Merger Helped Propel ESS NexTier Insurance

ESS Insurance Group and NexTier Insurance Services, LLC insurance operations have only become stronger since their merger into ESS NexTier Insurance January 1.

Charles “Chip” Echnoz, a current principal with ESS, became Chief
Executive Officer and Rick Putnam, current President and CEO of NexTier
Insurance was named President and Chief Operating Officer of the combined organization. ESS NexTier Insurance maintains offices in Kittanning, Butler, and Greensburg.

Additionally, ESS NexTier has formed a wholly owned subsidiary to specifically address the unique needs of the energy industry, including oil and gas, mining, and power generation operators and service companies.

ESS Energy Group’s staff will be fully dedicated to the design, implementation and service of energy insurance programs, as well as risk consulting in M&A, contracts, and more. Watson Barker will lead the ESS Energy Group.

“Together, these two organizations have been in business over 75 years, work with more than 30 carriers, and offer insurance products and services to meet just about any insurance need you may have. This means more options and expanded services for our customers,” Echnoz said. “We have been dedicated to the design, marketing, implementation and service of energy risk management and insurance programs for over 25 years. The introduction of ESS Energy Group further solidifies our commitment to the oil, gas, mining and power generation industries.”

ESS Insurance Group offers a wide spectrum of Property & Casualty, Risk Management and Employee Benefits solutions to businesses and individual clients throughout Pennsylvania and the world. For more than 50 years, ESS’ reliable and leading-edge insurance brokerage and consulting services have enabled clients to secure their assets, their workforce, and their bottom line.

What sets ESS NexTier apart is service, commitment to customers and unique approaches to loss control and claims handling,” officials said.

“Our combined professional staff has decades of industry experience,” Putnam said. “We remain dedicated to customer relationships that foster trust, efficiency and proactive risk management. We have the resources to design, manage and service programs for large businesses, small and family-owned businesses and organizations, and individuals with a wide range of personal insurance needs. This is an exciting time for both NexTier and ESS Insurance.”

ESS NexTier operates 4 locations, two in Kittanning, one in Butler and one in Greensburg. It ranks as the 14th largest insurance agency in the Pittsburgh/Tri-State area, and is ranked in the top five percent of all agencies in the United States when it comes to operations, performance, profitability and general business practices, according to agency consultant Marsh-Berry.

For the fifth consecutive year, NexTier Insurance Services retained its elite status as a “Best Practices Agency” as determined by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA).

The insurance group, founded in 1986 and headquartered in Butler, is an affiliate of NexTier Bank.