Commercial Insurance Associates (CIA), a major property and casualty insurance brokerage, has hired Bill Pfaffmann, an experienced franchising professional, as a principal and producer. In this role, Pfaffmann will lead and develop CIA’s franchising practice.
“The CIA’s secret sauce isn’t really secret; it’s our people,” says Will Denbo, president. “Bringing on someone like Bill Pfaffmann—who combines deep industry expertise with a genuine commitment to client success—is exactly the kind of move that strengthens our culture and strengthens our commitment to franchising.”
Prior to joining CIA, Pfaffmann had a varied career in franchising, including being a multi-unit franchisee with Dunkin’ Brands and Baskin Robbins, where he focused on expansion into new markets. He also served as part of the turnaround team at Subway, where he and his team worked with over 10,000 restaurants across North America, helping to drive operational and financial improvement with a laser focus on the customer.
Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of a growing regional sports training franchise.
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,” says Pfaffmann. “Discovering what truly serves the customer’s best interest has always been at the core of what I do. I’m excited to bring that mindset to CIA—a team that genuinely sees itself as part of the journey in people’s lives, helping clients uncover the right path forward. Our initial focus is on supporting multi-unit restaurant groups with 30 or more locations, but as we build momentum, we’re actively exploring broader opportunities across the franchising landscape.”
About Commercial Insurance Associates
Founded in 2002, Commercial Insurance Associates, LLC is an Insurance Journal Top 100 property and casualty insurance broker in the US and a Top Insurance Employer from Insurance Business America. With over $400 million in premium volume and a team of 150 dedicated employees, CIA is committed to delivering superior risk management solutions. Licensed in all 50 states and currently representing select international clients, CIA’s diverse client portfolio ranges from publicly held companies to local start-ups. The company has offices in Nashville, TN.; Greenville, SC; and a satellite office in Houston, TX.