In episode two of The Accel Advantage podcast, we’re chatting with Ethan Thompson, Director of Sales; Josh Budke, President of Benefits and Financial Services; and Corey Rekers, President of Property & Casualty Insurance, to unpack the real-world impact of The Accel Advantage, which is what you gain from working with us. The conversation highlights four powerful differentiators that define who we are and why it matters to our clients.
Regional Powerhouse with Local Service
As Josh Budke explains, The Accel Group is uniquely positioned as a regional powerhouse that still delivers personal, relationship-based service.
“We combine the capabilities of a national brokerage with the relationship-driven focus of a local agency.”
Our scale provides leverage with insurance carriers, access to top-tier technology, and a wide range of services. Our independence and local presence means we remain agile and responsive. This balance of size and service is rare in today’s industry landscape.
Specialization That Drives Real Results
In many agencies, one advisor may juggle a client’s entire portfolio—from personal insurance to commercial to wealth advisory.
“Specialization isn’t just a buzzword. It’s our strategy for delivering real value to clients.” – Ethan Thompson
Our team is built of subject matter experts. Advisors are often assigned to a single discipline, such as construction, agribusiness, real estate and hospitality, transportation, etc., which allows clients to benefit from deep industry knowledge.
Diverse Product Offerings
At the same time, we are still a completely full-service agency.
Corey Rekers shares how The Accel Group continues to support clients across all lines, whether it be commercial, personal, agribusiness, employee benefits, and/or financial services, with intentional, tailored expertise.
Whether it’s an agribusiness advisor who also farms or a business insurance advisor who used to be a construction project manager – they are or have been immersed in your world.
Independent and Privately Held By Design
The Accel Group remains proudly privately owned and Midwest-based.
“We’re not chasing Wall Street approval. We’re building something real—for the people we serve and the team we work with.” – Ethan Thompson
Our ownership spans generations, from age 27 to 60, and is intentionally structured to support long-term succession and internal perpetuation. That means our decisions are made for our clients and employees, not external shareholders.
Whether you’ve been with us for years or are just learning about The Accel Group, we hope you’ll take a moment to hear the full conversation in Episode 2. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform today.
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