ITASCA, Ill., March 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG) today announced the acquisition of two New Jersey wholesale brokers; Excel Insurance Services, Inc. (Excel), located in Hamilton, and McCloskey Surplus & Excess, Inc. d/b/a Metcom Excess (Metcom), located in Ridgefield Park. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

Established in 1999, Excel is a commercial property & casualty and personal lines wholesale broker that offers coverages for hard-to-place risks to its agent and broker clients throughout the Northeastern United States. They specialize in the hospitality, real estate, construction and auto industries. Dennis Pellegrino, Jr. and his associates will continue to operate from their current location under the direction of Joel Cavaness, President of Risk Placement Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Founded in 1979, Metcom is a managing general agent and wholesale insurance broker that provides excess and surplus, property/casualty, commercial binding and brokerage, professional liability and other specialty insurance products and services to its agent and broker clients throughout the Northeastern United States. They also specialize in personal lines and insurance coverages for the transportation industry. Charles McCloskey, Jr. and his colleagues will also operate from their current location under the direction of Mr. Cavaness.

"We are always looking for new partners that are highly-regarded within the industry, will expand our geographic presence and fit within our unique sales culture. We have found all those qualities in these two outstanding firms," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. "The Excel and Metcom teams bring their depth of industry experience and expertise, strong retail relationships and focus on client services. Their specializations will be a great complement to Risk Placement Services' capabilities. We are extremely pleased to welcome Dennis, Charlie and their teams to the Risk Placement Services family of professionals."

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., an international insurance brokerage and risk management services firm, is headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, has operations in 30 countries and offers client-service capabilities in more than 140 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants. 



    Investors: Marsha J. Akin           Media:  Linda J. Collins

    Director-Investor Relations         VP - Corporate Communications

    630-285-3501 or marsha_akin@ajg.com 630-285-4009 or linda_collins@ajg.com

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SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.