A winning business model, a corporate culture focused on employee ownership and a commitment to “doing things right” in their communities helped earn Denver-based IMA Financial Group this year's overall “Commercial Agency of the Year” award.

In addition, IMA was given two specific category awards–for sales and marketing, as well as customer service (see sidebars)–as part of the 2010 Commercial Agency Awards for Excellence program, run jointly for the first time by National Underwriter and American Agent & Broker.

With roots in Wichita and an early recognition of the importance of claims excellence and loss control services, IMA has grown from the eighth-largest brokerage in Wichita to a well-oiled machine with additional offices in Denver, Kansas City and Dallas, clients in all 50 states, more than 400 employees, and commercial lines premium volume of over $620 million for 2009.