Affinity has been our single focus for more than 60 years.
AGIA has grown steadily from a small insurance agency in the late 1950s to what we are today: a technologically advanced, multi-faceted, full-service broker, marketer, and administrator managing insurance and non-insurance benefit programs for over 100 affinity groups representing over 30,000,000 members.
"The right product, to the right member, at the right time."
James B. Wigle, CLU
John B. Wigle, RHU
James Wigle founded AGIA in 1956 when he pioneered a program marketing group insurance through the mail to identifiable groups.
Over time, Jim refined his model of offering special benefits to group members based on the unique needs of each group.
When John Wigle joined AGIA in 1976, he continued to build on the foundation created by his father. John kept our focus on meeting specific needs of each membership group and customized product benefits to best fit the needs of their members.
Innovation, delivering a great member experience, and protecting the client brands entrusted to us were John’s hallmarks, and they live on today at AGIA.
With no silos, and a commitment to smooth, hassle-free program management for clients, AGIA has become the largest privately-held third party broker, marketer, and administrator in the affinity marketplace.
AGIA Affinity Leadership
Matthew Bishop
President and CEO
Matt joined AGIA as President and CEO in 2023. With more than 15 years of experience in the insurance industry Matt brings the expertise and entrepreneurial drive to leverage AGIA’s existing foundation and perpetuate the company’s growth objectives. Matt’s focus is continuing to provide best in class service to our clients and members. We appreciate the partnership and support!
Additionally, Matt is positioning the company to expand on core competencies to lead AGIA into new strategic partnerships and new markets.
Prior to joining AGIA, Matt served as senior vice president and head of strategic partnerships for Farmers Insurance where he managed their brokered solutions and affinity/partnerships groups across all insurance lines of business.
Matt serves as chairman of the board for Independence Hub, a national non-profit focused on helping neuro-divergent people succeed in insurance.
Julie L. Capritto
Senior Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer
Julie joined AGIA in 1987 and serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. She manages all aspects of customer facing and corporate operations, new business onboarding, information systems and human resources. She has extensive financial and process experience including public sector accounting and auditing, as well as nonprofit accounting and consulting in business management and accounting system analysis.
Julie serves on the Boards of the following organizations: Board President for Domestic Violence Solutions of Santa Barbara County; Director UCSB Alumni Association; and Business Giving Roundtable Advisory Committee. Previously, Julie has served on: Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara Membership and Steering Committees, Friends of VADA Santa Barbara High School; Santa Barbara Middle School; and Santa Barbara County Parks Foundation.
Andrew Dowen
Senior Vice President Finance, Chief Financial Officer
Andrew joined AGIA in 1990 and serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Under Andrew's direction, our Corporate Finance Division has achieved high levels of performance in the areas of corporate treasury management, financial reporting, and audit management. In addition to the overall planning, development and management of AGIA's financial systems, he is also responsible for premium accounting, billing, licensing, risk management, and compliance.
Andrew is currently the Board President of Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Santa Barbara, CA.
Susan Roe
Vice President,
Marketing
Susan joined AGIA in 1997 and serves as the Vice President of Marketing. She leads the Insurance Marketing Team in the creation and implementation of highly successful and effective marketing plans with a focus on large Affinity and Association clients. Additionally, she leads the Database Marketing, E-Commerce, Creative Services and Print Production Departments within AGIA’s Marketing Division.
Susan has over 30 years of marketing expertise in providing clients with profitable marketing plans utilizing an omni-channel approach to targeting Association and Affinity clients and their members.
Susan is a member of PIMA and volunteers for Hospice of Santa Barbara as a patient care provider.
Carl A. Adamek
Senior Vice President,
Account Management
Carl joined AGIA in 2008 and serves as Senior Vice President of Account Management. His team is responsible for the overall partnerships AGIA has with its clients, carriers, and service providers. He started his career over 25 years ago, as an actuary in a large insurance company, and broker/third party administrators.
Carl is a recent Past President and Board of Directors member of the Professional Insurance Marketing Association (PIMA). Previously, he served on the Board of Directors of the Peoria, IL Symphony, and currently serves as a Board member for Minnetonka, MN Police Department, and the Minnetonka, MN Public Schools Foundation.
Scott Whitaker
Senior Vice President,
Business Development
Scott joined AGIA in 2019 as Senior Vice President of Business Development, and brings with him over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. Scott is responsible for formulating and leading the implementation of strategies necessary to achieve increased new business revenue through new client relationships,
Scott brings extensive industry knowledge, previously holding leadership positions at Cigna, Aon, Marsh & McLennan and Pearl Insurance. His experience spans the continuum of sales, marketing, risk management, finance, reinsurance and claims management.
He holds an MBA degree from Belmont University in Nashville and a BS degree from the University of Tennessee.
Scott is a member of PIMA, APAGIA and the Professional Liability Underwriting Society; he is also a licensed producer for Life & Health, Property & Casualty and Surplus Lines insurance.
Scott is a volunteer at Room in the Inn in Nashville.
Amy Watts
Senior Vice President, Marketing
Amy joined AGIA in 2003 and serves as Vice President for AGIA’s travel, rescue and security subsidiary, WRS, Inc. Amy has over 15 years of experience in marketing, with a specialized focus in direct marketing to various affinity, professional, union and loyalty groups. She leads a group of individuals who work hand in glove across the organization from marketing through to administration, to ensure that AGIA’s clients’ members receive a superior customer experience. Amy specializes in product and marketing innovation, and her efforts have created industry leading growth and retention rates for the travel assistance business.
Amy is a regular volunteer at the Ventura County Ballet and Ventura YMCA.
J. Christopher Burke
Executive Consultant
Chris served as AGIA’s President and CEO from 2016-2022. He consults with the executive team on AGIA strategy and execution to accomplish the company’s mission of providing value to our affinity group members and growing client revenue.
Prior to joining AGIA, Chris served as president of the American Medical Association’s insurance subsidiary, and has held a number of senior leadership roles throughout his 30-year career in the insurance industry spanning sales, marketing and operations.
He holds an MBA (magna cum laude) from the University of Notre Dame and a B.S. in Management from the University of Indianapolis.