Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Riemer.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story really starts long before I ever stepped into a boardroom.
I grew up watching my father, Stephen Riemer, build Riemer Insurance Group from the ground up. Long before I came along, he started the firm in 1978 with nothing but a desk, a phone book, and the relentless drive to take care of people. From a young age, I saw firsthand what it meant to show up for clients, treat relationships with respect, and build something that lasts. Those lessons shaped everything that came next.
After graduating from Harvard and later earning my MBA from Wharton, I worked on Wall Street in investment banking and private equity, but I always felt pulled back to the family business. My brother Paul and I saw an opportunity; not just to continue what our father built, but to transform it for the next generation. When I officially joined Riemer Insurance Group, I focused on bringing a fresh, strategic lens to an already strong foundation: technology, process improvement, data-driven decision-making, and a client-first philosophy rooted in trust.
Over the years, I’ve helped expand the firm’s footprint in high-value personal insurance, consultative group benefits, complex commercial accounts, and specialty programs. We strengthened our team, invested heavily in training and culture, and modernized the agency — from digital tools to analytics to service enhancements. At the same time, I remained deeply committed to community involvement, from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation to the Miami Children’s Museum to the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County and other organizations that mean a great deal to me and my family.
Today, as CEO, I’m proud to lead a multigenerational firm that still operates with the same values my father instilled, but with the scale, innovation, and sophistication required to compete in a rapidly changing insurance landscape. It’s been a journey rooted in family, fueled by hard work, and shaped by the incredible clients and colleagues who continue to put their trust in us.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No meaningful journey is ever a perfectly smooth road, and mine certainly hasn’t been.
Taking over and modernizing a multigenerational business comes with a unique set of challenges. When I stepped into leadership at Riemer Insurance Group, the insurance landscape was already shifting rapidly. Carrier appetites were tightening, property markets in Florida were in flux, and client expectations were evolving faster than most agencies were prepared for.
Internally, we faced the growing pains that come with scaling. Implementing new technology, rebuilding processes, integrating training platforms, and elevating our service model required a tremendous amount of change management. Change is never easy in any organization, let alone one with decades of legacy, but it was necessary to position us for the future.
There were also economic cycles, a global pandemic, industry disruptions, and moments where it felt like the ground was moving under our feet, especially in the Florida property market. As an agency, we’ve had to navigate carrier insolvencies, rate volatility, and underwriting uncertainty while staying committed to advocating fiercely for our clients.
Personally, one of the biggest challenges was learning how to balance being a steward of my family’s legacy with having the conviction to innovate, modernize, and make hard decisions. Those two priorities don’t always align naturally, and finding that balance took time, perspective, and the right team around me.
But every challenge pushed us forward. The difficult moments forced us to become savvier, more creative, and more resilient. Overall, they made me a better leader — one who values continuous improvement, the power of cultivating relationships, and a long-term view even when the short-term gets tough.
In hindsight, the struggles weren’t setbacks; they were catalysts for growth. They shaped the company we are today: stronger, more agile, and better positioned to serve our clients in an increasingly complex world.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Riemer Insurance Group, Inc.?
Riemer Insurance Group is a multi-generational, full-service insurance brokerage that has been protecting families and businesses across South Florida since 1978. My father, Stephen Riemer, founded the firm on the belief that clients deserve genuine advocacy, clear guidance, and a long-term partner they can rely on. That philosophy remains the core of who we are today.
We focus on three primary areas:
(1) Commercial insurance for a wide range of industries, helping business owners navigate an ever-changing risk landscape;
(2) A strategic, consultative Group Benefits division, which has become one of our fastest-growing areas. Our benefits team works closely with employers on medical, dental, vision, voluntary benefits, compliance, and long-term planning. They take a proactive, relationship-focused approach that helps organizations design programs that support their people and their growth; and
(3) Personal insurance, especially for complex homes, coastal exposures, specialty vehicles, yachts, aircraft, and valuable collections.
What sets us apart is our commitment to partnership. We pride ourselves on making strategic connections between our more than 10,000 clients. When they do well, we do well. The insurance environment—especially in Florida—can be overwhelming. We’re known for helping clients make sense of the noise, advocating for them with carriers, and delivering a level of service that is thoughtful, responsive, and rooted in long-term trust. We invest heavily in technology, staff development, and internal processes so that our team can stay ahead of industry shifts and continue providing a refined, modern client experience.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the reputation we’ve built over nearly five decades. Families trust us with their most important assets. Business owners rely on us for guidance as they grow and evolve. Many of those relationships span generations, and that loyalty speaks volumes about the work we do and the way we show up for our clients.
What I want readers to know is that Riemer is built on values, not transactions. We’re here to protect people, support their goals, and be a steady partner in a world where risk is constantly changing. That’s what has defined our brand from day one—and what continues to drive our growth today.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something that often surprises people is how deeply involved my family and I are in real estate investing and development outside of the insurance world. We’ve built and managed a portfolio of properties over many years, and we remain very active in acquisitions, deal structuring, financing, construction, and long-term asset management.
What most people don’t realize is how much that experience directly strengthens the way we operate Riemer Insurance Group — especially when working with property owners. Because we sit on both sides of the table, we understand the realities of inspections, renovations, construction challenges, lender requirements, contract negotiations, budgeting, and lease structures. We know what it means to navigate banks, contractors, architects, and municipalities — not in theory, but in practice.
That background gives us a level of insight, empathy, and practical know-how that’s uncommon in the insurance space. We can look at a building and immediately understand the risk profile, the replacement cost drivers, the construction nuances, and the real financial pressures that owners are managing. It also means we’ve built a tremendous network — contractors, lenders, engineers, attorneys, accountants, and other professionals — that we can tap into to support our clients far beyond the policy itself.
At the end of the day, our real-estate experience makes us a more strategic and better-aligned partner to the families and businesses we serve. We think like owners, we understand how deals get done, and that perspective influences everything about how we advocate for our clients.
Pricing:
- Getting a quote or risk analysis from our agency is free!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.riemerinsurance.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riemerinsurance/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiemerInsurance/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/riemer-insurance-group/
