SAVANNAH, Ga. (September 23, 2010) - – Atlanta-based Corporate Insurance Services, Inc. (CIS) is merging with Seacrest Partners, Inc., an independently owned insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm with offices in Savannah and Atlanta.

Established in 1974, CIS provides property-casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting services to middle-market and large commercial clients throughout the Southeast. The 36 year old firm also serves as the personal insurance advisor to affluent individuals and families in the Atlanta area.

CIS founder and president, Oliver “Wink” Meadows, said the merger is the culmination of extensive research on his part.“We’ve been looking for a partner that fits with our deep commitment to client service for quite some time. Finding another independent agency with compatible values and business perspectives was important to us. After evaluating different options, it was clear that Seacrest Partners is the perfect fit, both for our clients and staff,” stated Mr. Meadows.

Seacrest Partners was established in Savannah, Georgia in 2006 when a group of experienced insurance professionals came together to form a “boutique” brokerage firm offering customized insurance brokerage and benefits consulting services. In less than four years, Seacrest Partners has become the dominant insurance broker in the Savannah market and represents a number of the area’s largest employers.

In 2009, Seacrest expanded to Atlanta when the firm recruited industry veterans Frank Beard and Christey Hunt, and two former NFL professional athletes, Matt Stinchcomb and David Greene, to anchor its Atlanta operations.

In recent months, two additional industry veterans, Charles Gehrke and Dionne White, joined Seacrest’s growing Atlanta office. With the addition of the CIS staff, Seacrest’s Atlanta team now consists of ten insurance professionals.

David Paddison, Seacrest Partners’ president and one of the firm’s seven founding partners, is excited with Meadows’ decision to join Seacrest.

“Wink Meadows is a well known and highly respected member of Atlanta’s business community. His team fits our strategy of adding talented technical resources and client-focused insurance professionals. This is an ideal situation for everyone involved,” stated the 46 year old Paddison.

Meadows has been in the Atlanta insurance and business community since the mid-80s. An avid supporter of his local community, Mr. Meadows has served as a board member on a number of prominent civic and social service organizations.

A graduate of University of Miami, Mr. Meadows began his insurance career in 1967 when he joined Connecticut General as an employee benefits consultant. While at Connecticut General, he established a lasting friendship with fellow employee, Lewis H. Oden. Mr. Meadows was pleased to discover Oden serves as the chairman of Seacrest Partners.

“Lew and I worked the Florida market together in the late 1960s and early 70s and have stayed in touch over the years. When I found out Lew was chairman of Seacrest Partners, I knew the firm would be good culture fit for CIS.”

Mr. Meadows left Connecticut General in 1974 to form CIS. The firm was initially located in Coral Gables, FL and expanded to the Atlanta market in 1985. CIS relocated to Atlanta in 1989.

Seacrest Partners’ founders formed their company with the vision of creating an organization where employees want to come to work, insurance companies want to do business and clients are served in a high tech, high touch environment. So far, the young firm is achieving its vision: Seacrest now employs 34 insurance professionals; insurance companies enjoy the transparent relationship based culture, and client growth and retention are above industry norms.

“When a company gets too big, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s important,” said Paddison. “Our goal is to remain close to our clients and grow in a responsible manner. This allows us to enhance our service offerings to clients, provide our employees with exciting career opportunities and build strong relationships with our insurance company partners.”

CIS will begin operating as an integral part of Seacrest Partners effective January 2011. The firm is currently in the process of combining its office and staff with Seacrest’s Atlanta operations in The Piedmont Center in north Atlanta.

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