Higginbotham

Higginbotham is privately held. Chairman and CEO Rusty Reid owns a controlling stake, and partner agencies that join the Higginbotham network receive equity in the parent company. This structure allows the firm to reward alignment across its offices without selling a majority position to outside investors.

Independent agencies that join Higginbotham receive equity in the holding company rather than a one-time cash payout. They retain day-to-day operational control of their local offices while gaining access to Higginbotham's back-office infrastructure, carrier relationships, and specialty practice groups. The model is designed to keep principals engaged long-term because their equity grows with the overall firm's performance.

The firm places commercial property and casualty insurance, employee benefits, retirement plan services, and personal lines coverage for high-net-worth individuals and families. It also operates industry-specific practices for energy, real estate, construction, manufacturing, nonprofit, and hospitality clients.

No. Higginbotham has not raised institutional private equity. Its growth has been funded internally and through the equity partnerships it forms with acquired agencies. This distinguishes it from many large independent brokerages that have taken on outside capital to fund acquisition strategies.

Higginbotham consistently ranks among the top 25 largest independently owned insurance brokerages in the United States by revenue, with over 2,500 employees and more than 100 partner offices. It operates in all 50 states with a concentration in Texas and the Sun Belt.

Investment decisions — particularly those related to the firm's retirement plan services and any internal capital allocation — are overseen by the firm's leadership committee under Chairman Rusty Reid. For client-facing retirement services, Higginbotham's registered investment advisor arm provides fiduciary advice to plan sponsors.

Higginbotham supports community initiatives through the Higginbotham Community Fund, which directs charitable contributions to organizations in the markets where its partner offices operate. The fund focuses on education, health, and human services within Texas and the broader Sun Belt.