The NIA Group is launching five new specialty divisions to optimize its talent, resources and experience in serving clients and companies whose businesses fall within five niche markets.  They are: Technology, Energy, Manufacturing and Distribution, Food Services, and Private Equity.  The divisions will open starting January and February of 2005.

According to Steven L. Grossberg, President and CEO of The NIA Group, creating specialty divisions to serve particular vertical markets was a natural progression for the firm. 

“Our mission is to provide the best insurance and financial services for all NIA clients, regardless of industry,” notes Mr. Grossberg.  “Over the past several years; however, we have acquired extraordinary knowledge, experience and talent in serving particular lines of business.  It seems only natural to pool our best resources, skilled specialty advisors and technical professionals into niche divisions in order to optimize value to the clients we serve.”

The first division to open is The NIA Group Technology Division, which is based out of NIA’s Paramus office with specialists serving every NIA location.  Prior to its launch, The NIA Group counted hundreds of technology companies as clients, including hi-tech businesses that have been with the firm for a decade.

For Linda Coleman, managing director of The NIA Group’s Technology Division, opening the practice is an exciting time. “NIA’s Technology Division has an acute understanding of the insurance needs, opportunities and threats that technology companies face and how to address them. We’re a full-service broker that can deliver commercial and property insurance, employee benefits and investments and securities.  Not many brokers offer the specialized experience and cross-section of insurance and financial services that we do.”

The Private Equity Division, managed out of the New York City office, is the next practice to open, with NIA’s remaining divisions opening throughout February.  According to managing director Steve Parnes, the division is fully poised to provide custom insurance solutions to private equity firms as well as the emerging companies that such investors may fund, many of which fall under NIA’s specialty divisions.

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For more information on NIA’s Specialty Divisions, contact the managing directors directly:

Larry Cohen, Food Services Division: 800-642-3710 or lcohen@niagroup.com

Linda Coleman, Technology Division: 800-669-6330 or lcoleman@niagroup.com

Garry Hearst, Manufacturing & Distribution and Energy Divisions: 877-964-6300 or ghearst@niagroup.com

Steven Parnes, Private Equity Division: 800-395-3535 or sparnes.kornreich@niagroup.com