Starkweather marks 135 years

EAST PROVIDENCE – Starkweather & Shepley Insurance Brokerage is celebrating 135 years in business, surviving and thriving through world wars, the Great Depression and the recession to grow to be the 71st largest insurance agency in the nation, according to a company announcement.
The company was founded in 1879 by George Shepley and James Starkweather on Custom House Street in Providence, initially insuring cargo that called on ports around the globe. By 1900, the firm had offices in New York and Paris.
Branching into new markets, Starkweather & Shepley expanded to selling automobile insurance as America evolved as a car-oriented society.
The insurance brokerage points to the creation of an ownership trust, in which every employee shares in the success of the company, as an important element building a strong business with long-term retention of dedicated employees. Starkweather & Shepley President and CEO Nat Calamis has been with the firm for more than 35 years. One employee recently retired after 51 years and some clients have been with the firm for 90 years.
Starkweather & Shepley has more than $400 million in written premiums. Since 1985,the company has been an Assurex Global partner, the only Rhode Island member of that network, making it part of a strategic alliance of 118 independently owned insurance broker on six continents.
The East Providence-based firm has more than 200 employees in nine offices in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

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