IMA Financial Group, a national insurance brokerage firm specializing in property and casualty insurance, employee benefits and surety bonds, has completed its acquisition of ESS NexTier Insurance Group, a similarly structured practice with four offices throughout Pennsylvania.
The acquisition expands IMA’s energy practice. ESS NexTier adds natural gas capabilities to IMA’s existing expertise, including onshore and offshore operations and international exploration. It also establishes a Northeastern presence for IMA, which has its main offices in Colorado, Kansas, Texas and Michigan.
ESS NexTier’s 35 current employees and its four locations across Pennsylvania – in Butler, Pittsburgh, and two in Kittanning – will continue operations as IMA | ESS. In the new organization, Charles “Chip” Echnoz will serve as president of IMA | ESS – Pittsburgh, Rick Putnam as senior executive vice president of IMA | ESS and Watson Barker as executive vice president of IMA | ESS.