In this episode of Agency Ascend, we sit down with Austin, an agency founder who shares his story of transitioning from a corporate development role into running his own independent agency. Austin breaks down the strategic mindset that helped him grow without compromising his values.
He talks about the importance of mentorship, building trust through service, and how agencies often solve problems clients don’t even know they have. More than just tactical advice, Austin opens up about what drives him: legacy, family, and purpose-driven leadership. This conversation is packed with insight for producers, agency owners, and anyone looking to grow with intention.

Shares:

Chad The Four Agreements

Austin Strong Heart

Jessica "I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things" - Mother Teresa

Chris Matt 6:34

About the Show

Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by Managing Partner, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency owners turn their business into a major asset.

CoVerica Agency Alliance is a strategic master agency of SIAA, the fastest growing agency partnership in the country. Our “integrator” model combines the best aspects of each partnership model — clusters, aggregators, franchises — to create a one-of-a-kind partnership that enhances distribution and drives organic growth. As a top insurance agency strategic partner in Texas, we offer solutions to greatly strengthen your agency’s position in the market.

New episodes drop triweekly on Wednesdays. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

Visit us at www.covericaaa.com

In this episode of Agency Ascend, hosts Chris and Chad sit down with Amanda Hightower, founder of Hightower Insurance Group. Amanda shares how a moment of divine inspiration led her to start her own agency—and the mindset, systems, and leadership lessons that helped her scale it.

She walks through the emotional challenges of being a leader, how she invests in her team, and what it means to lead with both strength and compassion. From learning to say no, to creating space for her family, to staying grounded in her faith, Amanda offers practical advice for agency owners who want to grow without burning out.

Whether you’re thinking about launching your own business or simply want to lead with more intention, Amanda’s story is a masterclass in courage, clarity, and conviction.

Shares:

Amanda: Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink & Words That Work by Frank Luntz

Chad: Beyond the Hammer by Brian Gottlieb

Chris: Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business

About the Show

Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by Managing Partner, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency owners turn their business into a major asset.

CoVerica Agency Alliance is a strategic master agency of SIAA, the fastest growing agency partnership in the country. Our “integrator” model combines the best aspects of each partnership model — clusters, aggregators, franchises — to create a one-of-a-kind partnership that enhances distribution and drives organic growth. As a top insurance agency strategic partner in Texas, we offer solutions to greatly strengthen your agency’s position in the market.

New episodes drop triweekly on Wednesdays. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

Visit us at www.covericaaa.com

In this episode of Agency Ascend, hosts Chad Brummett and Chris Delacey sit down with Diana and Ron Crenshaw of Elite Security Insurance. From military service to agency ownership, the Crenshaws share how their unique paths led them to buy and revitalize a struggling agency. They reveal how systems built from scratch, strong communication, and unwavering honesty with clients helped them grow rapidly—even during a hard market.

The conversation touches on the emotional realities of buying a business, the importance of a mission-driven approach, and the power of being accessible and transparent with customers. Diana and Ron also open up about working together as a married couple, what drives their leadership philosophy, and how they’re planning to merge business with adventure by taking their work on the road.

This episode offers practical wisdom for any insurance professional considering ownership, looking to strengthen operations, or aiming to build deeper client relationships.

Tagline: “Onward and upward — with clarity, communication, and a little chaos.”

Tagline:
“Lead with faith. Build with integrity. Lift others as you climb.”

Shares:
Diana: II Tim 1:7 - "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

Ron: "In chaos there is profit, in extreme chaos there is extreme profit"

Chris: "Inner Excellence" by Jim Murphy

Chad: "Beyond The Hammer" by Brian Gottlieb

About the Show

Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by Managing Partner, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency owners turn their business into a major asset.

CoVerica Agency Alliance is a strategic master agency of SIAA, the fastest growing agency partnership in the country. Our “integrator” model combines the best aspects of each partnership model — clusters, aggregators, franchises — to create a one-of-a-kind partnership that enhances distribution and drives organic growth. As a top insurance agency strategic partner in Texas, we offer solutions to greatly strengthen your agency’s position in the market.

New episodes drop triweekly on Wednesdays. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

Visit us at www.covericaaa.com

In this episode of Agency Ascend, hosts Chris and Jessica sit down with Wes Spencer, co-owner of Spencer Insurance DFW, for a masterclass in agency growth and strategic decision-making.

Wes shares how he and his brother navigated the transition from a captive agency to full independence—one of only eight agencies nationwide to take advantage of Nationwide’s Partner Choice buyout. He explains how they built a thriving, referral-driven business by prioritizing relationships, client education, and niche commercial markets. Wes also dives into the role of faith and stewardship in leadership, and why long-term thinking beats chasing short-term margins.

This is Part 2 of our conversations with Spencer Insurance DFW. See our previous episode with his brother, James Spencer.

Shares:
Chris: Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman
Jessica: How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Wes: I Cor 16:13-14 - "13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love." (ESV)

About the Show

Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by Managing Partner, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency owners turn their business into a major asset.

CoVerica Agency Alliance is a strategic master agency of SIAA, the fastest growing agency partnership in the country. Our “integrator” model combines the best aspects of each partnership model — clusters, aggregators, franchises — to create a one-of-a-kind partnership that enhances distribution and drives organic growth. As a top insurance agency strategic partner in Texas, we offer solutions to greatly strengthen your agency’s position in the market.

New episodes drop triweekly on Wednesdays. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

Visit us at www.covericaaa.com

In this Agency Ascend episode, James Spencer of Insurance DFW shares his journey from the captive world to building one of the most respected independent agencies in the Career Agency Alliance. He explains how early frustrations with changing comp plans led him and his brother to take a long-view approach to starting their own agency. By prioritizing coverage over cost and educating clients with clarity, James earned unwavering loyalty—even operating without a website or ad spend.

Listeners will hear James break down how his agency navigated the hard market of 2023–2024, maintained retention by offering real answers to rising rates, and why customer education has become their most valuable marketing tool. From real-life claim stories to insights into commercial policy missteps, James outlines what makes a professional insurance agent stand out in today’s commoditized landscape.

His philosophy is simple: do right by the client, and the business will take care of itself.

Shares:
James - Client story about customer service
Chris - Warren Buffet quote on emotions
Chad - Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy

About the Show

Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by Managing Partner, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency owners turn their business into a major asset.

CoVerica Agency Alliance is a strategic master agency of SIAA, the fastest growing agency partnership in the country. Our “integrator” model combines the best aspects of each partnership model — clusters, aggregators, franchises — to create a one-of-a-kind partnership that enhances distribution and drives organic growth. As a top insurance agency strategic partner in Texas, we offer solutions to greatly strengthen your agency’s position in the market.

New episodes drop triweekly on Wednesdays. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

Visit us at www.covericaaa.com

In this episode of Agency Ascend, Cameron Moore, founder of ProCo Insurance, shares how he built a thriving independent agency during one of the hardest insurance markets in decades. From abandoning law school to launching ProCo during COVID, Cameron’s story is one of resilience, mentorship, and relentless forward motion.

He discusses the pivot from personal lines to commercial, hiring mistakes, and what it takes to actually lead a team. Cameron dives deep into his philosophy of overcommunication, tech adoption, and using psychology to better understand clients and employees. He also opens up about his faith, sharing how spiritual discipline and integrity have grounded his agency’s growth.

This episode is packed with tactical advice, leadership lessons, and a refreshing reminder that doing business the right way still works.

Shares:

Chris recommends the book “Unoffendable” by Brant Hansen

Chad recommends “Inner Excellence” by Jim Murphy

Cameron Moore:

• Favorite Verse: Colossians 1:29

“I work hard and struggle for my goals with God’s energy, which works powerfully in me.”

About the Show

Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by Managing Partner, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency owners turn their business into a major asset.

CoVerica Agency Alliance is a strategic master agency of SIAA, the fastest growing agency partnership in the country. Our “integrator” model combines the best aspects of each partnership model — clusters, aggregators, franchises — to create a one-of-a-kind partnership that enhances distribution and drives organic growth. As a top insurance agency strategic partner in Texas, we offer solutions to greatly strengthen your agency’s position in the market.

New episodes drop triweekly on Wednesdays. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

Visit us at www.covericaaa.com

In Episode 7 of Agency Ascend, we sit down with Sean Munger, a producer with an owner’s mindset, to unpack what it really means to play the long game.

This episode is all about consistency, execution, and long-term thinking. Sean breaks down how he built trust with clients, developed a disciplined work ethic, and focused on delivering value over time, not just short-term wins.

We also dive into:

• The importance of humility and mentorship
• What sellers are really looking for in a buyer
• Why carrier relationships and retention can make or break a deal
• How to grow into ownership before you buy your way in

🎧 Listen in to learn how smart future owners think—and lead—before they ever take the reins.

About the Show

Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by Managing Partner, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency owners turn their business into a major asset.

CoVerica Agency Alliance is a strategic master agency of SIAA, the fastest growing agency partnership in the country. Our “integrator” model combines the best aspects of each partnership model — clusters, aggregators, franchises — to create a one-of-a-kind partnership that enhances distribution and drives organic growth. As a top insurance agency strategic partner in Texas, we offer solutions to greatly strengthen your agency’s position in the market.

New episodes drop triweekly on Wednesdays. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

Visit us at www.covericaaa.com

Many agency owners assume they own their book of business—but the reality can be far more complicated.

In this episode of Agency Ascend, we dive deep into the ownership dilemma that many agents face. While you may have control over client data, do you really own your carrier contracts? The difference could be the deciding factor in whether you can sell, scale, or exit your agency on your terms.

Industry experts break down the pitfalls of captive models, the hidden risks in agency contracts, and why independent agency networks are reshaping the industry. If you’re an agent thinking about scaling or acquiring a book of business, this is the conversation you need to hear.

📈 Tune in for insights on protecting your agency, maximizing growth, and making the smartest moves in today’s insurance landscape.

Connect with John:

John Sutter LinkedIn

Shares:

Chris: "Inner Excellence" by Jim Murphy
John: "Born on the 5th of July" Capt Fredrick O. Phelps
Jessica: "The Screwtape Letters" by C. S. Lewis

About the Show

Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by Managing Partner, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency owners turn their business into a major asset.

CoVerica Agency Alliance is a strategic master agency of SIAA, the fastest growing agency partnership in the country. Our “integrator” model combines the best aspects of each partnership model — clusters, aggregators, franchises — to create a one-of-a-kind partnership that enhances distribution and drives organic growth. As a top insurance agency strategic partner in Texas, we offer solutions to greatly strengthen your agency’s position in the market.

New episodes drop triweekly on Wednesdays. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

Visit us at www.covericaaa.com