Brown & Brown of Detroit traces its roots back to 1948 when Glenn H. Johnson, a well-known amateur golfer, began his insurance career with fellow Michigan State Alumnus and nationally recognized Olympic swimmer, William A. Prew. By 1958, Prew & Johnson and another similar agency with Robert P. Neesley and James Sample were both located at 28 W. Adams in downtown Detroit during the city’s heyday. To employ cost saving strategies they decided to cluster the two firms under the name Allied Underwriters, Inc. This launched an entity that was destined to become one of the largest and most successful insurance firms in the State of Michigan.
The next years showed steady growth, and by its tenth anniversary in 1968 was undergoing further change. Prew and Sample relocated their operations to Southfield, Michigan under the name William A Prew Co. By the end of 1969 the separation was legal. Glenn Johnson retained the Allied brand together with Robert J. Pfeffer who had joined Allied in 1960. This new beginning was a challenge for the firm. To help to reestablish prior production levels, Paul Van Der Hoeven was recruited to the firm, early in 1969.
By 1978, the three principals combined with an enthusiastic staff, had built an impressive insurance practice. Van Der Hoeven brought new and progressive ideas and was responsible for Allied becoming one of the earliest agencies in Michigan to embrace automation through the use of computer technology.
Allied had begun to recognize the value of being a true multi-faceted, full service insurance firm. The definitive step in that direction took place in 1982 when John G. Marshall joined the firm and established the Financial Services Group. Marshall brought together professionals in health and employee benefits, pension design and funding, life insurance and estate planning. Paul Van Der Hoeven succeeded as President with Glenn Johnson’s retirement in 1986.
During its 30th year in 1987, Allied Underwriters had outgrown several downtown Detroit office locations and built its first spacious new office building on Hoover Road in Warren, Michigan. There they were joined by LoVasco Financial Services, a team consisting of John L. LoVasco, and his sons Gene and John J. LoVasco. This addition brought a great infusion of life and group insurance business, along with the next generation of young, enthusiastic associates.
The firm sought to increase production both organically and through merger and acquisition. In 1994, the affiliated insurance divisions were merged and Allied Underwriters, Inc. became The Allied Companies, Inc. Now more than ever there was a concerted, ongoing effort to grow the professional expertise of each specialty division to insure that Allied could represent clients needs at almost any level. Unique strategies were created and implemented to guarantee a continued investment in technology and employee development. That management process repaid Allied and it’s clients many times over.
The 1990’s were a period of considerable growth and progress. By 1998, Allied’s 40th year, The Allied Companies was a leading firm in Southeast Michigan providing a wide array of professional insurance services. Change however, had always created opportunity and management was anxious to reach for the next level. John Marshall became Board Chairman, and Gene LoVasco became President, succeeding Paul Van Der Hoeven, as Paul moved towards retirement. John J. LoVasco assumed the Vice President position and Director of Employee Benefits.
In 2001 continued growth and expansion caused the company to move its headquarters to its present 27,000 Sq' location in Sterling Heights, Michigan. With this transition, The Allied Companies adopted the name, ALCOS, Inc., an abbreviation of the Allied Companies. In the same year ALCOS became a member of the prestigious M Financial Group whose buying power helps the company serve the insurance and executive benefit needs of the ultra-affluent and corporate executives.
In 2003, ALCOS merged Fritsch-Kinney Yacht Insurance, a premier yacht insurance agency which began serving Great Lakes boaters in 1875. The Fritsch-Kinney name remains a hallmark name today. In 2004, the Company acquired Mundus and Mundus, and maintains its office in Ann Arbor, Mich.
In 2007 ALCOS was acquired by Brown & Brown, the nation’s seventh largest insurance intermediary. With revenue exceeding $959 million, Brown & Brown is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, symbol (BRO). Now a wholly owned subsidiary, ALCOS is vibrant and continues to grow and prosper as a decentralized company under the Daytona, Fla.-based corporation’s leadership. Visit Brown & Brown at www.bbinsurance.com.
In 2008, ALCOS celebrated its 50th year serving the community with over 90 employees in four operating divisions at two locations. In 2009 ALCOS transitioned its name to become known as Brown & Brown of Detroit and together with other Michigan based Brown & Brown offices is ranked as the third largest business insurance agency according to Crain's Detroit Business. Brown & Brown of Detroit offers a complete portfolio of insurance, employee benefit and retirement planning services to business and individuals alike.
Through the Companies rich history, Brown & Brown of Detroit has been chosen as a Future 50 of Greater Detroit Company from 2004 through 2006, was named by Crain's Detroit Business as a "Cool Place to Work" in 2005, and has been named one of Metropolitan Detroit's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For consecutively from 2002 through 2006, when it was chosen as an Elite Winner for Excellence in Employee Motivation and Enthusiasm.
