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From the very beginning, IOA’s leadership formed the company not only to provide its clients with expert insurance and risk management services but also to serve the community in meaningful ways.

Insurance Office of America (IOA), dba IOA Insurance Services in California, is a full-service insurance agency founded in 1988 by John Ritenour and Valli Ritenour. Today, IOA is led by Chairman and CEO Heath Ritenour, and it is one of the fastest-growing independent agencies in the United States. IOA is ranked 18th on Insurance Journal’s 2021 Top 100 Independent Property/Casualty Agencies report and 28th on Business Insurance’s 2021 100 Largest Brokers of U.S. Business list. IOA was named a National Underwriter Agency of the Year. Headquartered in Longwood, Florida, part of the greater Orlando community, IOA has more than 1,300 associates located in over 60 office locations in the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

The cornerstone of our foundation will be our faith, our families, and the fun of living our lifework.

Our Numbers speak for themselves

Our History

  • 1988

    Founded

    Insurance Office of Florida was founded in January 1988 by John and Valli Ritenour.

  • 1989

    3,000-Square-Foot Building

    IOF started with three employees in Apopka, Florida, with a 1,500 sq.ft. of office space, and by 1989, it had enough business to occupy the entire building at 3,000 sq.ft.

  • 1990

    Montgomery Road Office

    In July 1990, IOF moved into a one-third of the Montgomery Road, Altamonte, office building, and by October 1991, it occupied 100% of the 6,000 sq.ft. of available office space.

  • 1991

    50 Percent Growth

    In 1991, IOA experienced 50% growth and had three teams in one office that focused on commercial, personal, and life and health insurance.

  • 1991

    $750,000 in Revenue

    In 1991, IOF earned nearly $750,000 in revenue and had tripled its numbers since its inaugural year.

  • 1992

    $1 Million in Annual Revenue

    In September 1992, IOF’s first three quarters were great, and it passed the previous year by earning $1 million in annual revenue for the first time.

  • 1993

    Recruitment

    In 1993, IOF recruited more entrepreneurial independent agents and employees to join the quickly growing insurance agency.

  • 1993

    Nearly $2 Million in Revenue

    In December 1993, IOF had another great year and reached just under $2 million in annual revenue.

  • 1994

    20 Employees

    In February of 1994 IOF had grown to employ more than 20 people, which shared office space in close (but cozy) quarters.

  • 1995

    Corporate 5k

    In 1995 the inaugural Corporate 5k race was run to celebrate the community and a healthy lifestyle for Orlando businesses.

  • 1996

    New Office

    In May of 1996 IOF purchased a 15,000 sq. ft. building and occupied 50% and the first floor of the Altamonte Springs office space.

  • 1996

    Office Growth

    In August of 1996 IOF occupied the 100% of the 150 Westmonte, Altamonte Springs location.

  • 1997

    IOF’s First Out-of-State Branch

    In March of 1997 several agents and staff in Cherry Hill, NJ joined IOF in a multi-state expansion as the first satellite branch office.

  • 1997

    IOF becomes IOA

    In August of 1997 IOF began announced the name and logo change to Insurance Office of America (IOA). The new logo was introduced after the organization used up all the IOF letterhead and envelopes.

  • 1998

    $8.5 Million in Annual Revenue

    In 1998 IOA continued its growth with eight and a half million dollars in annual revenue.

  • 1999

    Fun Committee

    In September of 1999 IOA created the “Fun Committee” and the “Helping Hands” program with the purpose of creating a fun, supportive and enjoyable work atmosphere.

  • 1999

    Westmonte Location

    In October of 1999 IOA began construction of the 160 Westmonte building next to its already existing Altamonte Springs location.

  • 2001

    A Fastest Growing Insurance Agency

    In 2001, IOA was recognized as one of the fastest growing insurance agencies and moved to #78 on the top 100 Broker List.

  • 2001

    IOA Partners with the Orlando Magic

    In 2001 IOA signed its first sport partnership deal to become the Official Insurance Broker of the Orlando Magic.

  • 2002

    New Logo and Expansion

    In 2002 IOA introduced a new company logo (above) and acquired Match Up Promotions to join the family of companies.

  • 2003

    Employee Stock Ownership Plan

    In 2003 the IOA family of companies grew to more than 300 team members nationwide and started an Employee Stock Ownership Plan in the growing organization.

  • 2004

    New Headquarters and Expansion

    In 2004 IOA purchased Village Plaza at the intersection of 434 and I4. In this year IOA also formed two new subsidiary companies called Payroll Office of America (POA) and Village Fitness.

  • 2005

    Web Solutions of America is Founded

    In early 2005 Web Solutions of America was founded to serve clients with their website development, logo and SEO needs.

  • 2005

    $50 Million in Revenue

    In December of 2005 IOA earned more than fifty million dollars in revenue.

  • 2006

    20 Branch Offices

    In 2006 IOA had grown to have more than 20 branch offices nationwide.

  • 2007

    IOA Plaza Opens at UCF’s Football Stadium

    In March of 2007 IOA signed a deal with University of Central Florida for the lifetime naming rights to new football stadium plaza.

  • 2008

    A New CEO

    In June 2008, Heath Ritenour was appointed chief executive officer (CEO) of Insurance Office of America by the IOA Board of Directors.

  • 2009

    IOA Partners with the New Jersey Devils

    In October of 2009 IOA became the official insurance broker of the New Jersey Devils.

  • 2010

    IOA Continues to Be Named a Top Place to Work

    In 2010 IOA was named by the Orlando Business Journal four consecutive years in a row as one of the top 20 Best Places to Work.

  • 2011

    IOA Becomes Insurance Broker of Atlanta Hawks and Six Flags

    In 2011 IOA became the official insurance broker of the Atlanta Hawks and Six Flags.

  • 2011

    IOA Partners with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Charlotte Hornets

    In August of 2011 IOA became the official insurance broker of the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Charlotte Hornets.

  • 2012

    Marshall Solutions

    In December of 2012 IOA acquired Marshall Solutions, a profitable print group known in Central Florida for its customer service.

  • 2012

    $100 Million in Revenue

    In December of 2012 IOA finished with a great year surpassing more than one hundred million dollars in annual revenue.

  • 2013

    Riskscore Launches

    In August 2013, Insurance Office of America launches RiskScore, a tool for businesses to gain a better understanding of their risks and for IOA to use as the foundation for comprehensive solutions.

  • 2015

    1000 Team Members

    In March 2015, IOA employs its 1,000th team member.

  • 2014

    IOA Goes International

    On January 17, 2014, IOA went International as a registered broker of the Corporation of Lloyd’s, trading as ACN Services London.

  • 2016

    Eagle American Insurance Agency

    In June 2016, IOA announced the acquisition of 100 percent interest in Eagle American Insurance Agency which specializes in personal lines and select business insurance solutions.

  • 2016

    IOA Partners with US Club Soccer

    On September 1, 2016, IOA entered into a long-term sponsorship agreement with US Club Soccer.

  • 2016

    IOA Named One of Best Places to Work in Insurance

    In October 2016, IOA was honored among Business Insurance’s 2016 Best Places to Work in Insurance.

  • 2017

    IOA Partners with Orlando City Soccer Club

    On May 24, 2017, Insurance Office of America became the official insurance broker of Orlando City Soccer Club.

  • 2017

    IOA Debuts on Personal Lines Leaders List

    In November 2017, IOA made it’s debut on the Top 50 Personal Lines Leaders List by Insurance Journal.

  • 2018

    Heath Ritenour Named a CEO of the Year

    The Orlando Business Journal has recognized IOA CEO Heath Ritenour as one of their 2018 CEO’s of the Year. Honorees were included for distinguishing themselves in their respective fields and for their community contributions.

  • 2018

    IOA Wins ACG Orlando 2018 Smart Award

    Insurance Office of America was the winner of the 2018 ACG Orlando SMART Award in the financial services category.  This award recognizes six middle market companies in different industries for their excellence in corporate growth.

  • 2018

    IOA Named Agency of the Year

    Insurance Office of America was honored to be named as a winner of National Underwriter‘s Agency of the Year 2018 Award.

  • 2018

    IOA Named Official Sponsor of LPGA Tour’s Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions

    Insurance Office of America partnered with Diamond Resorts to sponsor the LPGA Tour’s Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions and was named its official insurance broker.

  • 2018

    IOA Named Elite Agency by Insurance Business America

    Insurance Office of America was honored to be named one of Insurance Business America Magazine’s Elite Agencies 2018. This report spotlights agencies that are “attaining new heights while reshaping the insurance business of tomorrow.”

  • 2019

    Heath Ritenour Becomes Chairman

    In January 2019, IOA CEO Heath Ritenour assumed the Chairman title.

  • 2019

    IOA Expands to a Second Central Florida Location in Lake Mary

    Insurance Office of America expanded its footprint in the central Florida area by adding a new location in Lake Mary. This new location is home to the IOA Personal Lines and Small Business Division.

  • 2019

    The Orlando Sentinel Names IOA a Winner of the Top Workplaces 2019 Award

    Insurance Office of America was awarded a Top Workplaces 2019 honor from the Orlando Sentinel. The award is based on employee feedback and measures issues relating to a company’s workplace culture.

Our Founder’s Story

John & Valli Ritenour

Co-Founders of Insurance Office of America

My first job was tossing coal into the fire at a steel mill in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I worked hard and thought that, by being the most productive on the floor, it would create an opportunity to advance in the company. I was soon called into the office with my union boss and was expecting good news. However, I was told to slow down because I was making the other employees look bad. I knew then that role was not the right one for me. I then started working for an insurance company selling life insurance door to door in the projects collecting a dollar a day on what back then was called the debit. I worked day and night to build a book of business. After building up a significant book, my boss said the company was going to lower commissions. That’s when the idea came to us to start an agency where agents owned their book of business, commissions were unchanged, and every client was valued the same.

Over 25 years ago, we turned our dream of opening a small insurance agency into a reality. In 1988, we called ourselves Insurance Office of Florida (IOF). I sought out new business, and Valli made sure clients were serviced so that they did not have any desire to leave. We never imagined that Insurance Office of America (IOA) would grow into the organization it is today. Our people, fun, faith and family have been the core of our growth and success.

In 1997, we received a call from our good friend Lloyd Humphrey. We had a long discussion about a possible IOF office opening in his hometown in New Jersey. We all agreed on the new branch and opened not only our second branch but also our first out-of-state branch. The ultimate outcome of our discussion was the formation of our new company name, Insurance Office of America (IOA).

We were, and still are, focused on our relationships with our clients. Getting to know them as people, not as paychecks. Our focus was the value you get when you do business with IOF, and I think that’s what got Lloyd’s attention. As time passed and people began to hear about IOA, we grew and were able to expand into Alabama, California, Georgia, South Carolina, and many other states as well as do business with international clients.

When we look at IOA today, it is something that Valli and I couldn’t have dreamed of when we began. The reason IOA has been so successful is the lasting relationships, incredible people (partners & employees), and the value we have created for our clients in our devotion to making a better tomorrow.

When IOF started, it was located in half of a one-story, 3,000 sq. ft. building in Apopka, Florida. Today, IOA has over 50 office locations within the United States and London. The dream is no longer just ours, however. It’s a vision shared with over 1,000 employees globally. Reach out and learn more about IOA. We are excited to welcome more partners and clients into the IOA family as the organization continues to grow in the years to come.

—John Ritenour

John and Valli Ritenour, Our Founders.
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