ST. LOUIS - nvtip -- WalkerHughes Insurance ("WalkerHughes"), a privately held, founder-led retail insurance brokerage business headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, has acquired Independent Brokers Agency LLC ("IBA"), a Ballwin, Missouri-based insurance agency which offers personal lines, commercial lines, and employee benefits. IBA represents WalkerHughes' first acquisition outside of Indiana.

For more than three decades, IBA has been family-owned and operated. IBA's ownership saw an opportunity to accelerate their growth through the investment and support of WalkerHughes. Heather Wessels, Principal of IBA, and Mike Swatske, Partner of IBA, will continue managing the Ballwin, Missouri office as valuable members of the WalkerHughes team.

"We are excited to have IBA become part of the WalkerHughes story as we continue to expand our capabilities and geographic footprint," said Benjamin Schoettmer, CEO of WalkerHughes. "IBA has an excellent reputation in their local community. WalkerHughes is proud to bring them onboard and welcome Heather and Mike as key leaders in our expansion to Missouri."

More on nvtip.com

• $10 Million Allocated to Establish Crypto Treasury Focused on High Value Ethereum (ETH) & Bitcoin (BTC) as Long-Term Holdings for Cybersecurity Leader
• Sing For Your Supper: A Night of Musical Comedy and Drag for a Great Cause
• Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies Celebrates New DBH Graduates
• $100 to $200 Million Equity Agreement with Top Digital Advisor Bitwise to Power Major Digital Asset Initiative for Bitcoin and Solana: OFA Group
• New Collaboration Launches Corporate ESG Solution for Responsible Decommissioning and Transparent Reporting

The IBA team will join the WalkerHughes family with Heather and Mike assuming local leadership and continued business development roles as Regional Directors, focused on supporting the agency's continued expansion efforts in Missouri.

"We met WalkerHughes and realized nearly immediately that our values and heart for people, community and service aligned beautifully with theirs," said Heather Wessels. "We found in them an amazing partner with which we can enhance our client service through our combined expertise and shared culture. We are so excited for the next steps together."

Mike Swatske added, "Joining WalkerHughes opens a world of opportunities for clients, allowing us to provide even greater value. We are thrilled to bring WalkerHughes to Missouri and build a differentiated regional platform."

About WalkerHughes Group, LLC.
WalkerHughes is a privately held, founder-led retail insurance brokerage business headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. WalkerHughes provides commercial lines, personal lines, and employee benefits services, with integrated operations and a leading proprietary technology system. WalkerHughes has grown organically and through 30+ acquisitions of culturally aligned retail agencies in the Midwest. Since 2023, WalkerHughes has partnered BW Forsyth Partners, a Missouri-based private investment firm with a perpetual, long-term investment horizon and evergreen capital base. For more information, visit WalkerHughes.com.

More on nvtip.com

• SlickCashLoan Launches Free Loan Calculator to Help You Plan Monthly Payments
• EigenQ and WNC Announce Strategic Collaboration to Deliver FIPS-Certified Quantum-Safe Hardware at HPE Discover 2025
• TikTok Star ArcadeFriends Attempts 24-Hour Claw Machine Marathon at Lucky Puppy Arcade in Las Vegas
• Pyro Marketing Launches New Website to Accelerate Growth for Fitness Brands
• KCON LA 2025, 106.3 RAIN FM 'Take Over' Special Event