Frank Poppie

“Glenn Horton and I were a couple of novice producers in 1982 when we bought this agency from his father and uncle,” said Frank Poppie, founding principal and Senior Vice President of The Horton Group. “Many things have changed since then, but some have stayed exactly the same. It has been exciting to watch this organization grow throughout the years.”

One of Frank's first clients was a national trucking account he signed as the result of a cold call. That client doubled the size of the agency, which had just 11 employees in a single office at the time. Now one of the largest privately held agencies in the Midwest, The Horton Group features nine offices in three states.

Frank attributes the agency's growth to its focus on niche markets. “You can't be a jack-of-all-trades anymore, which is why this agency has evolved into a group of specialists” Frank explained. “The people we have working for us now are amazing at what they do. Continued reinvestment in our claims advocacy, plus specialized legal and safety services is really what sets us apart from other agencies.”

Frank has found his niche to be in construction, transportation and logistics, although he enjoys the challenge of working with businesses and industries of all kinds. While there is no single way to keep a client, Frank maintains that his simple approach has been instrumental in being a good advocate.