For Immediate Release
For Further Information:
Stefan Petrella, SPetrella@starshep.com
Starkweather & Shepley Insurance Brokerage Welcomes New Trustees and Reaffirms Leadership for Future Growth
Providence, Rhode Island, July 2024 — Starkweather & Shepley Insurance Brokerage has announced significant leadership changes and personnel appointments following the retirement of longtime Chairman and CEO Lawrence E. Keefe.
Earlier this summer, Lawrence “Larry” Keefe retired from Starkweather & Shepley after 39 years of dedicated service, including more than seven years as the agency’s Chairman and CEO. A longtime industry expert, Keefe oversaw Starkweather & Shepley during a period of remarkable growth, with annual revenues increasing to nearly $80 million, and the team surpassing 300 plus associates in 15 offices around the country.
Additionally, Starkweather & Shepley’s influence within the insurance industry itself has solidified under Keefe’s guidance, as it has garnered numerous accolades, including being named on the Insurance Journal’s Top 100 Agencies list, its Top 50 Property & Casualty Insurance Brokers list, and its list of best Personal Lines Agencies in the nation. The agency has also been ranked among the best places to work by numerous industry publications, including the Insurance Journal and the Providence Business Review.
In recognition of its continued expansion, Starkweather & Shepley proudly introduces Elizabeth A. Lowe and Richard W. Anderson as new Trustees of the agency.
Elizabeth Lowe has had an immense impact on Starkweather & Shepley since joining the agency in September of 2014, not just in terms of her technical ability, but also her overall leadership and the impact she has made throughout the organization within different verticals, practices, departments, and locations. Prior to being named a Trustee, Lowe was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2019.
Richard Anderson joined Starkweather & Shepley in 2016 as Chief Financial Officer and was appointed to the agency’s Board of Directors in 2018. Anderson guided Starkweather & Shepley through the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, and his stewardship, dedication, and passion benefits each of the agency’s associates.
One key distinction of Starkweather & Shepley within the insurance industry is that the agency has been held in Trust since 1935. This ensures that Starkweather & Shepley will remain privately held in perpetuity, providing certainty and continuity for its clients, a key to success in an increasingly fragmented industry.
In addition to the appointments of Lowe and Anderson as Trustees, Starkweather & Shepley has announced that Peter C. Plumb has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective June 12, 2024. Plumb joined Starkweather & Shepley in 2009 and has served in key leadership positions throughout his tenure. He was appointed to the board of directors in 2015, named a Trustee in 2017, and took on the role of Chief Operating Officer beginning in 2018. His intimate knowledge of the industry, his leadership, and his vision for the future are set to lead Starkweather & Shepley into the agency’s next phase of growth and innovation.
“We are privileged to welcome Elizabeth and Richard as Trustees,” said Andrew J. Fotopulos, Chairman of Starkweather & Shepley. “Their expertise and dedication have been and will continue to be invaluable as we navigate the evolving landscape of the insurance industry. Likewise, Peter’s appointment as CEO underscores our commitment to continuity and strategic leadership. As Starkweather & Shepley looks towards the future, we remain steadfast in our mission to uphold our legacy of excellence while adapting to meet the needs of its clients, associates, and communities.”
For more information on Starkweather & Shepley’s recent personnel announcements, or to arrange an interview with members of the agency’s leadership team, please contact Stefan Petrella at spetrella@starshep.com.
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About Starkweather & Shepley Insurance Brokerage, Inc.
Established in 1879, Starkweather & Shepley is the largest independent insurance agency in Rhode Island and the 61st largest insurance brokerage firm in the United States. Consistently ranked among the Top 10 Best Places to Work in Insurance by Business Insurance Magazine, the firm provides comprehensive insurance solutions for a variety of industries, including commercial and personal insurance, health and employee benefits, and surety bonding and risk management services, nationally and internationally through the firm’s partnership with Assurex Global. Starkweather & Shepley has been held in Trust since 1935, ensuring that the firm will remain privately held in perpetuity, providing certainty and continuity for clients and associates alike. Starkweather & Shepley is headquartered in East Providence, RI, with additional offices in Providence, Middletown, and Westerly, RI; Bristol and Shelton, CT; Sturbridge and Martha’s Vineyard, MA, and Palm Beach Gardens and Naples, FL. For more information, visit starshep.com.
