C3 Risk & Insurance Services Promotes Two Internal Employees to Partner

Promotions mark the first time the firm has awarded ownership stake to internal staff

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--San Diego-based insurance brokerage C3 Risk & Insurance Services has expanded its ownership team to include two new partners, Tracey Best and Rich Hallett, who were promoted from within the organization. Best and Hallett were tapped because of their exceptional leadership, creativity, work ethic and dedication to the company and its clients.

While the move marks the first instance when the firm has awarded ownership to internal employees, C3 Risk & Insurance Services Chairman Jamie Reid says he is optimistic this is only the beginning.

“We’re so excited to add these two partners because they both joined C3 and built their books organically and qualified to make partnership. In the real world, that means they're owners. They're our partners in owning this company,” said Reid. “We've intentionally structured C3 as one of very few agencies in the country where every producer can join the organization and have a path to a seat at the table and be that equity partner in the relationship.”

Tracey Best, vice president of employee benefits, and now partner, joined C3 Risk & Insurance Services in 2020 and is the first female partner in the company. She has more than two decades of experience in employee benefits and insurance, having worked for several national insurance firms previously, including Marsh & McLennan Agency, Barney & Barney and Mercer Health & Benefits. Tracey is excited to use her experience to continue building something special at C3 in her new role as partner and her newly expanded employee benefits division following the merger with local powerhouse B. Wood Insurance.

“We're an industry that has been male-dominated, and to have a diverse perspective coming from Tracey is something that we really value and are excited to have at C3,” said Gabe Erle, president, C3 Risk & Insurance Services. “Tracey embodies our culture in all the ways she cares about her team, her colleagues and her clients.”

Rich Hallett joined C3 Risk & Insurance Services in 2021 as the company’s director of surety and was instrumental in starting the Construction and Surety divisions at C3, bringing more than two decades of experience in underwriting and insurance brokerage, including roles with Marsh & McLennan Agency, Barney & Barney and Arch Insurance Group. As partner, Rich is excited about the elevated role he will play in continuing to build both the business and company culture at C3.

Rich said, “There are few brokerage firms that offer this opportunity, especially as a privately-owned firm. It's pretty special in the industry to be given this opportunity.”

“At C3, we want our people to be who they are, to learn from others, work hard and the rest is limitless,” said Reid. “We’re excited to continue growing as a business, but it's important to us that our growth is responsible and that we stay true to who we are.”

For more information on C3 Risk & Insurance Services, visit c3insurance.com.

ABOUT C3 RISK & INSURANCE SERVICES

C3 is shaking up the insurance industry by redefining the privately held insurance brokerage firm. Founded in 2017, C3 is locally owned and headquartered in San Diego. While young at heart, the breadth of experience spans decades. C3 inherently takes a different approach to managing the risk of companies from startups through multinational firms. The difference is in discovery. C3 proactively creates sophisticated and innovative strategies for preventing unexpected loss for its clients and conversely provides swift resolution for difficult claims. Its unique business model and dedication to employees and clients has been a catalyst to C3 becoming one of the fastest-growing insurance firms in the country. Learn more by visiting c3insurance.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or by calling 619-233-8000.

EDITOR: Click this link to download Tracey Best and Rich Hallett's headshots: https://bit.ly/3JHbyVJ (Photos courtesy of C3 Risk & Insurance Services)