Placing You First Insurance Podcast by CRC Group
The Placing You First Podcast spans a diverse spectrum of insurance industry issues to keep you and your clients informed.
Placing You First Insurance Podcast by CRC Group
The CRC Journey: From Solid to Relentless Powerhouse
Six years and 100 episodes later, the Placing You First podcast welcomes back Neil Kessler, CEO of CRC Specialty and Benefits, who was our very first guest in 2019. What a journey it's been! The transformation runs deep—while our collaborative, hustle-driven culture remains intact, we've become an entirely different organization.
Perhaps most significant has been our shift to an ownership mindset. Looking ahead, our focus intensifies on specialization, data utilization, and cross-business collaboration. Despite our two-decade history, we operate with startup energy—constantly evolving, building something special where everyone shapes our future. Follow the Placing You First podcast to join us on this journey and discover what's next for CRC!
Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace.
Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!
Welcome to a very special episode of Placing you First. Today we're celebrating our 100th episode, and we couldn't think of a better way to mark the occasion than by bringing back our very first guest from 2019, neal Kessler, now CEO of CRC Specialty and Benefits.
Amanda Knight:That's right. Neal helped launch this podcast six years ago and so much has changed since then for CRC, for the industry and for Neil himself. So today we're going to reflect on that journey, the challenges we faced and the growth we've achieved, and talk about what the future looks like from Neil's point of view going forward.
Scott Gordon:So, from navigating M&A and pandemics to building a stronger, smarter organization, we're diving into it all.
Amanda Knight:This is the Placing you First podcast from CRC Group.
Scott Gordon:This podcast features news and insights from a vast knowledge base of over 5,100 associates.
Amanda Knight:Who write more than $35 billion in premium annually. Plus, we give you the latest information on what's happening at CRC this this.
Scott Gordon:This is the Placing you First podcast and now the hosts of the podcast Amanda Knight and Scott Gordon. Neil, welcome back to the show.
Neil Kessler:Well, thanks guys. Scott, amanda, it is great to be with you guys. It's really. It's really hard to believe it's been 100 episodes. I mean six years. A lot has happened in these last six years.
Amanda Knight:It really has. So let's rewind just a little bit. Let's go all the way back to 2019. If you could give us one word or phrase to describe CRC, then the CRC of 2019, and one word to describe us now, what do you think you'd pick?
Neil Kessler:Yeah, good question. I think then probably a solid, now probably relentless. You know, back in 19, we were a strong business, solid foundation, great people, great client outcomes. But you know, today we've really evolved into a relentless growth machine. There's simply more urgency, more agility, more of an ownership type culture. We're not just reacting to the market. We're really shaping it today.
Scott Gordon:And this might be a little bit redundant there, but what's something that's changed dramatically and something that's probably stayed the same in a good way since 2019? Yeah, since then.
Neil Kessler:I'd say what's changed is probably our scale and independence, you know, unaffiliated, independent, wholesale partner, and you know those are two things that have changed a lot for us. And what stayed the same is our culture. I'd say you know the, you know we before me kind of mindset, the drive to win for our clients, the willingness to hustle, that hasn't changed one bit.
Scott Gordon:Well, and this podcast is a little different because normally we talk about the industry in general and topics and this is all about us, which is kind of interesting to talk about because we've all been with the company for a little while now. We've seen these changes. So CRC has seen its fair change of curveballs over the years COVID, rapid expansion, market shifts so what stands out to you as one of the biggest challenges that CRC has navigated?
Neil Kessler:Yeah. I'd say it's the pandemic, probably no question. You know, shortly after we recorded that episode, things changed and we had to completely rethink how we worked, how we sold, how we collaborated, and we had to do it all overnight. But it also showed how adaptable and resilient our people are and I think we came out of it stronger, more connected and more creative than ever.
Amanda Knight:I know the pandemic, looking back, was what five years ago now is when it started and for some people and for a lot of folks, it feels like just yesterday. But, pandemic or otherwise, how do you feel like Team CRC, our people and our culture really helped navigate and get through challenges like the pandemic?
Neil Kessler:Two things to me grit and teamwork. Everyone leaned in. No one waited around to be told what to do and across all of our businesses, people rallied and shared a mission to serve our clients, no matter what. It was a total team effort and I think that's what helped us navigate that challenge and will help us navigate challenges to come.
Amanda Knight:Looking back, what are you most proud of as a leader for CRC over these last five or six years?
Neil Kessler:Yeah, great question. There's a lot to be proud of, and I'd say, probably the thing I'm the most proud of is really, you know, something that we're still working on and still doing, which is, you know, shifting our business, our mindset, our culture, from kind of a bank employee to kind of an independent ownership model, and for us, that culture shift is real and it's powerful. I mean, I believe that when people start thinking like owners, when they think like owners about growth, about ROI, about driving our business forward, everything changes and I think our customers can really feel the difference. Owners move faster, owners take more accountability. They look for ways to add even additional value every day, and that's really who we are now.
Scott Gordon:And speaking to CRC's people, who are a huge part of our story, is there any moment or achievement that really speaks to you about the strength of our team?
Neil Kessler:Yeah, I think what speaks to me about our people is our producer recruiting streak that we're on. We're adding talent at a record pace and since 19, 2019, since we had this podcast we've added almost 500 new producers. Wow, yeah, that takes vision, leadership, trust, a whole lot of follow through. You know we're really focused on building the next generation of CRC. It's. What's even better about that, in my opinion, is that most of those folks had options. Right, they could have gone to one of our competitors, but they chose to come to us and I think that really says something. And for our customers, all of this means you know more options, you know more producers, means more talent, more creativity, more ways to help as we grow. It really helps our clients win. It's a real win, win.
Scott Gordon:I always use on the podcast. I always use the baseball metaphor. I say we've got a really deep bench at CRC really deep and they're all really good at what they do. So let's shift gears to what's next. What do you think is next for CRC?
Neil Kessler:Yeah, to me, next is more specialization, more data, more kind of like cross-business collaboration. I think the future for us is about being faster and smarter and more integrated, and you know we want to be the partner of choice for our agents and for our markets. You know I'm thinking a lot about tech and AI these days. Yes, some of it's overhyped, but we've got some pilots underway that are showing real promise, and those tools we build are going to help us, you know, quote faster, uncover and deliver insights sooner and really bring solutions to the market with an even greater speed. You know we've been ahead of the curve when it comes to data since we started capturing exposure and loss information back in 2016. And yeah, that was before it was trendy and before our competitors kind of joined the party, and now we've got more and even better data. So the next step is how do we continue to evolve to help our clients win in new, different and bigger ways?
Amanda Knight:Well, it sounds like we've got a lot of work to do. We've got some things in the pipeline, we've got a lot we need to do, but along with that work comes excitement, right. So what excites you the most about this next chapter of growth, now that we are independent, now that we are a pure play wholesaler?
Neil Kessler:Yeah, you know. For me, Amanda, what excites me most is that the playbook isn't written yet. That's what's so exciting. I mean, look back six years ago. Who would have thought that this is where we'd be today?
Amanda Knight:Right.
Neil Kessler:You know we're really building something special and everyone at the company has a chance to shape it. Our story's kind of just getting started. You know we're a company, 20-year-old plus, startup in a lot of ways, and you know so much has changed in six years, so much has changed in these last 18 months.
Amanda Knight:Right.
Neil Kessler:I just can't wait to see kind of what's next for us. That's what's most exciting to me.
Amanda Knight:Absolutely Well. We're nearing everyone's favorite part of every episode rapid fire. It's a lightning round where we ask a few quick questions and you answer with whatever pops into your head first. So are you ready?
Neil Kessler:I'm ready, let's do it.
Amanda Knight:All right. What is one thing? Something about your background that most people probably don't know.
Neil Kessler:Most people probably don't know that I was a TV news reporter. You know not a weatherman.
Neil Kessler:Not a weatherman, that's a false rumor. But I was a TV news reporter. It was a long time ago, right when I was out of college, but it did help me a lot with communication and thinking on my feet. I then went to law school and worked in politics and you know I've had really a lot of. My career has taught me about how to build arguments and think critically. So you know it's a strange combo now that I'm in insurance but it works.
Scott Gordon:That explains a lot in a good way. That that that does explain a lot? Sure does, and I can see that that tracks Neil. So your next question is what's something fun you want to check off your bucket list, travel destination or an experience, a weird food?
Neil Kessler:You know, for me, I've never been to Asia or Australia. I'd love to go there. Maybe a family trip over there, a mix of some adventure and downtime. I hear those are great places to visit.
Amanda Knight:I don't know. I did see this could have been fake news, but I feel like I saw that Australia has something called spider season and I'm not sure that makes Australia for me. I think Australia might have to leave the bucket list.
Neil Kessler:Just go to a different part of the year, not during spider season. I'm sure you can figure out when that is.
Amanda Knight:I'm pretty sure all the world's deadliest spider snakes, whatever live in Australia. So you go and you let me know how it is.
Neil Kessler:Will do.
Amanda Knight:Okay, we've saved the best question for last. We know you travel a lot in your role for CRC. I mean that may be an understatement actually, what's the weirdest thing you've ever seen in an airport or the weirdest experience you've ever had on an airplane or in an airport?
Neil Kessler:Well, honestly and in a good way, I can tell you that most of it for the last 20 years and I'm on the road every week in multiple cities most of it has been pretty boring. I really haven't had anyone get kicked off a flight or do something crazy midair. You've seen the people that strip naked on the plane or, you know, get in a big fight. I haven't seen much of that. I've seen some celebrities over the years, but you know, probably the best story is one time I took the wrong suitcase. So you know, on Southwest, you know the plane stops and people get on, people get off right and then the plane goes on.
Neil Kessler:Well, the plane stopped in Dallas and I got off the flight. I grabbed the suitcase at the top. I thought it was mine. Turns out it wasn't. It was a different person's suitcase. That person was actually just going on a trip. I was just getting home for a trip. So he got to where he was going to open up his suitcase. I don't think he was very happy. Oh no, yeah, it was a bit awkward but we sorted it out. I sent him some money for his troubles and he was a good sport about it all. But I know they say all the time two bags all look alike. Check the tag.
Amanda Knight:That is a good lesson in that that's a good piece of advice for all of us.
Scott Gordon:Wow, yeah, were you short your materials you needed? I'm sure you were put out. I was coming home. Oh, you were like For me.
Neil Kessler:I didn't really care, but the guy going out wasn't loving it. We were definitely different sizes, that's funny, oh my God.
Scott Gordon:Well, thanks for coming on, Neil. This was great. We have had you on for the first and now the 100th episode. I feel like we've come full circle.
Neil Kessler:Hard to believe.
Amanda Knight:And thank you to everyone who's listened to the Placing you First podcast over these 100 episodes. We're so proud of how far we've come and even more excited for what's ahead.
Scott Gordon:And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow or subscribe wherever you listen, and stay tuned for more stories, insights and inspiration from across CRC, and we'll see you next time.
