About Us
Who are we?
SIA of the Great Lakes
SIA of the Great Lakes is a member of SIAA, the largest partnering independent insurance agency alliance in the nation. With over 140 members spanning across Wisconsin and Minnesota, we represent over $300 million in total member premiums annually.
Channeling the independent Spirit
We provide access to insurance carriers and programs otherwise unavailable to agents, allowing our member agencies to compete with any size agency in a variety of personal and commercial markets. Our structure enables our member agents to earn the best commission, excess compensation and profit sharing in the marketplace year in and year out.
Membership with SIA of the Great Lakes affords much more than access to top-rated insurance companies. Together with SIAA, SIA of the Great Lakes provides the total solution – a range of agency development and marketing support that enables our member agencies to grow their business and increase their value while retaining their independence. As an independent agent with SIA of the Great Lakes your opportunities are endless.
Whether you are an established agency or thinking about opening a new agency, partnering with SIA of the Great Lakes will allow you to maintain your independence and become instantly BIG!
WHERE ARE WE?
SIA of the Great Lakes’ regional network includes the entire state of Wisconsin as well as the lower 2/3rds of Minnesota.
Our main office is located in Green Bay, WI with field teams strategically located throughout both Wisconsin and Minnesota consulting and advising current and prospective members on how to profitably grow their agencies.
If you are interested in learning more about SIA of the Great Lakes, contact us to schedule a visit in your agency with one of our field representatives, or in our home office overlooking Lambeau Field.
OUr History
The concept of SIAA began in 1983 with the creation of the Satellite Agency Network Group (SAN Group). Local independent agencies kept running into roadblocks because of their size, low commissions and lack of access to competitive companies. The idea was to create a Master Agency to help grow these agencies’ reach and profitability.
In 1995, after SAN Group proved it could give local agencies a larger reach, and with encouragement from a group of insurance executives and consultants, a new national business model based on the success of the SAN Group was created – SIAA.
In 1993, Tom Harrison left his current position as a producer for a large agency and started Bayland Insurance Group. Soon after, his partner, Ron Marler joined him. Together they built Bayland into a large striving independent insurance agency.
Tom was approached by Tom Barrett, President of SIAA MidAmerica, to start a Master Agency in Northeast Wisconsin. Tom was currently serving as the President of the Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin and was preparing to join another “group”.
Tom Barrett convinced Tom Harrison to come to an SIAA meeting for the Master Agencies in Phoenix to see what this organization was about. After attending only one meeting, Tom Harrison’s response was “I have never been to a meeting with that many insurance agents and I heard no complaining. They must be doing something right.”
In 2000, SIA of the Great Lakes was started by Tom Harrison and Ron Marler operating in Northeast Wisconsin. Today SIA of the Great Lakes operates in both Wisconsin and Minnesota with over 140+ agency members representing over $300 million in membership agency premium annually.