SOUTHWESTERN NEWS ZONE......

Combined Agents of America LLC (CAA), at its quarterly board meeting in Austin, Texas, announced its expansion to 42 members with new member, Hill County Insurance Agency Inc. in Hillsboro, Texas.

With a strong presence in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, CAA is a managing general agency (MGA) looking to further expansion across the country to strengthen the independent agency system through profitable growth and exceptional service for its member agencies.

"By joining CAA, our agency gained access to new insurance markets and programs that will provide our customers and prospects with broader solutions for a variety of risks," said Bill Siddons III, new CAA member and vice president of Hill County Insurance Agency. "Not only does Hill County Insurance Agency benefit from the external relationships CAA built with insurance providers, but it has already begun to tap into the wealth of industry knowledge fostered among the 42 high-caliber CAA member agencies."

Started in 1912 and family-owned and operated by the Siddons family since 1921, Hill County Insurance Agency has provided a full range of personal and business insurance solutions to central Texas residents for over 90 years. W.W. "Bill" Siddons, Jr., president, took the helm as the second-generation leader at Hill County Insurance and began managing the office in 1956. W.W. "Bill" Siddons, III, vice president, joined the agency full time in 1990. His industry participation includes serving as past president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Central Texas. Also he served on the Agent Advisory Boards of the Hochheim Prairie Insurance Co., Allstate Insurance Company, and Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Company.

"Bill Siddons is a very professional insurance agent who wants to grow his agency in central Texas, and we at CAA are proud to have him as a new member," said Bill Bridges, CAA chairman and executive vice president of Duncan, Fraser & Bridges, Pampa, TX. "We have already seen Bill's skills go to work for the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas where he actively serves on the board of directors alongside chairing several committees. We know Bill's broad experience and networking capabilities will greatly benefit CAA."

CAA's member agencies convene on a quarterly basis to knowledge share, discuss industry issues, review its relationships with insurance carriers, and assess CAA operations. Highlights from the recent board meeting include:

• New member presentation to independent agency prospects,
• Insurance carrier presentations by Swett & Crawford Group, Service Lloyds Insurance Company, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company and Brown & Brown Inc.
• Brown & Brown sponsored social for CAA members,
• Swett & Crawford sponsored lunch for CAA members,
• Member golf tournament at Falconhead Golf Club in Austin, TX.