“Catherine is professional, has a deep understanding of our insurance industry, highly intelligent, responsive, caring, and a pleasure to work with – and most importantly, a skilled negotiator.”
Ken tucker, nfp
David Tuckness Valley General Testimonial – Jan. 10, 2022 Oak & Associates became an intricate member of my team during this difficult sale process. As partners, we continued to discuss the concept of joining a group that would complement my firm, by adding services and talent to my back office. Then, as offers arrived, and the due diligence began, it was nice to have an M&A partner working with us, not knowing how torturous and tedious that process can be. Yes, getting to the finish line with any deal can be challenging. Finding a partner you can rely on and trust is the key to success. She approached five buyers on our behalf and The Heffernan Group was the best possible fit for us. Catherine had worked in a consulting role over the years to myself and our other four Archway members. In addition, she assisted me with the valuation and buy-out of my partner many years ago. She is well versed in our industry and is easy to work with.
Adam Heuer, Heuer Ins. Agency in Sparks, Nevada
Catherine – you made selling my agency easy, again thank you! After working with you on our family perpetuation several years ago it made sense to reach out again once I decided to look for a partner to sell my legacy agency, too. I had already started the process with a local agency but knew I needed to pull in an expert and looking back I am very glad I did. You brought great value to my deal, and I took comfort knowing you were there to look out for me as I was going through negotiations. You also brought a great team with you and without your recommendations I don’t think I would have gotten my deal done in the two-month window I had. I will certainly recommend you to any of my friends or colleagues when the opportunity arises. Thanks a bunch for making this a reality.
John Youngs, One Source StopLoss
We recently utilized the services of Oak & Associates for the valuation and sale of our company OneSource StopLoss Insurance of Elk Grove, CA. OneSource transitioned from an MGU to an MGA making its valuation and capabilities unique in the marketplace. Catherine Oak did a great job of helping in negotiating the deal. We are very happy to have engaged Oak & Associates. John Youngs, Owner Call #916-804-6009, if you need more information
Anderson & Murison
Oak & Associates has worked with A&M for three decades. Catherine has done valuations for an ESOP, partner buy-out and when our key owner passed away. She has helped us with consulting work also. Ultimately, Catherine Oak was our advisor for our sale to HUB, which closed December 1, 2021. She did an excellent job and she and her firm have always been there for us! – Jim McCarthy, President
Ken Tucker, ONFP
I sold my book of business at the end of 2019 utilizing the services of Catherine at Oak & Associates. I was referred to her by my CIC mentor of 40 years. Catherine did a professional evaluation of my book of business down to the penny and was able to get a valuation for me that was way larger than what the buyers were offering. She took the time to gather all the necessary information from me, came up with ideas that I never thought of and made me understand my true value as well. She is professional, has a deep understanding of our insurance industry, highly intelligent, responsive, caring, and a pleasure to work with and most importantly a skilled negotiator. I truly believe I would have gotten less than half using someone else or trying to negotiate on my own. I highly recommend Catherine Oak and would welcome anyone to call me to discuss. Ken Tucker NEP #805-368-8341
Terry Stotka – Owner of Dorsey Hazeltine & Wynne
Catherine is wise and can see the big picture. She has performed fair market valuations for us and provided consulting advice over the years. She also assisted me in buying DHW and helped me personally through many hurdles we encountered. I highly recommend Catherine to any organization. Her ability to add value is superior.
Kevin C. Murphy, Owner of Sierra Insurance and SVP of Heffernan Ins. Group
December 29, 2020 Working with Catherine Oak has been a wonderful experience – and I highly recommend Catherine for valuation and as our front-end negotiator. We began to consider options to take our firm to the next level, and Catherine helped us plan the path for success. The end result was a very desirable multiple with a substantial addition in value added services, customer support, and leadership. We simply love our new direction. A $1mm+ revenue firm our size is not a large firm by any means, but Catherine went the extra mile to make sure the path forward was smooth and pain minimized. Merging or Acquiring an insurance firm is a huge life event, and I can think of no better partner to guide anyone forward than Catherine Oak and her team. Thank you Catherine!
Sincerely,
Kevin C. Murphy Owner of Sierra Insurance and Senior Vice President of the Heffernan Ins. Group
Richard Aniello President of Aniello Insurance Agency
September 16th, 2020
Catherine did a fabulous job for us when we decided to entertain offers to sell our agency. When we started this project we thought we could do it on our own. We spent a considerable amount of time coming up with the information needed to receive offers, and after receiving the various offers we decided we were better at selling insurance than selling our agency. We interviewed several consultants and we felt that Catherine would provide us the best service and we were not disappointed. From the initial pro forma, to analyzing the offers, to defending the proforma, and the final due diligence Catherine was with us the entire way. If you have any questions or wish to discuss further feel free to give me a call on my cell phone, 702 498 7009.
Sincerely, Richard Aniello President
Mark Polivka, Owner of Monarch Insurance
I was referred to Catherine Oak after speaking with an owner who contracted with her on his sale. We originally had her work on a perpetuation plan, which included minority owners. It was clear that a sale was in everyone’s best interest. After interviewing two other national firms we again chose Catherine. She brought a number of buyers. I believe she was responsible for the sale and at a higher price than anticipated. Catherine did what she said she would do and acted in a very professional manner. I would highly recommend Catherine Oak of Oak & Associates.
Mark Polivka Owner, Monarch Insurance Services, Inc. Honolulu, Hawaii
Roger Wilbur – Senior VP of BBT Insurance, Fullerton, CA
Catherine is very knowledgeable about the industry and business model topics. She engages with the audience for the purpose of teaching, interacting and development. Over a two-year span, she created seminars on critical industry and business-related issues addressing state of the state, trends, options, solutions, tools, sales and solutions. She was our Board of Directors’ unanimous choice to continue to invite back to speak to our association members.
Larry T. Hughston, President of Davis-Dyer-Max, Inc.
Catherine Oak was very instrumental in bringing the right buyer to me for our firm. For years we assumed perpetuation would be the answer. However, Catherine sat down with me and performed an in-depth review of the pros and cons of Perpetuation vs Acquisition. The picture became very clear that Acquisition was the way to go for our agency. Oak & Associates helped us clean up several issues which brought more value to our bottom line. With Catherine’s help and guidance along the way, the transition went very smoothly. She is a real pro, and knows the in’s and out’s of the Independent Agency System. I would highly recommend Catherine Oak and Oak & Associates!
Rocky Libby – Owner in Western Valley in Turlock, CA
Catherine has worked with a diverse set of personalities (real egos) in our agency. She has helped our agency in many capabilities. She has provided consultations in agency management, assisted in mergers and acted as our Sales Manager for a period of time. She continues to communicate with me years after our business dealings. She has a genuine interest in the well-being of those to whom she offers her expertise. I consider her to be a person of ability and integrity.
John O’Neill – Owner of Cohn Reid & O’Neill, Burlingame, CA
Catherine has excellent skills. She listened to our concerns and looked for a partner that met our expectations. She has an excellent ability to communicate on challenging issues. She is very diplomatic with a good sense of humor and is a valuable addition to any team of business owners.
Paul Bystrowski – CEO & President of John O. Bronson Co. of Sacramento
Catherine is intelligent and a good communicator with a pleasant personality. She has been a merger and acquisition consultant for me on several deals.
Cliff Dunbar – Chairman of Buckman Mitchell, Inc. of Visalia
Catherine has the skills and experience to keep topics on focus and on task. She is the key to making the group she is working with very informed and successful. Hiring Catherine would bring you a great value for the money and time invested.
Oak & Associates 