NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 16, 2026 — Commercial Insurance Associates, one of the nation’s largest property and casualty insurance brokers, today announced that Evan Swindall, who leads the firm’s surety bond practice, has been named a 2026 Rising Star by Insurance Business America. Swindall is honored alongside this year’s other winners at InsuranceFest 2026, held July 15-16 in Santa Monica, California.
“I’m truly honored, but this recognition is not just for me,” says Swindall. “We have an incredible surety team, including Bond Managers Julie Holland and Samantha Greifzu, who are building the CIA surety practice into a real force in this market.”
The IBA Rising Stars award recognizes insurance professionals aged 40 and under who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact early in their careers. Winners are selected with the assistance of an independent advisory panel drawn from leading firms across the industry.
“Evan builds a foundation of trust with his clients and surety partners, and the results speak for themselves,” says Scott Denbo, CEO of Commercial Insurance Associates. “This recognition belongs to him, but it also reflects what happens when we give talented people clear direction, real support, and the room to lead. We are proud to see that trust rewarded.”
Before joining CIA, Swindall was a Memphis-based Commercial Surety Underwriter at Liberty Mutual, where he became the first small commercial underwriter to successfully engage with private equity firms on surety matters. That underwriting background gives him a distinct advantage as a producer, with firsthand insight into how sureties evaluate risk, structure capacity, and support growth. Earlier in his career, he built a foundation in competitive sales roles with medical technology companies Smith & Nephew and Stryker, sharpening the consultative, performance-driven mindset that now drives his success in bonding.
About Commercial Insurance Associates
Established in 2002, Commercial Insurance Associates, LLC ranks among the Insurance Journal Top 100 property and casualty brokers nationwide and is a recognized Tennessean Top Workplace. With a premium volume exceeding $400 million, the agency’s 125-member team is dedicated to delivering premier risk management strategies. CIA maintains licensure across all 50 states and manages a diverse portfolio—from international corporations to regional startups—through its offices in Nashville, Greenville, SC, Jacksonville, FL, and Los Angeles. https://www.com-ins.com/