Higginbotham has joined forces with Lubbock-based Stephens Insurance Services, a specialist in benefits.
The collaboration will combine Stephens' local relationships with Higginbotham's broader resources to strengthen service offerings across West Texas and into eastern New Mexico.
Higginbotham chairman and CEO Rusty Reid (pictured above) said the combination of Stephens’ local leadership and benefits expertise with Higginbotham’s resources will create a strong team capable of delivering comprehensive solutions to clients across the region, including complex public sector and commercial accounts.
Stephens Insurance Services has built its reputation in three main areas, namely: group benefits, individual health and life benefits, and Medicare advisory services. Through the partnership, the firm plans to expand its offerings with access to Higginbotham’s broader capabilities while maintaining its focus on those core specializations.
Stephens owner and broker Zach Stephens explained that the firm’s focus on doing what it does best helped build its connection with Higginbotham over time, as the two companies collaborated through client referrals on property and casualty coverage. He said the partnership now allows them to provide clients with all the services they need under one brand, enhancing both client convenience and service depth.
Stephens added that the partnership brings the advantages of a larger firm, such as expanded capabilities and access to more complex accounts, while preserving the personal touch that local clients value. He noted that the collaboration with Higginbotham’s public sector division will be particularly valuable for school districts and other public entities that want local engagement backed by deep expertise and specialised service.
Director of operations Dana Teague said the employee-ownership model and culture at Higginbotham were major factors in the decision to join, noting the firm’s strong employee support and career development opportunities. Owner and broker Rick Kopytkiewicz said that feedback from other local agents who had joined Higginbotham was consistently positive, which reinforced their decision.
According to the team, the partnership is not a takeover but a supportive collaboration. Stephens Insurance Services will continue to operate independently while benefiting from the additional resources and backing of Higginbotham to better serve clients, employees, and the wider community.
