Insurance
Home›Insurance›Industry & Deals›Shepherd Insurance hires Gallagher veteran to lead emp…
Shepherd Insurance hires Gallagher veteran to lead employee benefits
The hire comes as forecasts project employer healthcare costs to rise 6.5% to 9.5% in 2026, the steepest increase in about 15 years.
Shepherd Insurance has named Matt Kleymeyer president of its employee benefits division, a move aimed at strengthening dedicated benefits leadership at the Carmel, Indiana based firm.
Kleymeyer brings nearly 20 years of employee benefits experience, with prior roles spanning sales, client service, operations, and leadership across small and large group markets. Before joining Shepherd, he served at Gallagher as area executive vice president and Indiana market leader, after growing and selling an employee benefits agency he co-founded.
At Shepherd, he will work with Steve Gregory, Shannon Russell, and Susie Brancheau as the practice focuses on strategic growth, talent development, carrier relationships, and expanding benefits offerings. Kleymeyer said he was drawn to the caliber of the team and the client relationships built over decades.
The appointment reflects intensifying demands in the benefits market as employer sponsored healthcare costs are projected to rise between 6.5% and 9.5% in 2026, according to surveys cited by Insurance Business from Mercer, PwC, and Aon. The outlet also points to a 2025 Zywave broker survey finding that balancing competitive benefits with rising costs is employers' top HR concern.