Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy

What Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy does

Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy, Inc. (GKG) is a fourth-generation, family-owned independent insurance agency headquartered at 210 Clinton Road in New Hartford, New York, with a second office in Clinton, New York (the former Burns Agency, acquired August 2023). The firm traces its corporate history to a 1904 founding in Utica, NY, and operates in its current form since a 1990 merger of E.F. & J.S. Kernan and Gilroy Insurance; ownership has remained within the Gilroy family, with Lawrence T. Gilroy III as CEO and his son Lawrence T. Gilroy IV as President since April 2024.

The company's core offering is a multi-line insurance and risk management practice organized around four primary service lines: Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, Employee Benefits (including ACA compliance and retirement planning), and Strategic Risk Management consulting. GKG represents more than 90 insurance carriers and serves approximately 3,400 clients across all 50 U.S. states and internationally, earning commissions from carriers for placed coverage and fees from ancillary risk-management and training services. Distribution is built around a field sales team of 'Strategic Business Advisors' who assemble client-specific teams using Kolbe Corp and InCite Performance Group assessment methodologies, supported by endorsed-partner status with multiple print-industry associations (PIA, PGCA, FGA, PINE), an Intersure partnership (one of only two in New York), and the proprietary 'Insurance Superheroes' training program.

The technology stack is centered on two client-facing portals: GKG Connection (24/7 self-service for certificates, auto ID cards, claims status, and certificate holder lists) and the corporate Client Portal (compliance calendars, notice builders, multi-state law comparison, total compensation builder, OSHA log, learning management, and safety manuals). Educational offerings extend the platform footprint: an 8-part Strategic Risk Management Fundamentals course (qualifying for 20 SHRM Professional Development Credits) and approved Defensive Driving courses. Talent is developed through a paid internship program and a 6–18 month Talent Development Track. The firm's institutional reputation is anchored by 19 consecutive years on the IIABA/Reagan Consulting Best Practices Agency list, a #1 Best Place to Work in New York State recognition, and 2022 Insurance Business America Top Insurance Employer designation.

Name

Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy

Legal name

Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy, Inc.

Website

https://gkgrisk.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1904

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy is a fourth-generation, family-owned independent insurance agency headquartered in New Hartford, NY that delivers Personal, Commercial, Employee Benefits, and Risk Management services to about 3,400 clients across all 50 states, with particular specialization in the print and graphic communications industry via association endorsements.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Insurance Brokerage Services

NAICS

Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (5242), Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Fee-Only Advisory (FSAEAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Employer Retirement Plan Advisory (401(k)/Pension) (FSAEABAE)

Keywords

• Commercial insurance
• Personal insurance
• Employee benefits
• Risk management
• Insurance agency

Headquarters

HQ city

New Hartford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Insurance Commissions: As an independent insurance agency, GKG earns commissions from insurance carriers for placing coverage on behalf of clients. Represents more than 90 insurance carriers.
2. Risk Management Services: Professional consulting and advisory services for strategic risk management, including the GKG University training programs and ACA compliance services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy is an independent insurance agency that places personal and commercial insurance coverage, employee benefits, retirement plans, and risk management solutions on behalf of clients by representing more than 90 insurance carriers. The firm also delivers strategic risk management consulting, ACA compliance services, defensive driving courses, and proprietary client portal tools under the GKG Connection™ and Client Portal™ brands.

Product overview

Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy (GKG) is a fourth-generation, family-owned independent insurance agency offering a comprehensive portfolio of insurance and risk management services. The core offering spans Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, Risk Management, Employee Benefits, and Retirement planning. The company operates client-facing service platforms including the GKG Client Portal (providing compliance tools, document access, and HR resources) and GKG Connection™ (offering 24/7 access to insurance certificates, auto ID cards, and claims management). Educational offerings include Strategic Risk Management Fundamentals (an 8-part GKG University course) and Defensive Driving Courses. The company also operates talent development programs including internships and a Talent Development Track for associates. GKG expanded its reach through the 2023 acquisition of The Burns Agency, which now operates as a GKG division. All services are delivered through a team of over 60 professionals serving clients across all 50 states.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Personal Lines Insurance Personal insurance coverage including home, auto, umbrella, and related personal coverage tailored to individual needs, with annual reviews to ensure coverage reflects current lifestyle and seasonal changes.
• Commercial Lines Insurance Business insurance coverage customized to commercial client risk management needs including property, general liability, commercial auto, cyber liability, workers' compensation, and business continuation coverage.
• Employee Benefits Health coverage, benefits strategy, ACA compliance, and retirement planning services for employers, including benefits design, compliance reporting, and strategic plan management.
• Strategic Risk Management Fundamentals (GKG University) An 8-part educational course covering Culture of Safety, Connecting Risk Management to Organizational Goals, Hazard Risk, Workers Compensation, Employee Engagement, Workplace Violence, Disaster Planning, Risk Transfer, and Root Cause Analysis. Course participants have seen an average Workers' Compensation Mod decrease of 19 points.
• Defensive Driving Courses Approved defensive driving courses that help participants refresh driving knowledge, reduce up to 4 points from NYS driving records, and receive auto insurance premium reductions of up to 10%.
• ACA Compliance Services Comprehensive Affordable Care Act compliance and reporting services including consultation on measurement periods, policy development, staff training, collective bargaining agreement review, monthly eligibility tracking, IRS reporting preparation (Forms 1094/1095-C), and ongoing compliance monitoring.
• GKG Connection™ A 24/7 online platform providing clients access to Certificate of Insurance, auto ID cards, up-to-date certificate holder lists, and claims reporting and status information.
• GKG Client Portal™ A corporate client toolbox providing thousands of on-demand resources including Health Plan Compliance Calendar, Compliance Notice Builder, Multi-State Law Comparison Tool, Total Compensation Builder, Job Description Builder, Learning Management System, Safety Manuals, OSHA Log, and Communication Templates.
• Retirement Planning Services Retirement plan design and administration services including the Print & Graphics Retirement Plan (401k MEP) for industry association members.
• Risk Management Consulting Strategic risk management consulting services for commercial clients, including safety program development, workers' compensation optimization, workplace violence mitigation, and disaster planning.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average Workers' Compensation Mod decreased by 19 points for Strategic Risk Management Fundamentals course participants
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• The Burns AgencystrategicOthers · 24 August 2023After 104 years and four generations, The Burns Agency was acquired by GKG. The Burns family legacy continues under GKG ownership with staff remaining at the Clinton office location serving clients as part of the GKG team.
• Printing Industries Alliance (PIA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2015GKG was recognized as the endorsed Risk Management and Employee Benefits specialist to PIA members. Through this partnership, GKG offers PIA members risk management services, discounted insurance products, and access to educational offerings. GKG was appointed to manage the New York State PIA Workers Compensation Safety Group Program.
• Florida Graphics Alliance (FGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGKG is the proud endorsed Strategic Insurance Partner for the Florida Graphics Alliance, providing commercial insurance, employee benefits, workers' compensation, and retirement planning services to FGA members.
• Print & Graphic Communications Association (PGCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGKG is the endorsed Strategic Insurance Partner for PGCA, recognized for strength and depth of knowledge in the graphic communications industry with creative ideas for risk and employee benefit issues.
• Printing Industries of New England (PINE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGKG is the endorsed Strategic Insurance Partner for Printing Industries of New England (PINE), providing print-specific insurance strategies and risk management solutions.
• IntersurecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn alliance of the best entrepreneurial and technical minds in the insurance industry. GKG is one of only two Intersure partners in New York State.
• InCite Performance Group (formerly Sitkins International)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerA select network of top insurance agencies in non-competing markets whose proven formula helps GKG clients reach their goals. Partner for training and methodology.
• Kolbe CorpstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining and testing partner for developing unique ability teams. Through intense testing and training, GKG develops insurance professionals into 'insurance superheroes' with specific strengths and unique abilities.
• MASA (Medical Assistance Services of America)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization that enables GKG to offer clients lifesaving emergency medical assistance, globally.
• IIABA (Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America) and Reagan ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIIABA and Reagan Consulting recognize GKG as having the best business practices in the industry. GKG is one of only 200 member agencies (out of 40,000) nationally. The Best Practices Study serves as a model for other insurance agencies.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• USI Insurance Services: Large national insurance brokerage with a comparable full-service stack (commercial, personal, benefits, retirement). A much larger broad incumbent competing for the same mid-market and enterprise client relationships.
• Lockton: Largest independent insurance brokerage globally with integrated risk, benefits, and retirement services. Relevant broad incumbent benchmark for service mix and enterprise positioning.

Direct peers

• Brown & Riding: Specialty insurance brokerage known for deep expertise in niche verticals and wholesale placements. Comparable in the specialty/vertical expertise orientation that GKG has built around the print industry.
• Hylant Group: Family-influenced independent insurance brokerage with a similar multi-line service stack spanning commercial, personal, benefits, and risk management. Closely comparable in culture, ownership profile, and client segment mix.
• Conner Strong & Buckelew: Regional independent insurance and risk management brokerage with integrated benefits and consulting offerings. Similar in culture, mid-market commercial focus, and consultative sales motion.
• IMA Financial Group: Independent insurance brokerage offering commercial, personal, benefits, and wealth management services. Closely comparable business model and full-service positioning relative to GKG.
• The Graham Company: Independent, family-influenced insurance and risk management agency with strong regional roots and comparable mid-market focus. Comparable in size, ownership structure, and emphasis on consulting-led client relationships.
• The Hilb Group: Middle-market insurance brokerage with a roll-up acquisition strategy and full-service commercial/personal/benefits focus. Directly comparable in go-to-market and growth playbook.
• RPS (Risk Placement Services): Specialty insurance brokerage and wholesale placement firm with deep carrier relationships. Comparable in the brokerage/intermediation function though heavier in specialty and wholesale placements than GKG's retail focus.
• Holmes Murphy: Independent insurance brokerage and risk management firm headquartered in the Midwest with comparable size and a strong employee benefits focus. Highly analogous to GKG's integrated commercial lines + benefits + risk consulting model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gkgrisk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gilroy-kernan-&-gilroy-insurance
• Instagraminstagram.com/gkgrisk
• Xx.com/gkgrisk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy