March 28, 2024

Next generation taking the reins at Clemon-Maki

Clemon-Maki Insurance Agency is seeing a change in executive leadership as Jeff Maki, Alex Modlin and Darin Eide take the reins from company founders Gary Clemon and Dale Maki.

“We sold effective the first of the year and Jeff, Alex and Darin are the new owners. Gary and I are staying behind to consult and to handle some specific accounts and keep a little continuity,” Dale Maki said.

Founded in 1991, Clemon-Maki has grown to be a premier locally-owned, regional full-service insurance provider. It services commercial and residential properties, professionals, commercial and personal liability and various specialty products.

The transition has been in the works for some time, Dale Maki said, with his son Jeff Maki becoming a partner in the business a couple of years ago. Since then, the group has worked towards an “exit” for Clemon and Maki, while developing their own team strategy.

“Being in business for yourself, you don’t just put in your two-week notice. We went through a process over the past two or three years to plan our exit,” Dale Maki said. “We are just easing out and make it a comfortable transition for them and for our customers, the most important people in the whole thing. I think we have pretty much accomplished that.”

While Jeff Maki, Modlin and Eide may be new to the leadership roles, they are not new to the insurance business. Maki has been a licensed agent since 2000, Modlin since 2007 and Eide for more than five years.

“These guys do come with experience,” Dale Maki said. “They are not coming in just learning how to sell insurance yesterday.”

All locals of Newton, the trio is finding their niche in a team approach to the business and departure from Clemon and Maki’s style of dividing the work along insurance lines.

“I like their team aspect — if a customer comes in they aren’t necessarily Gary’s account or Dale’s account it is whoever is on deck,” Dale Maki said. “When they say all hands on deck that means the customer is important, let’s take care of them as soon as they hit that door and get them in and out of here as quick as possible and give them the best service they can. I truly think that is a good way to do business.”

Jeff Maki said business will continue as usual with no noticeable changes for the company’s many customers.

“The team is still here. Nothing from their perspective should change, if anything, we are trying to improve it,” Jeff Maki said. “We hope to keep growing.”

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com