Our History

We are proud to celebrate more than 60 years of success. See a timeline below of important milestones. To view a PDF version click here.

1959

Morales, Potter & Buckelew, Inc. is founded after Joseph Buckelew purchases the agency, Morales and Potter. Fifty years and many mergers and acquisitions later, the firm name honors Joseph’s involvement from the early days.

1965

Morales, Potter & Buckelew, Inc. agrees to purchase the Toms River Agency on March 1, 1966.

1967-1971

In five years, Morales, Potter & Buckelew, Inc. acquires four agencies: Phyllis Knowles, Beachwood Agency, Griggs Agency, Katherine Bahlburg Agency, Harold J. Fuccile Agency.

1979

George Norcross joins Zinman Grossman Lichtenstein Co.,a Philadelphia-based insurance brokerage founded in 1890, where he began a lifelong business partnership and friendship with Bob Tanke.

1980

The Zinman Group is purchased by E. H. Crump Companies and several years later George Norcross establishes Keystone National.

1981

Morales, Potter & Buckelew, Inc. agrees to merge with the Benjamin Novins Agency on November 2, 1981.

1983

Morales, Potter & Buckelew, Inc. and the Cardamone Agency, agree to merge operations on July 12, 1983.

1985

Keystone National expands its presence by opening an office in Florida. Keystone’s President, Bob Tanke, oversaw the operations of the new office located in “Tanketown, Florida.”

1996

Buckelew & Associates, headed by Joseph Buckelew, and Keystone National, headed by George Norcross, both agree to sell their operations to Commerce Bank. The combined entity becomes Commerce National Insurance Services.

1996-1999

After acquiring Buckelew & Associates and Keystone National, Commerce Bank acquires seven more agencies through 1999: Chesley & Cline, The Morrissey Agency, Associated Insurance Management, Inc., Reinhart & Associates, J.A. Montgomery Insurance, Mullaney Insurance Associates and William Handlan Associates.

1996-2007

Commerce Bancorp’s insurance division went through several name changes throughout the years, from Commerce National Insurance Services, to Commerce Insurance Services, to Commerce Banc Insurance Services.

2000-2007

Commerce acquires nine more agencies: Traber & Vreeland, Inc., Maywood Agency, Fitzsimmons Insurance & Financial Services, Inc., Business Training Systems, Brettler Financial Group, Sanford & Purvis Insurance, Porch Insurance Agency, Inc., PERMA Risk Management Consulting Services, Consultants for Corporate Benefits, Inc.

2001

The firm welcomes its inaugural internship class to provide students with hands-on experience that prepares them for a future career in the insurance industry.

2005

Commerce Insurance Services hires Michael Tiagwad as its new President.

2007

When TD Bank purchases Commerce, George Norcross and Mike Tiagwad agree to purchase Commerce Banc Insurance Services. The new company is named Commerce Insurance Services.

2008

Commerce Insurance Services is rebranded as Conner Strong Companies on July 21, 2008. The names Conner and Strong trace back to the ancestors of George and Sandy Norcross.

2009

Conner Strong opens a new corporate headquarters in Marlton, New Jersey, on June 1, 2009.

2010-2011

Conner Strong formally launches three affiliate companies – PERMA, J.A. Montgomery and AIM – designed to broaden the scope of services available to clients. This new structure allowed Conner Strong & Buckelew and its affiliates to concentrate on their respective core competencies, while delivering best-in-class results for all clients. 

2011

The firm adds “Buckelew” to its name and logo. The new name honors the lasting commitment of Mr. Joseph Buckelew, a man known for impeccable integrity, who has had a distinguished career and made significant contributions to the industry and firm.

2012

The firm moves into new offices in Two Liberty Place, a preeminent building in Philadelphia. The new office, which features 25,000 square-feet of world-class space, becomes the firm’s dual headquarters along with the office in Marlton. The firm also launches Conner Strong Captive Strategies as an independent affiliate of Conner Strong & Buckelew. The new affiliate was created to offer alternative risk solutions beyond the traditional insurance marketplace to clients with complex insurance needs.

2013

The firm holds its inaugural Community Day on June 7, 2013. Employees participated in 11 events serving those in need throughout New Jersey and the Philadelphia region.

2014

The firm opens office in New York City, headed by the former risk manager of the City of New York, focusing its efforts on the construction and real estate development sectors.

2016

The firm opens its first office in Boston and seventh office overall. The new location focuses on serving the growing life sciences and construction markets within the Boston region.

2018

The New York operations moved to a new space in the heart of the financial district in Lower Manhattan. The move came as a result of the tremendous recent growth experienced throughout the region.

2020

Conner Strong & Buckelew acquires Capital Management Enterprises.

2021

2022