Our Team

Robert J. Hilb

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer

In recent years, Bob Hilb has served as Chairman and CEO of Dahlgren Investments, a Richmond, Virgina based investment company. Dahlgren currently owns two industrial supply businesses and one sales and marketing consulting business. All of the businesses acquired by Dahlgren have been in need of turnaround expertise and sales leadership. Both industrial supply businesses have more than doubled in sales and profitability since their acquisitions by Dahlgren.

Robert H. Hilb

Co-Founder and Chairman

Mr. Hilb has enjoyed a long and successful career in the insurance brokerage business. Starting in 1946 after his service to our country in World War II, Mr. Hilb joined the Chicago office of W.A. Alexander (now Willis) and went to DePaul University at night. In 1958, he formed Hilb-Downing, Inc, an independent agency in downtown Chicago. Hilb-Downing was sold to Fred S. James (now Marsh) in 1969 and Mr. Hilb remained as the head of the Chicago office and the Midwest regional director. In 1979 an opportunity presented itself that changed the landscape of the insurance brokerage industry.

John D. Austin

Chief Financial Officer

John joined the Hilb Group as Chief Financial Officer in 2009 bringing over 23 years of financial related experience. Prior to joing the Hilb Group, John has served in progressively responsible financial capacities with Performance Food Group Company, a Richmond based publicly traded foodservice distributor. John served as PFG’s Chief Financial Officer for 6 years, prior to selling the company to a consortium of private equity sponsors.

Jason S. Angus

Chief Marketing Officer

After merging his company, Venture Specialty Insurance, in September 2011 with the Hilb Group, Jason become Chief Marketing Officer. Jason was the founder, and President of Venture Specialty Insurance and in that capacity has the responsibility for all operations of the company. In starting Venture, Jason was involved in the development and implementation of the strategic marketing plan, carrier selection, program design, database development, process and workflow for submitting, quoting, binding and servicing all commercial auto accounts.

R. Judson Elliott, Jr.

Managing Director - Benefits

Jud has over 25 years of experience in the employee benefits industry and a broad understanding of the marketplace. After earning a Bachelors degree and a MBA from the University of Georgia, Jud began his career in the group insurance training program at The Travelers. After graduating at the top of his training class, he began a successful sales career in which he consistently produced top-tier results and progressed to positions of increasing responsibility in sales and sales leadership. He later joined Provident Life & Accident Insurance Co.

Jonathan A. Helitzer

Managing Director - Property & Casualty

With over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, Jonathan brings a varied background that includes international sales and underwriting, high-hazard casualty program business creation and implementation, alternative risk, and personal lines operations and management. As an employee of The Hartford, he worked within the company’s private equity investment and strategic ventures organization for five years and authored several insurance-related patent applications.