Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. announced the acquisition of Atlanta-based Argus Benefits, whose Jacksonville office is led by former Jacksonville Jaguars punter Bryan Barker.
Barker is the manager of the local office for Jacksonville native and company founder, Rob Taylor, who lives in Atlanta. Argus is a benefits brokerage and human resources strategy firm.
Argus, founded in 2001, offers employee benefits consultation and insurance benefit consulting and insurance brokerage services for midsize corporate clients in the southern U.S.
According to a news release, Taylor and his associates will continue to operate in their Atlanta and Jacksonville locations under the direction of David Ziegler, the Eastern Region executive vice president of Gallagher's employee benefit consulting and brokerage operations.
The Gallagher company, based in Ithaca, Ill., is an international insurance brokerage and risk management services firm with operations in 18 countries and a network of brokers and consultants that can serve customers in more than 110 countries through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.
Barker was one of the original Jaguars. He joined the team when the new franchise took the field in 1995. He played with the team through 2000.
After retiring from a 16-year NFL career with six teams and several punting records, he became an organizing member and coordinator of the Jaguars Alumni Group Ambassadors, a goodwill organization of former team members who represent the team throughout the community.
The JAG Ambassadors attend games to sign autographs and meet with suite holders and supporters and also take part in charity events, give speeches, participate in community activities and help wherever they are needed on behalf of the Jaguars organization.
Argus initially had filed paperwork to incorporate in Florida but decided to remain an Atlanta-based company.
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