SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. (May 10, 2017) — Brightway Insurance is expanding across the country and on Monday, May 15, will open its first two Agencies in California, both of which are in Los Angeles County. Serving consumers in and around San Fernando Valley is area native, local businesswoman and now Brightway Agency Owner, Alicia Katz, who is opening Brightway, The Katz Agency. While new to the Golden State, Brightway Insurance is the nation’s seventh largest privately held Personal Lines independent insurance agency.
Katz’s team of insurance professionals has more than 30 years’ insurance experience under their belts.
“I grew up in San Fernando Valley and am thrilled to be opening a business that will help others in the community,” said Katz. “As a Brightway Agency Owner, I’m able to provide consumers with a level of attention and choice never before experienced here and with the support of a strong national brand.”
Born and raised in the Valley, Katz graduated from North Hollywood High in Los Angeles, Calif. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master of Science in Management with a focus on Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. She spent 20 years in the entertainment industry as a project manager, working in the legal and finance fields.
Katz co-owns the Agency with her husband of eight years, Allen Katz, who has a doctorate in Physics from Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz., and worked as a scientist in the aerospace industry for 25 years. In his free time, he is an avid volleyball player. They have a son, Charles, and enjoy participating in events affiliated with the local community and the Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, where they are members of the Parent Teacher Organization. They are both involved in their community through volunteer work and fundraising for La Providencia Guild of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and belong to the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce, Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of California and Insurance Brokers and Agents of San Fernando Valley. As Brightway Agency Owners, they look forward to meeting new people and earning consumers’ trust as the insurance agency that offers expert counsel and more choice than any other agency.
Also on the Katz team are two all-star insurance agents with more than three decades of industry experience. Jacqueline Matig comes to Brightway from State Farm and has 17 years’ insurance experience, while Nestor Cipriano brings 15 years of sales experience in insurance and financial services to Brightway. Cipriano is bilingual and speaks English and Tagalog.
“We’re excited to bring our brand and an enlightened experience to consumers in California as we open our first Agencies there on May 15,” said Brightway President, Talman Howard. “We understand that insurance can be complicated and frankly something you don’t want to worry about, which is why we’ve created a system that supports Agency Owners like Alicia Katz, so they can give their undivided attention to finding proper coverage for each customer they serve.”
Brightway Agency Owners enjoy support in customer service, carrier relationships, marketing, accounting and technology, which frees up their time to focus on leveraging the broadest possible selection of insurance companies to meet each customer’s unique needs. As a result, Brightway agencies consistently outsell other agencies two-to-one.*
Brightway, The Katz Agency is located at 14052 Ventura Blvd., in Sherman Oaks (between the Ventura intersection at Hazeltine Avenue and Murietta Avenue). The Agency offers customized Home, Condo, Renters, Auto, Flood, RV, Motorcycle, Boat, ATV, Life and Umbrella insurance policies from 15 insurance carriers including Nationwide, Bankers, Infinity, National General and Progressive.
About Brightway Insurance
Brightway Insurance is a national property/casualty insurance retailer selling through a network of franchised independent agencies throughout the country. With more than $456 million in annualized written premium, the company is the nation’s seventh largest privately held Personal Lines independent insurance agency. Brightway provides its Agency Owners with access to more insurance companies than any other agency, along with a comprehensive system of support that frees them up to focus on customizing policies that meet their customers’ needs.
Brightway began franchising operations in 2008 and has since grown to more than 700 people in 14 states serving customers in all 50 states. Forbes has recognized the company as America’s No. 1 Franchise to Buy. Additionally, the company was named a top franchise three years in a row by Entrepreneur magazine and one of the fastest-growing private companies in America nine consecutive years by Inc. 5000.
For more information about Brightway, The Katz Agency, visit BrightwayKatz.com or call 818-574-5476. Learn more about franchise opportunities with Brightway atBrightwayDifference.com.
