About Agency BrokerageMichael Mensch2022-09-28T20:51:30-04:00

Meet our Team

Michael Mensch

CEO
John Davies

Partner
Lou Vescio

Partner
Larry Adkins

SVP of Business Development
Ria Shoesmith

Office Administrator
Liz Singh

Director of Client Engagement
Brandon Portman

Business Analyst
Brenda Sali

M&A Advisor
Caitlin Scalzi, BCA

Senior Analyst
Erica Lewandowski

M&A Advisor
Julianne Geary

Analyst
Sean Brelsford

M&A Advisor
Paul Ihrig

M&A Advisor

Members of

COMPLETED TRANSACTIONS

Smart Choice Partners
has acquired
Atlantic Insurance Advisors

Agency Brokerage Consultants served as advisor to Atlantic Insurance Advisors
Arthur J. Gallagher
has acquired
Fraser Yacht Insurance Services

Agency Brokerage Consultants served as advisor to Fraser Yacht Insurance Services
All Risk, LTD
has acquired
Specialty Risk Underwriters

Agency Brokerage Consultants served as advisor to Specialty Risk Underwriters
Hub International
has acquired
Farr Insurance Group

Agency Brokerage Consultants served as advisor to Farr Insurance Group
AssuredPartners Aerospace
has acquired
Hardy Aviation Insurance

Agency Brokerage Consultants served as advisor to Hardy Aviation Insurance
Sihle Insurance Group
has acquired
Webster Insurance Agency

Agency Brokerage Consultants served as advisor to Webster Insurance Agency
Risk Cooperative
has acquired
Benefits Resources

Agency Brokerage Consultants served as advisor to Benefits Resources
PCF Insurance Services of the West
has acquired
Leonard H. Franks, CPCU & Associates

Agency Brokerage Consultants served as advisor to Leonard H. Franks, CPCU & Associates
Foundation Risk Partners
has acquired
Allen & Smith Insurance, Inc. DBA St. Johns Insurance Agency

Agency Brokerage Consultants served as advisor to Allen & Smith Insurance, Inc. DBA St. Johns Insurance Agency
Higginbotham
has acquired
Extraco Banks - Commercial Insurance Division

Agency Brokerage Consultants served as advisor to Extraco Banks - Commercial Insurance Division

Michael Mensch

CEO

CERTIFIED BUSINESS INTERMEDIARY

Mike is the CEO and a founding partner of Agency Brokerage Consultants. He is a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) and a certified Merger and Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI). He studied chemical engineering in college and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida Tech and a Master of Science degree from Virginia Tech, continuing through becoming a Ph.D. candidate. He holds a real estate broker license and property & casualty and life & health agent licenses in Florida.

In 2012, he helped Oak Street Funding launch a highly successful webinar series on various educational topics for insurance agency principals and remains their top presenter with topics drawing nearly 400 registered participants at one time. He also contributed numerous articles to Oak Street’s “Bridge” publication since 2008 and regularly publishes articles on ABC’s blog. Mike has been a guest on a variety of industry podcasts including the “Connected Insurance” podcast with host Michael Jans, “Spot on Insurance” podcast with hosts Ted and Arlene Tavares, “Fix My Agency” podcast with Dr. Billy Williams, and “Agents Growth Academy” podcast with host Jim Schubert. He was also a featured panelist on an “Acquisition Bootcamp” series created by Live Oak Bank.

Mike has been involved in more 220 M&A transaction and more than 1,250 valuations for insurance agencies and brokerages around the country, making him one of the most experienced dealmakers in the insurance industry. For more than a decade, he has won numerous awards within the industry including the “Chairman’s Circle Award”, “Deal Maker Award” and “CBI of the Year” awards from the International Business Brokers’ Association (IBBA). In 2017, he was named to the prestigious National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts “40 Under Forty” list of brightest emerging leaders in the business valuation profession. In 2020, he led the ABC team to winning M&A Source’s “Top Firm” award and to ranking in the top 3 sellside advisors in the insurance industry according to S&P Global.

Michael lives in Melbourne, FL with his wife, Erica, and their three young children.

John Davies

Partner

CPA (inactive), CPCU, CLU and ChFC.

John is the Chairman and Founder of The Merrymeeting Group (“MMG”), a Cleveland based family office, and is a partner of Agency Brokerage Consultants. He has more than 35 years of insurance industry experience and before he founded MMG, John was the President of several insurance companies and a private equity group.

During the past 20 years, John has been the CEO of MMG and MMG has owned multiple insurance agencies, several large insurance claims administrators, multiple franchisors, a broker dealer and an insurance software company. MMG currently owns a dozen companies including Sunbelt Business Brokers, the largest business broker in the US, and Ally, the association management company that manages the International Business Brokers Association.

John’s professional credentials include being a CPA (inactive), CPCU, CLU and ChFC. He lives with his wife, Allyn, in Cleveland, OH.

Lou Vescio

Partner

CERTIFIED BUSINESS INTERMEDIARY

MERGER & ACQUISITION MASTER INTERMEDIARY

Lou Vescio is a managing and founding partner of Agency Brokerage Consultants. He is a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI), a certified Merger and Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI), and a licensed real estate broker in Florida. Lou also serves on the board of directors for the International Business Brokers’ Association (IBBA) and was elected its Chairman for 2017.

Lou graduated college and joined the U.S. Air Force as an aviator where he flew both F-4 and C-141 aircraft, including a combat tour in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam conflict. Upon separation from active duty, Lou transferred to the reserve forces and continued flying for the Air National Guard until his retirement in 1994.

In 1977, Lou joined Texas Instruments and worked in a variety of managerial positions to include manufacturing engineering, production control, operations analysis, and product marketing. When he left the company in 1992, he was a Marketing Director for the Defense Electronics Group. Lou and his wife, Maggie, then started a franchised computer training business and grew it to one of the top five franchises in the country within the first year. He later co-founded a high-end computer training business, which grew to $11.5 million in sales in six years. Lou and his partners sold both businesses by 2001.

After a brief retirement, Lou began employment with Sunbelt Business Brokers in Florida, quickly recognized as one of the “top fifty” brokers in the Sunbelt Business Brokerage Network, which comprised more than 300 offices throughout the U.S. and 25 foreign countries. Lou later founded Agency Brokerage Consultants, which specializes in insurance agency/broker M&A transactions. He helped grow the firm to become ranked as one of the top insurance M&A firms in the country.

Lou’s formal education includes a BS in Mathematics from Clarion State College and attending graduate schools at Webster College and the University of Dallas with specialties in Business Administration and Economics. Lou teaches professional courses and conducts seminars for business intermediaries, and has been quoted in numerous publications to include the New York Times.

Lou and his wife, Maggie, have two grown sons and live in Indialantic, FL.

Larry Adkins

SVP of Business Development

Larry Adkins is the Senior Vice President of Business Development for Agency Brokerage Consultants. He has spent the last 30 years working in the financial services and P&C insurance industry. He has the unique experience of having been a buyer or seller in more than 50 agency acquisitions between 2015 and 2022.

Larry started his career with Mutual of New York in the 1990s where he was a sales representative and sales team leader, winning awards for “Rookie of the Year” and “Top Financial Advisor”. Larry was promoted to Managing Director, overseeing 120 financial advisors. His next role was Regional Vice President for MetLife, managing the Southeast region, with over 2,000 sales associates producing more than $200M of revenue for the company.

Larry left MetLife in late 2014 to start a P&C agency, which he and a partner grew to $6M in revenue through two dozen acquisitions. In 2019, Larry and his partner started another agency in conjunction with a large network, which they again grew to $6M in revenue through another two dozen acquisitions. The partners sold their agency in 2021 through Agency Brokerage Consultants and their ownership interests in the joint venture in 2022.

He is a licensed life & health agent, P&C agent, and Real Estate Sales Associate in the state of Florida. He is also a Chartered Financial Consultant and holds FINRA licenses 6, 63, 51, 65, 7, and 24. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Central Florida in 1991.

Larry has two daughters and enjoys golf, exercise, fishing, outdoors, travel and learning. He has a passion for self-improvement and truly believes “If you can dream it, you can do it!”

Ria Shoesmith

Office Administrator

Ria started as an intern in 2021 and joined us this year as a full-time Office Administrator. She lives a dual life, working for ABC during the day and taking college classes at night. Ria has been enjoying learning about business valuations and mergers and acquisitions. Ms. Shoesmith graduated with her AA in General Studies from Eastern Florida State College and is continuing her studies in Business Administration at The University of Florida.

Liz Singh

Director of Client Engagement

Liz brings more than 10 years of progressive experience in marketing, communications, and business development to the ABC team. As Director of Client Engagement, she is focused on improving the firm’s educational content and increasing communication with the industry. Ms. Singh graduated with Highest Distinction from The University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Brandon Portman

Business Analyst

Brandon supports Agency Brokerage Consultants in accounting and has been involved in a variety of roles including marketing, customer support, and business analytics. He graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Business Administration. Before joining the team, he spent over 5 years in accounting in the tech and manufacturing industries, as well in public accounting as an auditor. Brandon is a Certified Main Street Business Broker and is working towards the Business Certified Appraiser designation.

Brenda Sali

M&A Advisor

CERTIFIED BUSINESS INTERMEDIARY

Brenda Sali is an M&A Advisor with Agency Brokerage Consultants. She brings over 30 years of business experience to the firm but spent the last few years advising clients on buying and selling businesses. She previously bought, built, and eventually sold a business for a substantial profit, which provides her with a unique insight and knowledge for serving clients today.

Brenda is a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) through the International Business Brokers’ Association (IBBA). She also holds a real estate sales associate license in Florida and is working towards the Merger and Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI) designation and Business Certified Appraiser (BCA) designation. She is active in numerous associations and organizations, including being an active Rotarian. In 2018, she won the IBBA’s “Chairman’s Circle” award for sales. Brenda holds a bachelor’s degree in Business with a major in Finance and Marketing.

Brenda lives in Melbourne, FL with her husband.

Caitlin Scalzi, BCA

Senior Analyst

BUSINESS CERTIFIED APPRAISER

Caitlin Scalizi is a business valuator with Agency Brokerage Consultants. She graduated Cum Laude from West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Anthropology and completed a semester abroad traveling through thirteen different countries. Caitlin joined the firm in 2017, shortly after graduating college. She is the team’s primary analyst and has assisted with over 350 valuations and due diligence engagements for clients. She works directly with some of the nation’s top SBA lenders on valuation assignment in support of lending to insurance agencies and brokerages.

Caitlin is a Business Certified Appraiser (BCA) through the International Society of Business Appraisers (ISBA), of which she is an active member. Being involved in most client engagements, she is a valuable member of the team and has gained significant experience in the M&A process.

Caitlin lives in Indian Harbour Beach, FL.

Erica Lewandowski

M&A Advisor

CERTIFIED BUSINESS INTERMEDIARY

Erica Lewandowski is an M&A advisor and Relationship Manager with Agency Brokerage Consultants. Erica graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida State University with a BS in Psychology. Before joining the firm, Erica lived abroad with her family in France for five years. She spent the 12 years prior to that in banking and financial services working for three of the top institutions in the world as both an analyst and relationship developer.

Erica is a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) through the International Business Brokers’ Association (IBBA). She is an active member of the IBBA, Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA), and Latin American Association of Insurance Agents (LAAIA).

Erica lives in Indialantic, FL with her husband and two children.

Julianne Geary

Analyst

BUSINESS VALUATOR

Jules Geary is a business valuator with Agency Brokerage Consultants. She graduated from Florida State University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, and a minor in Statistics and Elementary Education. Jules joined the firm in 2020, shortly after moving from Jacksonville, FL., where she grew up.

Jules is a Business Certified Appraiser (BCA) through the International Society of Business Appraisers (ISBA), of which she is an active member. Being involved in most client engagements, she is a valuable member of the team and has gained significant experience in the M&A process.

Jules lives in Indian Harbour Beach, FL.

Sean Brelsford

M&A Advisor

CERTIFIED BUSINESS INTERMEDIARY

Sean Brelsford is an M&A advisor with our firm. He completed the majority of his undergraduate studies at Kent State University in Ohio and graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. Sean started an IT business while still in college and worked in banking and real estate before joining the firm. Sean gained significant experience in agency valuations and transaction management over the last five years in the company’s fast-paced environment.

Sean is a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) through the International Business Brokers’ Association (IBBA). He also holds a real estate sales associate license in Florida and is working towards earning the Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI) designation from M&A Source. In 2016, Sean won the Outstanding Producer Award from the IBBA. In 2017, Sean closed 12 transactions and earned both the Dealmaker and Chairman’s Circle awards from the IBBA. Over the last few years, Sean has become one of the top producing, younger members of the IBBA. Sean is an active member of the IBBA, Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA), and Latin American Association of Insurance Agents (LAAIA).

Sean lives in Indian Harbour Beach, FL.

Paul Ihrig

M&A Advisor

Paul Ihrig is an M&A Advisor with Agency Brokerage Consultants. He spent 32 years in banking, serving as a Senior Vice President and a Senior Loan Officer, and the last 5 years working for the largest business brokerage franchise. His focus throughout his career has been serving the needs of the small business community.

Paul is a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) through the International Business Broker’s Association (IBBA) and earned the Certified Merger & Acquisition Professional designation from Coles College at Kennesaw State University. He has a B.S. degree in Business Administration with a Finance concentration from The State University of New York and also completed the requirements for a B.A. Degree in Economics with a Money & Banking concentration.