Associated Agencies, Inc. Names Talicia Bashford Chief Operating

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. – April 2018 – Associated Agencies, Inc. has recently hired 35-year-old Talicia Bashford to be its new Chief Operating Officer, a position newly created at the agency.

As the agency’s first COO, Bashford will focus on overall operations and several areas of opportunity, including employee engagement, branding, talent management, process sustainability, training, and technology.

“Associated Agencies, Inc. has been in a serious growth mode for the past decade,” said Bashford. “Internally, there’s an opportunity to evaluate our operations and make sure we’re set for continued scalable growth and attracting top talent. We’re aligning our efforts in all areas with our long-term vision, and are excited to evolve.”

Prior to joining Associated Agencies, Inc., Bashford worked at Assurance for eight years. She spent four years as the Senior Vice President of Strategic Solutions and Technology and four years previously as a Client Services Director. She also worked at the Horton Group for more than six years in multiple capacities, including as a sales executive and leading client service operations.

“During the past several years, we’ve successfully grown as a sales organization through hiring new salespeople and building our sales mentorship practices,” said Joshua Herz, president of Associated Agencies, Inc. “As we’ve grown, we’ve recognized operational needs that didn’t previously exist for us. To remain scalable in sales, as well as capable of quickly onboarding great new employees, we need highly-functioning internal operations. Through a combined focus on strong sales growth and a solid operational foundation, we’ll become an even more desirable destination for new talent, while remaining on top of our clients’ needs.”

Bashford graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Business in 2004, majoring in Risk Management & Insurance and Marketing. She lives in Arlington Heights, Ill. with her husband and two children.

About Associated Agencies, Inc.

Headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Ill., Associated Agencies Inc. is an independent insurance agency that manages property and casualty, employee benefits and personal lines for business and individuals. Formed in 1890 when three brokerage firms merged to form one agency, it has grown from a small independent agency to a staff of 120 employees serving more than 3,000 clients across the U.S.

For more information about Associated Agencies, Inc., call 847-427-8400 or visit http://www.associated.cc/

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