October 9, 2025

Higginbotham and Stephens Insurance Services Form Partnership

News Summary

Higginbotham has partnered with Stephens Insurance Services to enhance insurance offerings for clients in Lubbock and West Texas. This collaboration combines local relationships with broader resources, aiming to provide comprehensive benefits solutions. As a result, both firms will expand their services, focusing on group and individual health benefits, as well as Medicare advisory services. The partnership promises to improve community connections and client satisfaction through enriched service offerings while maintaining a local touch.

Texas – Higginbotham, a prominent employee-owned insurance, financial, and HR services firm, has announced a strategic partnership with Stephens Insurance Services, a Lubbock-based benefits specialist, to enhance service offerings across West Texas and eastern New Mexico. This collaboration is aimed at leveraging Stephens’ local relationships while utilizing Higginbotham’s extensive resources to deliver comprehensive solutions for clients, particularly in complex public sector and commercial accounts.

The joint effort will enable Stephens Insurance Services to expand its capabilities while continuing to focus on its core specializations, which include group benefits, individual health and life benefits, and Medicare advisory services. The partnership is expected to improve the depth of services available to clients, facilitating access to a full range of offerings under one brand, thereby enhancing client convenience.

Rusty Reid, chairman and CEO of Higginbotham, emphasized the advantages of merging local leadership and benefits expertise in addressing clients’ needs. The collaboration is particularly beneficial for school districts and public entities, as it connects them to Higginbotham’s robust public sector division. This aligns with their commitment to serve more intricate service requirements effectively.

As part of the partnership, Zach Stephens, the owner and broker of Stephens Insurance Services, noted that the firm’s dedication to focusing on their strengths was a significant factor in establishing this alliance with Higginbotham. This strategic move allows Stephens to operate independently while benefiting from the additional resources and support provided by Higginbotham.

In addition to service enhancements, the decision to partner was influenced by the positive feedback received from other local agents who have joined Higginbotham. The appeal of Higginbotham’s employee-ownership model and its nurturing corporate culture were also key factors in the partnership’s formation. Dana Teague, the director of operations, highlighted these elements as instrumental in facilitating the collaboration.

Higginbotham, headquartered in Fort Worth, is known for its extensive range of services and expertise in the insurance industry, making it a robust partner for Stephens Insurance Services. Founded in 1997 by Ed Stephens and currently helmed by Zach Stephens, the firm has carved out a niche as a specialist in benefits, positioning itself uniquely to complement Higginbotham’s broad capabilities.

The partnership represents a strategic alignment designed to enhance service delivery not only to clients but also to employees and the broader community in which they operate. By combining local insights with the capabilities of a larger firm, both Higginbotham and Stephens Insurance Services are poised to better meet the evolving needs of their clientele. Furthermore, this collaboration promises to provide a supportive framework for Stephens, allowing it to focus on its established areas of expertise while gaining access to Higginbotham’s extensive resource network.

As they move forward, Higginbotham and Stephens Insurance Services aim to foster a cooperative environment that maximizes the strengths of both organizations while providing enriched services tailored to the specific needs of clients in West Texas and eastern New Mexico.

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