Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition
Although insurance coverage can feel like just another item to “check off the list,” taking shortcuts can lead to dangerous exposures and drawbacks.
We work with our clients to properly identify risk exposures and to procure the necessary insurance coverages so that our clients can focus on growing an amazing business and generating outstanding returns for their investors.
From hard‐won experience, we understand the value of partnering with a service provider that “gets it” and can take a critical administrative burden fully off of Management’s plate.
Oberle’s ETA team is led by a former Search Funder.
We know what it’s like to be in your shoes.
Our Process
Oberle’s due diligence offering is 100% free of charge. By relying on Oberle’s expertise and experience, our clients win back time and peace of mind during the pre-closing phase of an acquisition.
Analysis & Due Diligence
Beginning in the diligence phase, we assess the pros and cons of the insurance program of the target acquisition. We typically kickoff our process four to eight weeks prior to closing.
Education & Recommendations
We summarize our findings in a simple, but comprehensive Due Diligence report. We’ll walk you through the potential coverage gaps, the pro-forma insurance pricing, and the program structure changes needed for closing.
Implementation
At closing, we execute on the recommendations and findings outlined in our Due Diligence report. This includes placing improved coverage for a lower premium, implementing risk management strategies, and eliminating coverage gaps.
In 9 out of every 10 client engagements we’re able to reduce spend and/or improve coverage.
Post-Close
We have two primary goals following closing: (1) zero operational disruption, and (2) to quickly build a strong rapport with your new teammates at the company you’ve acquired.
We’re committed to delivering exceptional service to your team. Our Net Promoter Scores (NPS) are among the highest in our peer group.
Our Offerings
Property & Casualty Insurance
Reps & Warranty Insurance
Employee Benefits
Life Insurance
Private Client
What Our Clients Are Saying
Our Team
August Felker
Owner/Founder
August Felker is the Founder and CEO of Oberle Risk Strategies. Oberle is a forward-thinking, innovative insurance agency serving a national client base from its home base in St. Louis, Missouri.
August’s journey in insurance began in San Francisco in 2003. He first worked in the large account group of an international insurance brokerage, helping to manage the insurance programs for several of the Bay Area’s publicly traded technology firms. Following that experience, August launched a search fund and acquired Murphy Insurance Group, an independent insurance brokerage based in Madison, Wisconsin
August merged Murphy Insurance with Hub International in 2015. At Hub, August served as the CEO of Wisconsin.
August launched Oberle in 2019 and is thrilled to have the opportunity to build an independent, client-focused insurance brokerage in his hometown of St. Louis. August’s father, grandfather, and great grandfather all owned insurance agencies in Saint Louis. He is married and has four kids and loves spending time outdoors.
Steve Pope, CIC
Commercial Lines Team Leader | ETA Team
Michael (Mike) Janes
Commercial Lines Senior Account Executive | ETA Team
Michael (Mike) Janes is a Senior Account Executive at Oberle Risk Strategies. Mike has over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry with a primary focus on commercial insurance for small to middle market business. He prides himself on delivering excellent customer service by helping his clients better understand their insurance coverages, the renewal process and current insurance market conditions. Growing up in a family business he understands the relationship between a broker and their clients and the level of trust they are placing in their insurance agent. In his free time Mike enjoys spending time with his wife, traveling to new places and playing golf.
Culver Hackel
Transaction Advisor | ETA Team
Culver Hackel is a Transaction Specialist at Oberle Risk Strategies. Culver works closely with new clients and helps them to understand the coverage they need for their new acquisitions and startups. He is passionate about learning the nuances of the risks associated with different businesses and making sure they receive the best insurance coverage possible. Outside of work Culver enjoys going to the movies with his wife and spending time with their 2 dogs.
Sarah Wright
Account Manager | ETA Team
Sarah Wright is an Account Manager on the ETA/Search Fund team at Oberle Risk Strategies. In addition to guiding our clients through the renewal process, Sarah is passionate about providing great customer service. She also assists our clients with coverage questions and any other general inquiries they may have. Sarah works with many of our clients in technology and healthcare, quickly learning the ins and outs of these industries. While she currently resides in St. Louis with her husband and dog, Sarah is a Chicago native – making sports rivalries in the office extra exciting!
Brianne Wells, CISR
Account Manager | ETA Team
Brianne Wells is an Account Manager with the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Team. She handles commercial insurance for businesses both large and small: renewals, policy changes, or questions. She believes insurance is an important part of doing business, and that clients should have faith in their insurance agent and not worry about their coverage. She has a CISR designation and is working toward adding her CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation. In her free time, she teaches yoga and enjoys spending time with her family.
Jeremy Sparks
Account Manager | ETA Team
Jeremy Sparks is an Account Manager on the ETA team at Oberle Risk Strategies. He handles Commercial Insurance for primarily small business, working towards handling the larger. He helps with renewals, and any other questions a client might have. He hopes to continue to learn and grow as he progresses in his career as an Account Manager. Prior to this, he was an Army Sergeant, and served for 4 years in Fort Polk, LA. He currently lives in Eureka with a full house of 4 dogs!
Donna Spradley
Account Specialist | ETA Team
Donna Spradley expresses having the honor of working at Oberle Risk Strategies since July 2021 in an account specialist role. She provides a supporting role for Oberle and our clients helping with day-to-day functions: certificates, auto id cards, policy changes, billing questions, claims, etc. Her insurance experience began in 1978 after graduating from college at Pittsburg State University, located in Pittsburg, Kansas. She is married, has 2 sons, 2 stepsons, 2 dogs, 4 grand dogs, 2 step grandkids, and 4 step grandkids. In her spare time, Donna likes to read, go for hikes, and attend sporting events.
