The Insurance Library has named Ryan Towle, president of Davis & Towle Insurance Group, as its 2026 Insurance Professional of the Year, recognizing his leadership in the independent insurance industry and contributions to the profession across New England.
Towle will receive the award during a luncheon gala on Sept. 25 at the InterContinental Boston.
Based in Concord, New Hampshire, Davis & Towle Insurance Group was founded in 1954 by Towle's grandfather, Wendell Towle. The agency expanded under the leadership of Towle's father, Jeffrey Towle, and has continued to grow under Ryan Towle, who has overseen a series of mergers and acquisitions during the past decade. Today, the organization includes 14 affiliated agencies operating under 12 local brands throughout New Hampshire.
In 2011, Towle helped establish the Northern United Agency Alliance, a partnership of four independent New Hampshire agencies that provides aggregation, products and operational support to independent agencies across New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts. He has served as the alliance's managing partner since its founding.
Towle, who holds the Certified Insurance Counselor designation, has also been active with the Big I of New Hampshire, serving in several leadership roles, including chairman of the board. His involvement has also included the organization's Young Agents Committee, Legislative Committee and Executive Search Committee.
"Ryan is a strategic, thoughtful leader and an even better person," Davis & Towle CEO Christopher Nicolopoulos said in a statement. "This recognition is well deserved, and all of us at Davis & Towle are proud to celebrate this achievement alongside him."
A native of Henniker, New Hampshire, Towle lives there with his wife, Beth, and their three children. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from New England College and has served on the college's President's Advisory Committee. His community service has included work with local youth sports organizations, town committees and the White Birch Center, where he served as treasurer.
The Insurance Professional of the Year Award was established through the Richard B. Simches Fund, created in 2001 to recognize outstanding leaders in the insurance industry. The award has been presented annually by The Insurance Library since 2002.
According to Executive Director Michael A. Pezza Jr., the award recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership while advancing understanding and respect for the insurance profession.
The Sept. 25 gala will include a networking reception, silent auction benefiting The Insurance Library's programs and operations, luncheon and award ceremony. Sponsorship and ticket information is expected to become available in mid-July.
