Trouble viewing this email? View it in your browser.

For more information, contact:
Rhonda Larma rlarma@cretcherheartland.com
or Gayle Leonard gleonard@cretcherheartland.com
(913) 341-8998

Cretcher Heartland, 4551 W. 107th St., Third Floor, Overland Park, KS 66207
www.cretcherheartland.com

Cretcher Heartland Acquires Scotland Group

Deal enhances Kansas City and Wichita presence, loss prevention services

Overland Park, KS - January 6, 2012 - Cretcher Heartland, a rapidly-growing insurance, risk management and employee benefits agency, has announced that it has acquired The Scotland Group, a commercial insurance agency operating in the Kansas City and Wichita markets. The transaction closed in October, 2011 and terms were not disclosed.

The Scotland Group was founded in 2009 and grew to $4 million in annual sales volume. Former Scotland principals Tim Sinclair and Kendall Gammon have both joined Cretcher Heartland; Sinclair will continue to be based in Wichita and Gammon, along with other former Scotland Group staff, has moved to Cretcher Heartland's Overland Park offices.

Steve Nicholson, Cretcher Heartland CEO, said "We consider more than just revenue in an acquisition, and The Scotland Group and Cretcher Heartland shared a common vision, attitude and approach. It's definitely a win-win partnership."

Scotland Group principal and Rose Hill, Kansas native Kendall Gammon is a well-known figure in the area, having played 7 years for the Kansas City Chiefs during his 15-year NFL career. Gammon is also known for his insightful reporting and commentary on the KC Chiefs for various local sports broadcasting outlets.

According to Kendall Gammon, "While The Scotland Group had been remarkably successful in a short amount of time, we were anxious to grow our business to the next level. This partnership enabled us to fast-track our goals. After 15 years in professional football, I appreciate a culture of excellence and in Cretcher Heartland we found like-minded people who want to win and strive to be the best."

Gammon continued, "This is a very meaningful and important step for us—a game-changer in terms of the enhanced support and resources we can offer to our clients."

ABOUT CRETCHER HEARTLAND, LLC Based in Overland Park, Kansas, Cretcher Heartland, LLC is one of the largest independent insurance and employment benefits brokers in the Kansas City region, and has provided employee benefits and insurance products, services and advice for nearly 40 years. Cretcher Heartland was formed in 2008 with the merger of Cretcher-Lynch & Co. Inc. (formed in 1974) and Heartland Employee Benefits LLC (established in 1996). The company's website address is www.cretcherheartland.com.

MEDIA RESOURCES Cretcher Heartland Website: www.cretcherheartland.com Chiefs Radio Network: Kendall Gammon Wikipedia: Kendall Gammon Download photo: Steve Nicholson, CEO, Cretcher Heartland Download photo: Kendall Gammon Download photo: Tim Sinclair