In 2009, Bridges Group agency owner Trent Richmond joined Combined Agents of America LLC (CAA), to access new markets and springboard his agency to the next revenue category. After healthy organic growth in the early part of the decade, Richmond's agency had flatlined for a few years at the $7 million premium mark.

Competing against larger agencies, big brokers and the Internet, he strategically joined the CAA agency partnership to raise his competitive edge while retaining the independence and cultural integrity of his family business. 

For this Norton, Kan.-based agency, CAA membership meant geographically spreading the risk of weather-related loss, such as wind and hail, along with the ability to offer a diversification of risk management tools. CAA provided Richmond's agency customers more products, and the economies of scale that meant deeper relationship with carriers, vendors, and VIP response of claims, quotes and even training for his staff. And it worked. Bridges exceeded its organic growth goals and doubled its agency's premium and revenue numbers in six years.