Third Wave Insurance names Paul Casey chief acquisition officer

Third Wave Insurance appointed M&A veteran Paul Casey as chief acquisition officer on Oct. 1, 2026, as the brokerage platform pushes an aggressive acquisition plan. The move comes as the TPG-backed company expands in the Southeast and builds out technology and agency integration capabilities.

Why it matters: - Third Wave Insurance is leaning harder into acquisitions to expand faster and deepen its footprint across the Southeast. - The hire adds a senior M&A operator with integration experience as the company moves from launch mode into scaling mode. - The appointment supports Third Wave’s push into employee benefits, commercial property and casualty insurance, self-funded healthcare administration, retirement planning and wealth advisory services.

What happened: - Third Wave Insurance appointed Paul Casey as chief acquisition officer on Oct. 1, 2026. - Casey will report to Paul Vredenburg, Third Wave Insurance chairman and CEO. - The new role focuses on sourcing, structuring and integrating new agency partners. - Third Wave Insurance is a retail insurance brokerage platform backed by TPG. - Third Wave launched in January 2026 with Palmer & Cay as its flagship retail business.

The details: - Casey is an operating executive and M&A leader with experience in growth, strategic acquisitions and post-deal integration. - At AssuredPartners International, Casey served as chief operating officer and head of acquisitions and integration. - In that role, Casey led efforts tied to acquisition-led growth, operational efficiency and integration of acquired businesses. - Third Wave recently announced agreements to acquire five insurance and advisory firms across Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida. - Those acquisitions are expected to broaden Third Wave’s capabilities and expand its presence across the Southeast. - The company said it is also deploying newly developed technology capabilities as part of its growth plan. - Third Wave said the acquisitions will add depth in employee benefits, commercial property and casualty insurance, self-funded healthcare administration, retirement planning and wealth advisory services. - Third Wave describes itself as an insurance agency built to challenge the status quo and standardize execution. - The company says its producer-focused model is designed to remove friction and reward performance. - Third Wave says it is committed to building an enduring business powered by talent, technology, trust and long-term vision. - TPG is a global alternative asset management firm founded in San Francisco in 1992. - TPG reported $327 billion of assets under management.

Between the lines: - The Casey hire signals that Third Wave is prioritizing deal execution and integration as much as deal sourcing. - Bringing in an executive with both operating and M&A responsibility suggests the company wants acquisitions to translate into faster platform growth, not just a larger footprint. - The Southeast focus points to a regional consolidation strategy rather than a national expansion push.

What's next: - Third Wave is likely to continue pursuing agency acquisitions as it builds out its platform. - Casey’s mandate will center on turning signed deals into integrated businesses that can plug into Third Wave’s technology and operating model. - The company’s next phase will depend on how quickly it can combine acquired firms and capture cross-sell opportunities.

The bottom line: - Third Wave is betting that experienced M&A leadership will help it scale faster and integrate acquisitions more cleanly as it expands across the Southeast.

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