Stephens Insurance, LLC, an affiliate of Stephens Inc., an independent, full service investment banking firm, today announced the hiring of industry veterans John Braniff, Jr and Jonathan Plumhoff. Their significant insurance expertise and familial foundation in the industry will be fundamental to the expansion of Stephens Insurance in the Houston market, where the firm has seen strong demand.

Mr. Braniff joins Stephens as Executive Vice President with expertise in worldwide catastrophic property placements specific to the private equity, real estate, restaurant and energy sectors. As a third-generation insurance professional, he has most recently served as Senior Vice President in enterprise risk management and insurance services for USI Southwest. Mr. Braniff also worked for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and has been named a top business development leader by multiple organizations throughout his career.

Mr. Plumhoff will serve as Executive Vice President of the Benefits Group. Following in the footsteps of his father, Craig Plumhoff, Mr. Plumhoff has served as Vice President of Benefits at USI, where he was the lead consultant and one of the company’s strongest producers, leading USI nationally in new business production in 2013. Mr. Plumhoff was previously a Vice President at Plumhoff & Associates.

“Since establishing a presence in Houston last year, we’ve made significant inroads matching Stephens’ expertise with the insurance needs of area companies. Jonathan and Johnny will be essential members of our team,” stated Stuart Wallace, President of Stephens Insurance—Houston. “With years of combined experience and personal history in the insurance space, we look forward to the collaborative leadership and guidance that both will provide for the local team and our clients.”

Mr. Braniff commented, “I’m excited to work with Jonathan, my Houston colleagues and Stephens Insurance. Having come from generations of professionals in the insurance sector, I’ve always admired Stephens Inc.’s family-oriented approach. Stephens offers an opportunity to match Jonathan and my multi-generational backgrounds with a similar mindset and method to working with clients.”

The Stephens Insurance Houston office address is 9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1200, Houston, Texas 77046, phone number (855) 407-9850.

About Stephens Insurance LLC.

Stephens Insurance is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas and is one of the largest privately owned insurance brokerages in the mid-south. There are currently more than 170 associates throughout Stephens Insurance network of offices in Fayetteville, Jonesboro, Dallas, Austin, Jackson, and Houston.

About Stephens Inc.

Stephens Inc. is a full service investment banking firm headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. Since its inception in 1933, privately held Stephens Inc. has served a broad client base which includes corporations, state and local governments, financial institutions, institutional investors and individual investors throughout the United States and overseas. For more information, visit www.stephens.com.