Partner Spotlight – JHA Risk Management
Jul 5, 2023
Reid Rhodes likens the insurance business to his lifelong love of sports. “I’ve always enjoyed the team aspect of sports,” he says. “Our agency functions the same way – we’re competitive, sure, but we interact well and help each other achieve new goals. We want to win.”
He and his teammates Paul Bauer and Thomas Rhodes are the newest members of the Oakbridge team and they’re out to raise the bar on proactive insurance services in Eastern North Carolina.
Reid and Paul have worked together in Rocky Mount since 1993. In 2001, the pair formed a partnership with JHA Risk Management and have been evolving the business ever since. Thomas, Reid’s son, joined the team in 2014. “All three of us are Rocky Mount natives. Our roots are deep here. We’re involved in every aspect of this community,” Reid says.
That sense of community and a deep appreciation for teamwork create a people-first culture that’s important to the three principles. “We put our clients first, our carriers second and ourselves third,” Paul says. “Relationships matter.” He points out that Oakbridge’s culture and reputation for outstanding service were key factors in undertaking this new partnership.
Thomas agrees. “Insurance is changing. For many big companies, it’s strictly transactional. They’re faceless. They offer the cheapest coverage possible without looking at the client’s specific needs. We’re different. We put our neighbors first. We know their businesses and can develop risk management solutions and customized coverage that exceeds the mass marketers in terms of value and service.”
JHA Risk Management provides a mix of commercial and personal lines to clients across the country. “Our partnership with Oakbridge is going to help us accelerate growth,” Thomas adds. “Their back-office resources will free us up to concentrate on service and focus on organic growth. This move allows us to scale our business quickly.”
The team brings expertise in risk management solutions, surety bonds, employee benefits and construction and educational coverage. “We’re really excited to tap into Oakbridge’s experts, too,” Thomas says. “We can better serve our clients with an expanded range of expertise including categories we haven’t historically focused on.”
JHA’s approach to providing the highest value solutions dovetails with Oakbridge’s business model. “Obviously, we’ve been big proponents of risk management for some time. For example, we’ve helped our contractor clients effectively transfer a good deal of risk to their subcontractors, where it should be. We’ve led the way in this respect and it’s fun to see the industry coming around,” Paul says.
Reid echoes his sentiment: “We really help our clients get more out of the risk management relationship. We’re always teaching the value in that.”
“This really gives us an advantage,” Thomas remarks. “I don’t want to lose business to anyone. Oakbridge allows us to be experts in so many areas. We’re able now to compete at a whole new level.”
For the three North Carolina natives, teamwork and a healthy dose of friendly competition are changing the way they serve the Rocky Mount area and beyond. “We love it here and this partnership deepens our investment in the community, giving us the tools we need to succeed,” Reid adds. “It’s a winning game plan!”