Private Equity in the Independent Agency System

Jeffrey Smith, JD, CAE Related Seminars and Products

Chief Executive Officer

Ohio Insurance Agents Association, Inc.

Jeff serves as Chief Executive Officer for Ohio Insurance Agents Association (OIA). He is responsible for leading OIA’s strategic initiatives and day to day operations. Prior to this, he served as the Director of Government Affairs and General Counsel for OIA. He also served as Director of Government Relations for the Ohio State Medical Association and Ohio Home Builders Association.

Smith graduated with honors from Kent State University and Capital University Law School with a concentration in government relations. He is a licensed P&C insurance agent, Attorney and Certified Association Executive. Jeff is an active member of the Ohio Society of Association Executives, Ohio Lobbying Association and Ohio State Bar Association Insurance Committee.

On a personal note, he is an avid runner and has completed a marathon in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. He lives in Grandview Heights with his wife and two children. He enjoys coaching youth sports and outdoor adventures.

Craig Neiss Related Seminars and Products

Business Planning and Valuation Manager

Ohio Insurance Agents Association, Inc.

Craig is OIA's seasoned Business Planning and Valuation Manager. With more than a decade of financial and operational consulting experience with independent insurance agents and brokers, he has spent the majority of his time specializing in agency valuations and perpetuation planning. Craig started his career as an Agency Valuation Analyst with MarshBerry & Co., one of the leading valuations firms in the country.

Craig joined OIA in 2017 and has performed more than 110 valuations since joining. In his career, Craig has conducted more than 250 valuations and perpetuation planning engagements. Craig's agency valuation experience spans several unique periods including the 2008-2009 great recession, escalation of Private Equity buyers in the IA marketplace, and most recently the COVID pandemic.

Craig holds a BA in Economics from Ohio Wesleyan University, an MBA in Finance from the University of Iowa, and has earned the prestigious Certified Valuation Analyst destination (CVA). The Certified Valuation Analyst designation is "the most comprehensive and complete foundational training, teaching to the international body of knowledge on how to value private business enterprises."

Craig's  experience, expertise, and specialization in independent insurance agency and brokers makes him and invaluable asset for agency owners across the country.