Press Releases

Risk Strategies Company Acquires OakBridge Advisors, Broadens National Employee Benefits Practice in California

Newport Beach-Based Brokerage Firm Marks Third Acquisition in Three Weeks, Further Establishes Risk Strategies Golden State Presence

BOSTON, June 02, 2016 -- Risk Strategies, a leading national specialty insurance brokerage and risk management and consulting firm, today announced it has added to its industry-leading Employee Benefits practice and its presence in California with the acquisition of OakBridge Advisors. This announcement marks the third deal in as many weeks for Risk Strategies following the recent acquisitions of Atlass Insurance Group based in Fort Lauderdale and John Buttine, Inc., based in New York City.

Located in Newport Beach, OakBridge Advisors has been a leader in helping clients keep pace with the rapidly evolving employee benefits market, including the proliferation of technology offerings driving increased access and efficiency.

OakBridge's service offerings and capabilities are highly complementary to Risk Strategies', ranging from benefit plan design and HR consulting to corporate wellness and compliance.

"The Affordable Care Act and the rapid adoption of benefits technologies are placing a premium on firms that can blend deep market expertise with a clear sense of how to position clients for the future," said John Greenbaum, Risk Strategies Company Employee Benefits national practice leader. "The demonstrated success of OakBridge Advisors in helping clients successfully navigate and simplify these complexities makes them a great fit for our business."

Founded and led by Edward Kirkwood CLU®, ChFC® and Lawrence Hartley, OakBridge's insightful, detailed approach to client service has led to an extensive and loyal client base.

"We are pleased to join a firm that shares the same values as ours; putting clients' interest first above all others," said Hartley, president and co-founder of OakBridge Advisors. "Becoming part of Risk Strategies will allow us to expand our capabilities, which will benefit our current, and future, clients tremendously."

Kirkwood, Hartley and the entire OakBridge staff will continue on as a team, serving their current client base and working closely with Risk Strategies' other California offices in Irvine, Glendale, San Francisco, and Sacramento.

To learn more about Risk Strategies, please visit www.riskstrategies.com

About Risk Strategies

Risk Strategies is the 9th largest privately held US brokerage firm offering comprehensive risk management advice, insurance and reinsurance placement for property & casualty, employee benefits, private client services, as well as consulting services and financial & wealth solutions. With more than 30 specialty practices, Risk Strategies serves commercial companies, nonprofits, public entities, and individuals, and has access to all major insurance markets. Risk Strategies has over 100 offices including Boston, New York City, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, Grand Cayman, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Nashville, Washington DC, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. RiskStrategies.com.