Sunstar's New Era: Meyerowitz to Helm PE-Backed Expansion Strategy

MEMPHIS, TN – April 29, 2026 – Sunstar Insurance Group, one of the nation's top 30 independent insurance brokers, is embarking on a pivotal new chapter with the appointment of industry veteran Adam Meyerowitz as its new Chief Executive Officer. The change, effective May 4, 2026, signals a strategic shift for the Memphis-based firm, positioning it for an aggressive new phase of growth backed by private equity powerhouse Reverence Capital Partners.

Meyerowitz will succeed Casey Bowlin, the company's founder, who has guided Sunstar from its inception in 2013 into a brokerage giant with over $2 billion in annual premiums. Bowlin will transition to the role of Chairman, where he will continue to shape the firm's future by focusing on high-level strategy and its prolific acquisition activities.

The appointment is more than a simple leadership change; it represents a calculated move to pair a founder's deep-seated industry vision with a proven growth architect. With Meyerowitz at the operational helm and Bowlin directing strategy, Sunstar is doubling down on its ambition to consolidate its market position and expand its national footprint.

From Founder's Vision to Strategic Force

Under Casey Bowlin’s 13-year leadership, Sunstar grew from a startup into a formidable force in the insurance brokerage landscape. The firm’s success was built on a disciplined and effective acquisition strategy, creating an integrated hub-and-spoke model that now spans 58 agencies across nine states. This approach allowed acquired agencies to retain their local brand identity while benefiting from Sunstar's centralized resources and market access, a model that has been key to attracting high-caliber agency partners.

Bowlin's transition to Chairman is a strategic maneuver designed to leverage his entrepreneurial strengths more effectively. In his new capacity, he will provide guidance to the senior executive team and lend his expertise to the firm’s acquisition activities—the very engine of Sunstar's historical growth. This allows the firm to maintain continuity and institutional knowledge while bringing in a new leader to focus on scaling the increasingly complex organization.

“After 13 years of building Sunstar from the ground up, I could not be more confident that we have found the right person to lead our company into its next chapter,” said Bowlin in a statement. He noted a decade-long professional relationship with Meyerowitz, stating his conviction that his successor “brings the experience, the relationships and the operating instincts Sunstar needs at this stage of our growth.”

The Architect of Scale Takes the Helm

Adam Meyerowitz is not just a new CEO; he is a specialist in corporate scaling. His career is a testament to his ability to transform mid-sized brokerages into national powerhouses. His mandate at Sunstar is clear: accelerate growth by expanding the company's geographic footprint, scaling its capabilities, deepening carrier relationships, and continuing to attract top-tier agency partners.

His track record provides a blueprint for what Sunstar’s future may hold. In 2014, Meyerowitz co-founded Prime Risk Partners, which he helped build into a top 40 U.S. broker before its successful acquisition by EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants in 2019. At EPIC, he didn't slow down. He first served as a regional president before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2024. During his tenure, EPIC experienced explosive growth, expanding from a $300 million company to over $1 billion in revenue, a period during which Meyerowitz was responsible for overseeing retail operations, technology enablement, and strategic execution.

“Sunstar has built something genuinely rare in this industry—a people-first culture, a consistent growth model and a reputation that speaks for itself,” Meyerowitz stated. “My focus will be on building upon this foundation, continuing to demonstrate to our current and future partner firms why Sunstar provides the resources, expertise and support they need for success.”

The Private Equity Playbook in Action

The driving force behind this strategic realignment is Reverence Capital Partners, the financial services-focused private investment firm that acquired a majority stake in Sunstar in 2024. The appointment of Meyerowitz is a classic private equity move: install an experienced, growth-oriented executive to execute a plan for rapid expansion and value creation.

Reverence Capital, which manages over $14 billion in assets, was an active participant in the nationwide CEO search. The firm’s investment thesis in the insurance brokerage sector hinges on consolidation. The industry is characterized by strong free cash flow and a fragmented landscape of smaller agencies, making it a prime target for roll-up strategies. Private equity-backed buyers have dominated M&A activity, accounting for the vast majority of deals in recent years as they seek to build scale and efficiencies.

Milton Berlinski, Reverence Capital’s Managing Partner, praised Bowlin as “one of the great entrepreneurs in the insurance brokerage industry” and expressed excitement for the next phase. “Adam is exactly the kind of experienced, growth-oriented executive who can step in day one to lead the firm, and we look forward to supporting him and the entire Sunstar team as they write the next chapter of this company's story,” Berlinski commented.

Navigating a Competitive and Consolidating Market

As Meyerowitz takes charge, he faces both immense opportunity and significant challenges. The independent insurance brokerage market remains hot, with high valuations and intense competition for attractive acquisition targets. Sunstar’s success will depend on its ability to continue identifying and integrating quality agencies while navigating a landscape where the top buyers control a majority of the deals.

Internal integration will be just as critical as external growth. With over 930 professionals spread across dozens of legacy agencies, ensuring cultural cohesion and operational efficiency is a monumental task. Meyerowitz's experience as a COO will be invaluable in harmonizing technology platforms, streamlining processes, and fostering a unified culture that balances entrepreneurial autonomy with the demands of a large, integrated enterprise.

Sunstar’s President and COO, Greg Lottes, expressed confidence in the new leadership structure. “His experience and leadership in our industry will be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow and evolve as an organization,” Lottes said. “I look forward to partnering with him to continue the momentum we’ve all worked so hard to build.” This partnership between Meyerowitz's operational acumen and the existing leadership team's deep industry knowledge will be crucial as Sunstar aims to cement its status as a dominant national player.