Sihle Insurance
by Kevin Fritz
Ranked as one of the largest private, family-owned insurance agencies in the country, the Altamonte Springs-based Sihle Insurance Group is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. The company’s vision has never wavered: to educate clients to help them make informed buying decisions.
“We exist to serve our clients, to be their educational resource, to provide ethical quotes and honest advice,” says Traci Sihle, vice president of Sihle Insurance and daughter of the late Jerry Sihle, who passed away in August. “Our goal is to build long-term client relationships through continually representing their best interests. Our vision shapes our values and our culture, which has been the recipe for our success.”
Launched in 1974 with one employee in a small house on Douglas Avenue, Sihle Insurance Group now comprises nine locations statewide, employing 160 people, and representing more than 200 insurance carriers. Sihle provides tailored solutions for insurance and risk management.
The full-service agency offers business, home, and auto insurance plus employee benefits and life insurance solutions. While the bulk of Sihle’s business is commercial insurance, the home and auto personal lines have been growing exponentially due to referrals from existing clients, Realtors, and lenders who trust the family-owned agency. The company further provides live educational classes and informative newsletters keeping more than 40,000 people up to date on relevant legislation and insurance matters.
“Our success is reflected in our team that lives and breathes our vision,” says Traci, who grew up in Winter Park and has been personally serving clients full-time for 20 years. “We simply do what is right for the client and the rest takes care of itself.”
Traci adds that Sihle is proud to be a debt-free company having paid off its commercial buildings and is financially stronger today than ever before.
The Top of the Top
Sihle’s success has led to a series of accolades, as well. Sihle Insurance has been honored year after year as an Orlando Business Journal Top 100 Privately Held Company and has earned the paper’s Fast 50 award for being one of the fastest growing businesses in Central Florida. Sihle has also been named as one of the Insurance Journal’s Top 100 insurance agencies in the United States and honored as an FAIA Top Insurance Workplace in the U.S.
Traci’s brother Mike serves as Sihle Insurance president, and her eldest son, Alexander Markopoulos, joined Sihle last year as a commercial producer in Miami. Traci lives in Maitland with husband Brent Smith. Together, they have five sons and a Goldendoodle named Tucker.
Jazzing it Up for the Kids
Known for its core values of honesty, empathy, compassion, and giving back, Sihle Insurance is a staple in the communities in which it serves. The company’s charitable endeavors and participation include Ronald McDonald House of Central Florida, Special Olympics, American Heart Association, Kids Beating Cancer, Make-A-Wish Wishmaker’s Ball, and the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.
This year, Sihle will add AdventHealth for Children to its list of dedicated causes when it debuts a new charitable event on February 7 called Jazz Winter Park benefiting AdventHealth for Children. The evening will feature live jazz music by Breezeway Jazz Quartet, a delectable dinner, exquisite cocktails, and a Valentine-themed silent auction – all under the stars atop the Winter Park Events Center from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
“It just feels great to help others and know the more we give the more that comes back,” says Traci, whose goal is to raise more than $100,000 at the inaugural Jazz Winter Park event with 100 percent of the money going to AdventHealth for Children.
Jazz Winter Park will help support clinical research trials, enhance access to cutting-edge treatments, improve facilities, and provide financial assistance to underserved and uninsured patients. To purchase tickets or donate email Brian.Dickerman@AdventHealth.com.