Too big to be small and too small to be big.
That was our dilemma at our respective agencies (Klein Agency & IMCI) when the idea for Nexus first sparked in 2016. We had challenges that we knew scale could solve, but we also weren’t ready to give up our identities and commitment to client relationships by joining one of the insurance bohemyths.
We saw a lack of succession planning solutions — the aging insurance broker market was being forced to sell out to larger agencies; the blood, sweat, and tears of brand building gone with the stroke of a check. We recognized the transactional nature of many insurance agencies while witnessing a strong desire for specialization and education from our clients. We wanted to serve our small business clients with a high level of care in a way that was also profitable for our agencies.
So we created Nexus.
An alternative, relationship-driven way to grow.
A way to have access to more resources while maintaining a high-touch client experience. A way to be surrounded by like-minded professionals eager to learn and share knowledge. A way to obtain leadership and exponentially grow intellectual capital. A way to gain new carrier relationships and more risk management opportunities for our clients. A way to blend autonomy and growth.
Join Us.
NEXUS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Meet Justin. Native of Baltimore, Maryland, graduate of Duke University, President of the Klein Agency, and unofficial Chief Worrier around the office. He loves to start his day with a cup of coffee and a contract review, and he can often be found puzzling (aka solving) the team’s most complex business or insurance problems. With Analytical as his top Strength, Justin considers all the factors that might affect a situation, a coveted skill in the insurance world. He finds joy in his work because it is the ideal blend of connections, analysis, and delivering solutions — you will really see him shine during seminars and educational presentations when all three are present. Once one of the top amateur golfers in his home state, Justin would prefer to put his phone on silent during the first two rounds of the Masters. He and his wife, Patty, have three children. A Golden Retriever, Daisy, and a King Charles Spaniel, Tucker, complete the family.
Top 5 Strengths: Analytical, Activator, Significance, Focus, Restorative
Most desirable super power: To fly
Book he might give you: Book of Dad Jokes
Quote to live by: “Be youthful in spirit, yet mature in judgement”
Meet Mark. Native of Lynn, Massachusetts, graduate of Boston College, Partner at the Klein Agency, and affectionately known as The Hurricane around the office. Mark opened the Philadelphia branch of Klein in 2007. His choice to be a specialist in the insurance space was actually his second career choice, a decision he made upon realizing the GM of the Red Sox was already spoken for. He is gifted with the Strengths of Context and Arranger, meaning he looks to the past to inform future actions, arranging information to make the best comprehensive decision. Mark feels most satisfied when his day includes thoughtful conversation, challenging questions, and plenty of laughter. A dynamic speaker and teacher, Mark is a perfect choice for continuing education sessions. He is a leader and natural influencer, dating all the way back to his first paying gig dressed up as a gorilla to encourage passerbys into the local florist shop. Mark and his wife, Cameron, are the proud parents of two girls and a Portuguese Water Dog, Winston.
Top 5 Strengths: Context, Positivity, Adaptability, Relator, Arranger
Little known skill: Mark can skate around a hockey rink in under 15 seconds
Speech he’d most like to give: The Gettysburg Address
Book he might give you: Oh, the Places You’ll Go! — Dr. Suess
Meet Stephen. Native of Charlotte, North Carolina, graduate of UNC Charlotte, Principal at IMCI, and the team’s Chief Tea Drinker. You can catch him in the early mornings, holed up in a local coffee shop, sipping tea and focusing on a contract review or company project. Stephen is a relationship builder by nature; his top Strength is Developer so he sees nothing but potential in others and likes to invest in their growth. He is a voracious reader and podcast junkie, regularly sharing introspective conversations about a wide array of topics with colleagues and clients alike. Stephen is ready and willing to answer all your insurance questions — on any day other than the first day of March Madness. He is the proud father of a son and a daughter.
Top 5 Strengths: Developer, Input, Adaptability, Positivity, Includer
Book he might give you: Essentialism — Greg McKeown
Quote to live by: “We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.” — Confucius
Little known skill: Stephen can play most instruments with strings
Meet Krystal. Native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, graduate of Albright College, and Assistant Controller for Nexus Professional Risk. She joined the team in 2018.
CLIENT ENGAGEMENT
Meet Barb. A New Jersey native, graduate of Northwestern “Go Cats!”, Director of Client Engagement and Risk Management, Barb joined Nexus in 2020. With 35+ years in the insurance industry, Barb has earned the nickname Big Sister as she is always looking to offer words of wisdom and sound advice for clients and colleagues. With a BA in Mathematics, Barb was attracted to working with A&E firms as her degree intersected nicely with design. A full day for Barb would include a hike along the C&O canal, hearing a client say “Thanks! That’s really helpful”, and raising funds for her favorite nonprofits. Always looking at the sweeter side of life, her first job was working at a family-owned store and getting paid in candy and ice cream. Good luck reaching Barb on June 20th as it’s likely she and her husband, Craig, will be enjoying the longest day of the year with Ruthie their English Pointer.
Fear she has outgrown: Heights after summiting Mount Kilimanjaro
Favorite childhood toy: Barbie, of course!
Book she might give you: 1,000 Places to See Before You Die – Patricia Schultz
If she could be anywhere in history for one day it would be: At the Cardiff University lab working with the research team that discovered a method to kill prostate, breast, lung, and other cancers.
THE NEXUS FAMILY
Unburdening clients from risk
in 29 states.
