Iselin-based World Insurance Associates LLC on Friday said it acquired two Massachusetts-based agencies, increasing its presence in the Greater Boston area.
The Iselin-based firm welcomed Tarpey Insurance Group of Wakefield, Massachusetts, and Rush-Kent Insurance Agency Inc. of Arlington, Massachusetts, to its portfolio of insurance professionals on Aug. 1.
Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.
Tarpey is a family-owned and -operated insurance agency that provides a variety of products and services for individuals and businesses. James J. Tarpey took ownership of the agency in 1979. Tarpey began his insurance career over 60 years ago as an underwriter for Royal Insurance. He came to the agency in 1968 and has been the CEO since 1979. All five of his children joined the agency and have been partners with him since the late 1990s.
In 1925, J. Quinton Rush established the J.Q. Rush Real Estate and Insurance office. It specialized in real estate sales as well as insurance. Charles R. Kent acquired the agency from J.Q. Rush in 1969, changing the name to Rush-Kent Insurance Agency. In 1980, the agency moved to its current location in Arlington. Over the years, several agencies were purchased and incorporated into Rush-Kent. The current principals, Paul Kent and Robert Kent, have been with the agency since 1984.
“The Tarpey Insurance Group has always been committed to providing its customers with the highest quality service possible,” Liz Tarpey-Kent, president, Tarpey Insurance Group, stated. “We are proud to continue this commitment as part of World Insurance Associates.”
“Insurance can be complicated,” says Paul Kent, principal, Rush-Kent Insurance Agency, said. ”That’s why our clients need experts to work on their behalf.”
“We are a trusted source for our clients,” Robert Kent, principal, Rush-Kent Insurance Agency, said. “We look forward to continuing to advocate for our clients as part of World.”
“I am pleased to welcome Tarpey and Rush-Kent to the World family,” said Rich Eknoian, co-founder and CEO of WIA. “They are a team of respected insurance professionals in the Greater Boston area, and they will be a great addition to our team.”
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla provided legal counsel to WIA, and MarshBerry advised them on the transaction. Dowling Hales acted as exclusive financial adviser, and Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett P.C. provided legal counsel to Tarpey and Rush-Kent. No other advisers, diligence firms or legal counsel were disclosed.
