Headquarters:
Rolling Meadows, IL, USA
Year founded:
1997
Number of employees:
2,500
Phone:
866 595 8413
Email:
contactRPS@rpsins.com
Website:
rpsins.com
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/risk-placement-services-inc
After cofounding Risk Placement Services in 1997 as a scratch operation with only four employees, Joel Cavaness has been instrumental in driving its rapid growth to become one of the largest US wholesale brokers, MGAs, and program managers. A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a BS in business administration, Joel additionally holds Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter and Associate in Risk Management designations.
President
Joel Cavaness
Tish Fournet oversees a national team of client relations managers who are responsible for providing services and support to RPS’s largest national clients. With over 30 years in the industry, Tish has experience as an RPS broker, helping her understand all aspects of the wholesale brokerage business. Tish holds Associate in Risk Management and Certified Insurance Counselor certifications.
Head of Client Relations
Tish Fournet
Emily Hathcoat serves as vice president for marketing at Risk Placement Services, where she is responsible for advancing business priorities through strategic and creative marketing programs that position the brand in the marketplace, drive client engagement, and generate demand for RPS products and services. She holds a BA in history from Creighton University and an MBA from Saint Louis University.
Head of Marketing
Emily Hathcoat
SPECIAL REPORT
Home
Bio
For the second year running, Shielded Insurance Brokers has claimed the number-one spot among IB’s Top Brokerages. In 2020, it was record-setting growth that drove the company’s impressive success. This year, says managing director Stuart Brady, the key ingredient behind the win is the Shielded culture. Brady is proud of the shared vision for constant improvement across all aspects of the business. “We are thrilled to take out the win again, and it’s hats off to the team for their hard work over the past year,” he says.
“[During a difficult year], we still delivered new products and exclusive programs that made it easier for independent agents and brokers to come through for their clients
Emily Hathcoat
“What makes RPS stand out from the competition is our creativity in coverage solutions and the expertise of our brokers and underwriters”
Tish Fournet
Read on
Award Winner
RISK PLACEMENT SERVICES
Delayne Sartison, QC
Founding and Managing Partner
Tish Fournet
Head of Client Relations
Joel Cavaness
President
Leadership
Headquarters:
Rolling Meadows, IL, USA
Year founded:
1997
Number of employees:
2,500
Phone:
866 595 8413
Email:
contactRPS@rpsins.com
Website:
rpsins.com
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/
risk-placement-services-inc
SPECIAL REPORT
Home
Bio
After cofounding Risk Placement Services in 1997 as a scratch operation with only four employees, Joel Cavaness has been instrumental in driving its rapid growth to become one of the largest US wholesale brokers, MGAs, and program managers. A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a BS in business administration, Joel additionally holds Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter and Associate in Risk Management designations.
President
Joel Cavaness
Tish Fournet oversees a national team of client relations managers who are responsible for providing services and support to RPS’s largest national clients. With over 30 years in the industry, Tish has experience as an RPS broker, helping her understand all aspects of the wholesale brokerage business. Tish holds Associate in Risk Management and Certified Insurance Counselor certifications.
Head of Client Relations
Tish Fournet
Emily Hathcoat serves as vice president for marketing at Risk Placement Services, where she is responsible for advancing business priorities through strategic and creative marketing programs that position the brand in the marketplace, drive client engagement, and generate demand for RPS products and services. She holds a BA in history from Creighton University and an MBA from Saint Louis University.
Head of Marketing
Emily Hathcoat
For the second year running, Shielded Insurance Brokers has claimed the number-one spot among IB’s Top Brokerages. In 2020, it was record-setting growth that drove the company’s impressive success. This year, says managing director Stuart Brady, the key ingredient behind the win is the Shielded culture. Brady is proud of the shared vision for constant improvement across all aspects of the business. “We are thrilled to take out the win again, and it’s hats off to the team for their hard work over the past year,” he says.
Emily Hathcoat
Head of Marketing
Emily Hathcoat serves as vice president for marketing at Risk Placement Services, where she is responsible for advancing business priorities through strategic and creative marketing programs that position the brand in the marketplace, drive client engagement, and generate demand for RPS products and services. She holds a BA in history from Creighton University and an MBA from Saint Louis University.
Head of Marketing
Emily Hathcoat
Russell Duffey
Head of Market Relations
Since 2017, Russell Duffey has served as vice president of market relations, where he is the primary liaison to all market partners domestically and internationally. In this role, he works with carriers to strategically grow relationships and ensure that RPS has access to top markets. Russell has a bachelor’s degree in business administration, risk management and insurance from Georgia State University. He also holds the Certified Insurance Counselor designation from the National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research.
Head of Market Relations
Russell Duffey
Russell Duffey
Head of Market Relations
Since 2017, Russell Duffey has served as vice president of market relations, where he is the primary liaison to all market partners domestically and internationally. In this role, he works with carriers to strategically grow relationships and ensure that RPS has access to top markets. Russell has a bachelor’s degree in business administration, risk management and insurance from Georgia State University. He also holds the Certified Insurance Counselor designation from the National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research.
Head of Market Relations
Russell Duffey
Delayne Sartison, QC
Founding and Managing Partner
Delayne is a managing and founding partner at Roper Greyell. A trusted advisor, negotiator and advocate, she advises employers on all aspects of management-side labour, employment and human rights issues in the workplace. Delayne is a creative and focused lawyer who efficiently and effectively applies her vast experience to address a wide variety of workplace law challenges facing both public and private organizations. She is particularly known for her experience in health sector labour relations, and advising on the application of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to collective agreements and collective bargaining.
Founding and Managing Partner
Delayne Sartison, QC
Delayne Sartison, QC
Founding and Managing Partner
Delayne is a managing and founding partner at Roper Greyell. A trusted advisor, negotiator and advocate, she advises employers on all aspects of management-side labour, employment and human rights issues in the workplace. Delayne is a creative and focused lawyer who efficiently and effectively applies her vast experience to address a wide variety of workplace law challenges facing both public and private organizations. She is particularly known for her experience in health sector labour relations, and advising on the application of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to collective agreements and collective bargaining.
Founding and Managing Partner
Delayne Sartison, QC
Emily Hathcoat
Head of Marketing
Delayne is a managing and founding partner at Roper Greyell. A trusted advisor, negotiator and advocate, she advises employers on all aspects of management-side labour, employment and human rights issues in the workplace. Delayne is a creative and focused lawyer who efficiently and effectively applies her vast experience to address a wide variety of workplace law challenges facing both public and private organizations. She is particularly known for her experience in health sector labour relations, and advising on the application of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to collective agreements and collective bargaining.
Founding and Managing Partner
Delayne Sartison, QC
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/risk-placement-services-inc
Website:
rpsins.com
Email:
contactRPS@rpsins.com
Phone:
866 595 8413
Number of employees:
2,500
Year founded:
1997
Headquarters:
Rolling Meadows, IL, USA
“Our clients tell us that what makes RPS stand out from the competition is our creativity in coverage solutions and the expertise of our brokers and underwriters,” says Tish Fournet, president for client relations.
“Because RPS is made up of several divisions, each offering capabilities for hard-to-place risks through different avenues and markets, our people have options when it comes to risk placement. Our people bring enthusiasm and expertise to every challenge. We take a ‘say no to no’ approach to submissions, and we work together to come through with a solution,” she says.
Last year was a hectic time for the insurance marketplace, and RPS was right in the middle of the action. “It was one of the busiest years in the excess-and-surplus markets in recent history – markets shifted appetites, policyholders and their agents were left searching for coverage, terms and conditions adjusted, and rates across most classes of business were still on the rise,” says Emily Hathcoat, vice president for marketing.
“It was a difficult year for our retail agent and broker partners to ensure they had the most cost-effective protection for their clients. Our specialist broker and underwriting teams across our brokerage, binding and programs divisions worked tirelessly to ensure risks were placed in the right markets, squared away and under control, so our clients could move ahead with confidence. Through it all, we still delivered new products and exclusive programs that made it easier for independent agents and brokers to come through for their clients.”
“Our clients tell us that what makes RPS stand out from the competition is our creativity in coverage solutions and the expertise of our brokers and underwriters,” says Tish Fournet, president for client relations.
“Because RPS is made up of several divisions, each offering capabilities for hard-to-place risks through different avenues and markets, our people have options when it comes to risk placement. Our people bring enthusiasm and expertise to every challenge. We take a ‘say no to no’ approach to submissions, and we work together to come through with a solution,” she says.
Last year was a hectic time for the insurance marketplace, and RPS was right in the middle of the action. “It was one of the busiest years in the excess-and-surplus markets in recent history – markets shifted appetites, policyholders and their agents were left searching for coverage, terms and conditions adjusted, and rates across most classes of business were still
on the rise,” says Emily Hathcoat, vice president
for marketing.
“It was a difficult year for our retail agent and broker partners to ensure they had the most cost-effective protection for their clients. Our specialist broker and underwriting teams across our brokerage, binding and programs divisions worked tirelessly to ensure risks were placed in the right markets, squared away and under control, so our clients could move ahead with confidence. Through it all, we still delivered new products and exclusive programs that made it easier for independent agents and brokers to come through for their clients.”
“Our clients tell us that what makes RPS stand out from the competition is our creativity in coverage solutions and the expertise of our brokers and underwriters,” says Tish Fournet, president for client relations.
“Because RPS is made up of several divisions, each offering capabilities for hard-to-place risks through different avenues and markets, our people have options when it comes to risk placement. Our people bring enthusiasm and expertise to every challenge. We take a ‘say no to no’ approach to submissions, and we work together to come through with a solution,” she says.
Last year was a hectic time for the insurance marketplace, and RPS was right in the middle of the action. “It was one of the busiest years in the excess-and-surplus markets in recent history – markets shifted appetites, policyholders and their agents were left searching for coverage, terms and conditions adjusted, and rates across most classes of business were still on the rise,” says Emily Hathcoat, vice president for marketing.
“It was a difficult year for our retail agent and broker partners to ensure they had the most cost-effective protection for their clients. Our specialist broker and underwriting teams across our brokerage, binding and programs divisions worked tirelessly to ensure risks were placed in the right markets, squared away and under control, so our clients could move ahead with confidence. Through it all, we still delivered new products and exclusive programs that made it easier for independent agents and brokers to come through for their clients.”
The culture at RPS makes it stand out from the competition, says Fournet. The company fosters collaboration and entrepreneurialism, which means that suggestions for improvement are welcome. “When a new producer needs assistance or guidance, we surround that individual with support and mentorship. We truly operate as ‘one RPS’ and know that when our client succeeds, we all succeed,” she says.
The culture at RPS makes it stand out from the competition, says Fournet.
The company fosters collaboration and entrepreneurialism, which means that suggestions for improvement are welcome. “When a new producer needs assistance or guidance, we surround that individual with support and mentorship. We truly operate as ‘one RPS’ and know that when our client succeeds, we all succeed,” she says.