Florida Risk Partners and Shield & Shepherd Insurance Announce Strategic Joint Venture to Expand Commercial Insurance and Employee Benefits Capabilities

For Immediate Release
Tampa, FL & Houston, Texas — April 17, 2026

Florida Risk Partners, a leading middle market commercial insurance and risk management firm, and Shield & Shepherd Insurance, a fast growing employee benefits agency, today announced a strategic joint venture designed to deliver fully integrated property and casualty and employee benefits solutions to clients across the United States.

The partnership brings together the strengths of both organizations to create a comprehensive service offering that addresses the evolving needs of business owners seeking alignment between their risk management and employee benefits strategies.

“This joint venture represents exactly what our industry needs more of, alignment, execution, and a commitment to doing things the right way,” said David R. Carothers, Principal of Florida Risk Partners. “We are actively working alongside Devin and his team to build out a best in class property and casualty operation within Shield and Shepherd, while also creating a trusted pathway for benefits placement that protects and enhances our clients’ overall strategy.”

The collaboration originated when Devin Blount sought guidance on expanding his agency’s capabilities beyond benefits into commercial property and casualty insurance. Through a structured, hands on approach, the two firms established an ongoing working relationship focused on education, operational development, and revenue growth.

As part of the joint venture:

Florida Risk Partners is actively supporting the development of Shield and Shepherd’s commercial property and casualty practice, including training, workflow design, carrier strategy, and placement execution

Shield and Shepherd Insurance is providing a dedicated, trusted outlet for employee benefits solutions, ensuring producers can confidently place benefits business without risking client relationships

Both firms are collaborating on shared client opportunities, creating a seamless and integrated experience for business owners

Since the inception of the partnership, Shield and Shepherd has already produced nearly 250,000 dollars in commercial insurance premium, demonstrating the immediate impact of the collaboration.

“This partnership has accelerated our growth in ways that would have taken years to achieve on our own,” said Devin Blount, Principal of Shield and Shepherd Insurance. “We are actively building our property and casualty capabilities with the right foundation, while also expanding the value we bring to our clients and partners. The alignment between our firms is real, and the results speak for themselves.”

In addition to direct collaboration between the two agencies, the joint venture extends to the broader insurance community through Carothers’ national platform, Killing Commercial. Members of the community now have access to Shield and Shepherd’s benefits expertise, providing a secure and strategic solution for agencies seeking to expand their offerings without compromising their core property and casualty relationships.

The partnership reflects a broader trend in the insurance industry toward specialization, collaboration, and integrated service delivery, positioning both firms for continued growth in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

About Florida Risk Partners

Florida Risk Partners is a Tampa, Florida based commercial insurance and risk management firm specializing in middle market accounts. The firm focuses on reducing total cost of risk for its clients through strategic planning, data driven insights, and consultative service models.

About Shield & Shepherd Insurance

Shield and Shepherd Insurance is a Texas based agency specializing in employee benefits solutions. The firm is dedicated to helping organizations design and implement effective benefits strategies that attract and retain top talent while managing long term costs.

Media Contact:

Florida Risk Partners
David R. Carothers, CIC, CRM, CWCA
david@floridariskpartners.com
(888) 601-6660 x100

Shield & Shepherd Insurance
Devin Blount
devin@shieldedrisk.com
(281) 815-0290