Ed Ellsasser is the President of PrimeGroup Insurance Services (PGI), a full-lines commercial insurance, personal insurance, and employee benefits agency.
Since 1999, PGI has more than tripled in size and manages over $50 million in premium out of its three main locations in Tampa Bay, South Florida, and Central Florida.
As the President of the company, Ed understands what it takes to be a leader, be involved in the community, and provide his clients with the best experience possible.
It’s for these reasons, among many, we were excited to learn more about Ed’s company, career experience, and more.
Enjoy our Q&A with Ed Ellsasser!
What makes PrimeGroup Insurance Services different from other insurance agencies in Tampa?
Our Core Values are centered around our employees, the community, and our clients. With the strong culture we have built at PGI, many of our employees have been with us for 10+ years so we have a knowledgeable staff that is technology-driven. We focus on donating time and money to help the communities we do business in. Many of our team are on nonprofit boards and we support many nonprofits in the Tampa Bay Area. We also focus on our clients. PrimeGroup has a strong retention rate due to our personalized service. At PGI you will develop a personal relationship with our team.
How important is relationship building in insurance?
Relationships are key in insurance. We want to become a trusted advisor for our clients on all business-related issues, not just insurance. For example, during the time when the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans first came out, PGI helped walk many of our clients through this process and connected them with our local banking relationships so they could get their loans processed quickly to keep their business running.
What’s the most important business lesson you’ve learned so far in your career?
Hire based on culture fit. Yes, their background is important but do they fit in our culture? Are they willing to focus on the client and be sure their issues are handled timely? Do they care about giving back and helping others? And, do they like to have a good time?
What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting out in the insurance industry?
Find a mentor. I have had many mentors over the years both in the industry and outside the industry. I lean on them for their knowledge and expertise to help me get from A to Z faster.
What do you love most about Tampa?
I love the water I really enjoy fishing and being out on the water. The water is where it is at!
