Help

BI’s Article search uses Boolean search capabilities. If you are not familiar with these principles, here are some quick tips.

To search specifically for more than one word, put the search term in quotation marks. For example, “workers compensation”. This will limit your search to that combination of words.

To search for a combination of terms, use quotations and the & symbol. For example, “hurricane” & “loss”.

Login Register Subscribe

2015 40 Under 40 Broker Awards: Ryan Pfeiffer

Midwest region

Reprints
2015 40 Under 40 Broker Awards: Ryan Pfeiffer

Area senior executive vice president

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Age: 36

Ryan Pfeiffer, who is an area senior executive vice president for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., grew up in the insurance industry, so he did not have very far to go to find a profession.

“My dad had his own agency, so I grew up working at my dad's office during the summers and doing filing and all sorts of stuff,” said Mr. Pfeiffer, who is based in Prairie Village, Kansas.

The agency was sold in 1995. But while in college he worked as an intern for Gallagher in London, then subsequently joined the firm.

“It's the only job I have ever had,” he said.

Mr. Pfeiffer said what has kept him at Gallagher is the firm's culture, which extends from Chairman, President and CEO J. Patrick Gallagher Jr. on down. He describes this as a focus on the customer and doing “whatever we can” to take care of clients and prospects.

He enjoys his work.

“No day's the same,” said Mr. Pfeiffer. “You come in with a plan,” but “things are always coming up that throw you in a different direction. But that's what's fun and exciting and keeps you on your toes,” he said.

“I love the role I'm in,” he said. “I love taking care of my clients and trying to find new clients.”

In 10 years' time, “I see myself doing the same role, but if something else arises with Arthur J. Gallagher, I guess I would go there. You never know what happens,” said Mr. Pfeifer.

Client Steve Kovzan, chief financial officer of Olathe, Kansas-based NIC Inc., which provides official state eGovernment services and secure payment processing solutions, said Mr. Pfeiffer is a “a very customer-focused professional.”

“He has a very strong executive presence, he's very polished, yet at the same time he's extremely humble, approachable and down to earth, so he's that perfect combination of somebody you'd want as an insurance broker.”

Read Next

  • Top young brokers poised as next generation of leaders

    Where will the insurance industry find the leaders of tomorrow? That's been an ever-more-urgent question as baby boomers retire in increasing numbers. The insurance industry has to compete with other industries, some of which appear to be considerably more interesting and glamorous in the public eye, for the talent without which no industry can prosper or even survive.