(DENVER – AUG. 9, 2021) IMA Financial Group, a North American insurance brokerage firm specializing in risk management, insurance, wholesale brokerage and wealth management, has appointed H. Garrett Droege as IMA Director of Innovation + Strategy.

An insurance veteran with deep experience in evaluating insurtech companies, Droege joins IMA in a newly created role, charged with examining risk and opportunities across technology, life sciences and advanced manufacturing industry verticals. He will also be significantly involved in BrokerTech Ventures, a partnership of 13 brokerage firms that find, fund and support startups addressing the technology needs of insurance agents and brokers.

“Every business in the future economy will be technology-enabled,” said IMA Senior Vice President Mark Ware, who oversees technology, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. “It is central to IMA’s mission to address technology’s inherent risks with a team of dedicated tech professionals, and Garrett is the right person to lead the team. He has spent his career immersed in these issues and immediately adds value to our associates and clients.”

Droege has a unique understanding of the innovation ecosystem. He joins IMA after serving eight years as Executive Director and CEO of TechAssure, the global tech risk insurance broker network. He has served as an advisor to dozens of insurtech companies in that role and previously managed the Innovation Risk Division for Wade Associates.

“Not only has IMA built the premier privately held and employee-controlled brokerage firm in the industry, it is truly committed to building something that changes the industry,” said Droege. “Combined with its recent partnerships with leading firms like Bolton & Company, k.p.d. Insurance and Diversified Insurance Group, I believe IMA is poised to become the brokerage of choice for all tech-enabled enterprises, and I’m eager to join the team.”