The Jacksonville-based Brightway Insurance Group has announced that it will continue its aggressive expansion plan with the goal of having 150 offices across the state by 2010. Brightway was founded in 2003 through the acquisition of the Jennings Insurance Agency. The company currently has over 60 employees and has seen its customer base increase from 2,000 to 18,000 over the past three years. The company now represents over $25 million in premiums and with the coming expansion is looking to increase its annual premium to over $40 million this year. The company is also looking to expand into other states including Georgia, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. In 2006 and 2007, Brightway has been named as one of the best places to work by the Jacksonville Business Journal.

Brightway recently announced it is opening three territories around the state, which will be owned by three of the firm's associates. Jim Phil will oversee the company's operations in the northeast portion of the state, which includes Duval, Clay, Nassau, Bradford, Putnam, Union, Columbia, Marion, Alachua, and Baker counties. The territories will combine seven existing offices with the 13 new locations over the next three years.

Billy Wagner has been named head of the north coast territory, which will encompass St. Johns, Flagler, and Volusia counties. Ten offices that will be staffed by 25 to 30 new positions will serve the area. Rhonda Sexton will assume the company's west- central territory including Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, and Hernando counties. Over the next three years, the company is expected to open 20 offices that will create 50 new positions.