Chris Despot, Risk Management Consultant
LONGWOOD, Fla. (Dec. 20, 2021) – Insurance Office of America (IOA) is pleased to welcome Chris Despot to its team as a risk management consultant. While serving all states, Chris brings a new IOA presence in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
“We’re excited to have Chris join the IOA family. His depth of knowledge and proficiency in the insurance industry has earned him a stellar reputation, so we know our current and future clients will continue to be served well,” said IOA Chairman and CEO Heath Ritenour.
Prior to joining IOA, Chris spent more than a decade as a property and casualty insurance broker for Willis Towers Watson. He began his professional insurance career working for a well-respected, family-owned insurance agency based in Birmingham, Alabama. Building on this foundation allowed Chris to better understand the importance of risk management and insurance as well as the financial challenges facing business owners and executives.
“I’m eager to hit the ground running with the experienced and reputable team at Insurance Office of America,” said Chris. “The way IOA approaches business and culture truly defines why it has become a well-established leader in the industry. I’m looking forward to bringing my expertise to this already exceptional group.”
A native of Louisiana, Chris began his studies at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He went on to attend the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and management. He also holds the certified insurance counselor (CIC) designation.
Chris is technically savvy with respect to property and casualty insurance coverage and risk management. He serves several industry sectors, including, but not limited to, construction, manufacturing, equipment rental/sales, and healthcare.
To contact Chris about your insurance needs, he can be reached at (205) 807-3865 or via email at chris.despot@ioausa.com.
ABOUT INSURANCE OFFICE OF AMERICA
Insurance Office of America (IOA) is a full-service insurance agency founded in 1988 by John Ritenour and Valli Ritenour. Today, IOA is led by Chairman and CEO Heath Ritenour, and it is one of the fastest-growing independent agencies in the United States. IOA is ranked 18th on Insurance Journal’s 2021 Top 100 Independent Property/Casualty Agencies report and 28th on Business Insurance’s 2021 100 Largest Brokers of U.S. Business list. IOA also is a recipient of the prestigious National Agency of the Year award. Headquartered in Longwood, Florida, part of the greater Orlando community, IOA has more than 1,300 associates located in over 60 offices in the U.S. and United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.ioausa.com.
