After many months of planning, we are pleased to announce the merger of KBI Insurance with Elliott, Powell, Baden, and Baker, effective June 1, 2023. We are excited to have the President of KBI, Dave Kilhefner join our team as a Producer in Commercial Lines and together we will strive to provide KBI customers with the exceptional customer experience that EPB&B customers have come to expect from our team.
Here is more about Dave and how the merger will enhance the insurance experience for our customers.
Dave: Briefly describe your insurance background and KBI Insurance? I started working part-time at KBI Insurance when it was formed by my father and Founder, Clark Kilhefner in 1982. After college, I began working there full time and I have done every job, from answering the phone and doing the mail to eventually becoming the President in 2006. KBI offers both personal and commercial insurance with Refuse and Recycling and Trade Contractor’s insurance being areas of focus. Until this merger, KBI was located in Tualatin and employed eight team members.
Marc: Why the Interest in acquiring a new agency? In this case I was very interested as I’ve known Dave for decades, and his father and Founder of KBI, Clark Kilhefner, was a former partner at Elliott, Powell, Baden and Baker and someone that I had a hoot talking to when I would visit the office to see my father, Neil Baker back in the seventies. It all has come full circle. Life is a trip!
Dave: Why did you choose to merge with EPB&B? Its getting harder and harder to be a small agent and still do a good job for larger clients that require more insurance markets and expertise. My father worked for EPB&B in the late seventies until 1982. I wanted to work with a locally owned company that also had expertise in the transportation and construction sectors. Thus, EPB&B was the perfect fit.
Marc: Why Do You Believe is KBI a good fit For EPB&B? Dave has done a great job in working with two niche markets that fit well with what we have established; contractors and the refuse-hauling industry. This addition to our team made sense with our expertise in the trucking sector and our well-established contracting book.
Dave: Anything outside of work to let people know a little bit about you? I have three grown children. Hobbies are focused on the outdoors; fishing, hiking, boating, rafting, photography, etc. I volunteer for several non-profits; Clackamas Fly Fishers, Northwest Outdoor Writers Association and I am the Treasurer of Water Watch of Oregon.
Marc: How will the merger benefit EPB&B customers? Adding another expert in the contracting field with Dave joining the team is exciting from a mentorship and service perspective, and the growth will provide a little more horsepower as we work with insurance providers on renewals and new business opportunities.
EPB&B President Marc Baker(L) and KBI President Dave Kilhefner join forces. Welcome to the EPB&B team, Dave.