OIA thrives because of the strength and passion of its volunteer leaders, and that impact is only strengthened by individuals who bring fresh perspective and a commitment to growth. Some of the most impactful leaders in the independent agency system are those who chose this industry for the opportunities it provides – and that’s exactly the path Cameron Caryer took. We’re excited to welcome him to the OIA Board of Directors, where his focus on relationships, collaboration, and advocacy will help move the association and the industry forward.
Cameron began his professional career in corporate sales, where he developed strong relationship-building skills. After a few years, he was approached by his wife’s uncle, a former owner of Frost Insurance, about joining the agency. He was immediately drawn in by the potential of the industry and the opportunity to shape his own career path and destiny. At the time, his corporate role involved a lot of travel, and his family was looking to settle in the area, making the transition a natural fit. His background in corporate sales, along with a strong sales and marketing education from the University of Toledo, prepared him well for this shift and helped him build meaningful client relationships early on.
After about five years with the agency, Cameron began buying in as an owner. Today, Frost Insurance has five owners. While there are no familial ties between them, the agency has maintained the close, collaborative culture of a family-owned business. They focus on bringing in forward thinking individuals who are motivated to grow and drive change, which ultimately lays the foundation and encourages the rest of their staff to want to make progress and not just stick to the status quo.
Cameron credits much of his growth at Frost to their in-depth sales training. Starting in personal lines gave him the runway to truly learn about the industry and coverage details before moving into commercial lines. Frost’s company trainings covered not only insurance knowledge but also communicated the value an independent agent provides to their clients, which was invaluable to his development.
Before joining the OIA Board of Directors, Cameron was involved with OIA’s advocacy and legislative efforts. In 2019, he received Westfield’s scholarship to attend the Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., which he found extremely beneficial. The experience allowed him to engage in meaningful conversations and see firsthand how agents are represented at the national level.
As the newest Board member, Cameron looks forward to continuing these important conversations that support agents and strengthen the independent agency system. He’s passionate about connecting agents, sharing ideas, supporting the IA community, and advocating for its future.
Outside of work, Cameron spends most of his time with his wife, cheering his four daughters on at their various sporting events. He also enjoys golfing when his schedule allows. Additionally, Cameron is active in his church community, where he serves on their board and plays drums in the church band.
Whether supporting his daughters’ teams or advising clients on risk, Cameron has demonstrated his strong commitment to strengthening his local community, the IA Community, and the OIA as a whole.
About the Author:
Colleen Elliott is the Marketing & Communications Manager for OIA and IA Valuations. Colleen graduated from The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and has a background in sales and marketing. Colleen manages marketing campaigns for OIA and IA Valuations, communications with agents and state partners, and helps the IA Valuations team from an operational perspective. Colleen joined OIA in January 2023.
