Frank Simpson Receives Merchants’ 2024 President’s Award
From left: Greg Robinson, Regional Vice President, Western Strategic Business Center; Frank Simpson, Sr. Territory Manager, WSBC; Charles Makey, President and Chief Executive Officer; Mike Wolfe, Sr. Vice President, Regional Operations
Merchants Insurance Group is proud to announce the recipient of the 2024 President’s Award: Frank Simpson, Senior Territory Manager, Western Strategic Business Center.
Since 1987, Merchants has recognized one distinguished colleague each year with the President’s Award, celebrating the recipient’s contributions and commitment to the company. Nominated by members of senior leadership, candidates for President’s Award exemplify Merchants’ core values: integrity, respect, loyalty, teamwork, and the aspiration to improve.
The recipient of the 2024 President’s Award is Frank Simpson, Sr. Territory Manager, Western Strategic Business Center. Charles E. Makey, III, President and Chief Executive Officer of Merchants Insurance Group, made the announcement at an all-company Colleague Recognition celebration on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
Charles Makey presents Frank Simpson with the 2024 President’s Award
Mr. Simpson joined Merchants Insurance Group as a Territory Manager for the Western Strategic Business Center’s Central New York and Capital District territory in June 2019. In his first year, his territory experienced a 71% growth in written premium and 25% overall growth in Commercial Lines, and his pattern of growth has continued each year to follow. In 2023, Mr. Simpson was promoted to his current title, Senior Territory Manager, and added Ohio to his territory, leading to a 5.8% growth in the state.
“Frank Simpson has been an asset to our Merchants team since he joined the company in 2019,” said Mr. Makey. “He embodies our core values in all his work. He has earned mutual respect in his relationships with colleagues and agents, and his collaborative approach to success and dedication to continuous improvement allow him to grow every day. I am proud and honored to recognize him with our 2024 President’s Award.”
From left: Charles Makey, President and Chief Executive Officer; Greg Robinson, Regional Vice President, Western Strategic Business Center; Frank Simpson, Sr. Territory Manager, WSBC; Mike Wolfe, Sr. Vice President, Regional Operations
Throughout his time at Merchants, Mr. Simpson has served as an advocate and liaison between underwriters and agent partners. He nurtures this vital relationships with initiative, dedication, and a genuine desire to help others succeed, according to Greg Robinson, Regional Vice President.
“Frank has been an exemplary advocate for his agents,” said Mr. Robinson. “He always seeks a mutually beneficial outcome and has been recognized by many of his agents for his efforts.”
Mr. Simpson has implemented creative ways to engage with agents. Amid the challenges posed by COVID-19 shutdowns, he began connecting with agents in a new way: an ongoing video series titled “Merchants Monday Minute.” Through this series, Mr. Simpson shares answers to frequently asked questions, helpful tips for navigating Merchants’ systems, overviews of products, and other topics with the intent of improving the agent experience. While initially created to connect with agents remotely, this series continues today.
His relationship focus extends beyond agents in his territory to all agent partners, colleagues, policyholders, and the community. He eagerly takes on opportunities to teach and train; he’s led sessions at Producer Training School to help agents in attendance gain a deeper understanding of Merchants products, prepared workshops, presented to risk management students for recruitment purposes, and traveled with new territory managers to provide hands-on training and assistance.
“When it comes to Merchants’ Core Value of ‘Aspiration to Improve,’ Frank is the ‘Energizer Bunny,’” said Mr. Robinson. “He has an A+ attitude and determination to grow his territory, advance his career, and help others succeed.”
Mr. Simpson is a member of the first-ever class of Merchants Insurance Group’s Leadership Development Program, which identifies high-potential colleagues within the company and provides guidance and training for advancement and professional development.
“I am honored to receive this prestigious award for 2024 and join the long list of past amazing honorees. This award highlights the company’s commitment to recognize and reward dedication to the Merchants Values, hard work, and results. I would have never have achieved any of the things I have without the support of my fellow colleagues throughout the company. It truly takes a village, and I am happy to live in this one!”
-Frank Simpson, Sr. Territory Manager, WSBC
Frank Simpson will join the ranks of previous President’s Award winners, listed on the first floor wall of Merchants Insurance Group’s corporate headquarters in Buffalo, New York.
