Company address
18550 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, Wisconsin 53045
Company Web site
www.aegis-corporation.com
Industry
"Insurance programs and services for public entity clients such as county governments and school districts. We specialize in the development and implementation of association and alternative-risk financing programs, as well as provide a full line of business insurance coverages for public entity clients."
Number of employees
42
Company’s annual revenue
More than $130 million in premium written in 2005.
Education
University of Minnesota-bachelor of arts; attained CPCU in 1972.
Family
Wife, Diane; daughters, Stephanie, 30, Heather, 28, Robyn, 25; and son, Eric, 27, plus five grandchildren.
What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
"We have recently changed the structure of our company a bit to allow us to continue to grow and better serve our clients in a more effective manner. When my partner, John Dirkse, executive vice president, and I started this company in 1993, we literally had two other employees for a total of four people. Thirteen years and a lot of hard work later, we are in six states and hope to expand into two more in the next year. Anyone that owns their own business, regardless of size, knows how much passion, sweat and long, long hours it takes to not only survive, but thrive in the marketplace. We are still growing, and the personnel changes reflect the future needs of Aegis Corp."
What’s new at your company?
"A lot has changed since we began this company, and one of the biggest things we’ve done in recent years is embrace technology and use it to better meet our clients’ needs. We just completed filming a series of health and wellness videos that will be available in both an online and video format on topics such as smoking cessation and exercise. We’ve also created online safety training that incorporates video, audio and educational materials. Now, an insured can simply go online and receive training at a time and place convenient for both the employee and employer."
Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
"As we look to expand our reinsurance involvement and insurance program administration in the next year, we plan on continuing to grow to meet the needs of our public entity clients."
What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?
"We have always been unique in the industry because we are not a traditional insurance administration firm. With access to a wide variety of reinsurance and excess insurance markets, we also provide comprehensive and cost-effective insurance alternatives. As the insurance market changes, it is always our challenge to stay on top of trends to ensure our clients’ needs are being met."
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
"I think now more than ever, our clients want to be proactive in controlling losses. From administering wellness programs to providing safety seminars to county highway departments, we have always set ourselves apart from our competition because of our unwavering commitment to loss control. Last year alone, our risk management staff made over 500 site visits to provide safety seminars. We have also developed online safety training modules for our clients that can be accessed from anywhere."
Do you have a business mantra?
"Our vision has always been to help organizations help themselves."
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
"My partner, John Dirkse, has been such a tremendous force behind this company, and I admire him greatly for his tenacity, business sense and dedication to taking our vision and making it a reality."
What was the best advice you ever received?
"You can plan all you want, but the execution is the only business process that causes change."
What do you like to do in your free time?
"My grandkids keep me going and have been such a joy in my life. It is incredible how much they enrich our lives. We get to spoil them like all grandparents do, and we are enjoying every minute of it.
