Liberty Company Insurance Brokers has undergone significant shifts in leadership as it emphasizes its strategic positioning against the backdrop of evolving AI technology in insurance distribution. The firm has elevated Adam Baillie to the role of president, expanded Bernadetta Scholz’s responsibilities to include chief operating officer alongside her existing position as CFO, and appointed Rob Jadon as its inaugural chief AI officer.
With a tenure at Liberty beginning in 2014 as a producer, Baillie has held a series of pivotal roles including managing partner and chief strategy officer. His promotion to president signifies a commitment to executing Liberty's strategic vision and driving alignment throughout the organization, supporting its ongoing growth trajectory.
Scholz has been with Liberty since 2021, making her mark as chief accounting officer before stepping into the CFO role in 2022. Her new responsibilities as COO will see her overseeing daily operations while maintaining her focus on financial strategy, leveraging her extensive experience in financial leadership across diverse sectors.
Jadon’s appointment as chief AI officer reflects the increasing necessity for brokerages to integrate advanced technologies. His role will be pivotal in harnessing AI to enhance client services, empower producers, and optimize internal operations, addressing a crucial gap in the firm's strategy.
These leadership changes come on the heels of a robust performance for Liberty, which reported a revenue increase of 16.3%, reaching $222.4 million in 2025. This growth particularly stands out against the average organic growth rate of 9.4% for independent agencies, as delineated in the Big "I" Best Practices Study. During the same year, Liberty successfully executed 12 partnerships and acquisitions, elevating its total deal count over 50 since 2019. The firm also secured a $525 million credit facility led by JPMorgan, underscoring its intent to fuel future expansions and bolster producer hiring.
The timing of Jadon's role is particularly salient given recent industry volatility. On February 9, 2026, publicly traded broker stocks experienced their most significant single-day decrease in years, sparked by the launch of AI-powered quoting systems by Insurify and Tuio integrated into ChatGPT. For instance, Willis Towers Watson's stock plummeted by 12%, marking its steepest drop since late 2008, while Aon and Arthur J. Gallagher saw their stocks each dip approximately 9% to 10%. This sell-off dragged the S&P 500 Insurance Index down by 3.9%, the largest one-day decline since October.
Despite the initial fallout, analysts suggest that the broad market reaction might have been overblown. They argue that these AI applications primarily address simpler personal lines such as auto and home insurance, while major brokers, including Liberty, derive most of their revenue from more complex commercial and specialty lines that still rely heavily on human expertise.
This episode has intensified scrutiny on brokerages to invest in technology and leadership capable of navigating the emerging AI-driven distribution frameworks alongside traditional brokerage models. Bill Johnson, chairman and CEO of Liberty, emphasized Baillie's substantial contributions over the past decade, stating, "He combines the mindset of a producer, the vision of a strategist, and the leadership of an operator." Johnson commended Baillie’s deep understanding of the organization, positioning him well for the next phase of growth.
In conjunction with these changes, Baillie voiced his commitment to Liberty, citing its exceptional culture and momentum as key drivers for continued success. Meanwhile, Scholz expressed her enthusiasm about her expanded role, emphasizing her dedication to supporting Liberty’s stakeholders.
As for Jadon, he acknowledged that success in applying AI depends on a thoughtful approach. He plans to focus on enhancing human expertise through AI rather than merely automating processes, stating, "The greatest opportunity is not simply to automate work, but to help our people make better decisions, move faster, and spend more time delivering the expertise and personal service our clients value most."
Liberty's new appointments come at a pivotal moment as the broader brokerage sector grapples with the implications of AI on its distribution strategies. The journey ahead is marked by challenges, but also significant opportunities for adaptation and growth.
