Member Case Study: Armac’s Ryan McEachron on 21 Years as Part of ISU Steadfast

Celebrating 21 years as a member, Ryan S. McEachron, CEO of Armac Insurance Agency, credits ISU Steadfast with helping his family-owned agency thrive in one of the country’s most challenging insurance markets.

A Legacy in the High Desert

Armac Insurance Agency was founded in 1962 by Ryan’s grandfather, Gordon McEachron, in Apple Valley, California, just east of Victorville, where the agency is now headquartered. Today, Armac is a multi-generational operation run by Ryan and his sister, Tami Pickens, who serves as president. Their mother, Barbara McEachron, remains actively involved, overseeing the agency’s accounting.

“We’re a third-generation agency,” Ryan notes, “and we’ve even got the fourth generation involved in the agency, with Tami’s daughter and stepson both working with us.”

With two office buildings in Victorville — one for personal lines and administration and the other for commercial lines and employee benefits — Armac operates as a full-service independent agency. The revenue split reflects a well-balanced book of business.

Joining ISU Steadfast for Market Access and Much More

Armac joined ISU Steadfast in 2004. “At the time, market access was a huge driver,” Ryan recalls. “The California insurance market wasn’t as bad then as it is now, but we already felt the limitations.” 

As an agency located in California’s High Desert, access to competitive carriers was becoming more challenging. In today’s climate, it’s even more so. “Carrier availability is tighter than ever in California, especially because of the wildfires and regulatory shifts. Having ISU Steadfast behind us has been critical.”

Profit Sharing: A Big Draw

Market access with ISU Steadfast has translated into direct business growth. 

“Before joining ISU Steadfast, we didn’t qualify for profit sharing with several other companies because we weren’t big enough. But with the other ISU Steadfast networks, we’ve seen our profit sharing grow substantially,” Ryan explains. “We’ve even helped bring new markets to the network. We did that with State Fund, working with another ISU Steadfast agency, Stephen B. Marvin in Lancaster. Together, we helped open up that market to the rest of the ISU Steadfast network in California.”

Competing Like the Big Brokers While Remaining Independent

Beyond carrier access and greater profit-sharing opportunities, Ryan says ISU Steadfast gave Armac the ability to compete on a larger playing field.

“Joining ISU Steadfast allowed us to play like one of the big boys without having to become one,” he says. “We go up against the large brokerages of the world, and ISU Steadfast gives us that same credibility while enabling us to maintain our independence.”

That independence is non-negotiable for Ryan. “We’ve been approached over the years with offers to sell,” he says. “But this is a family business, which has provided for our family for decades, and we’re not actively looking to sell. ISU Steadfast promotes and supports that kind of autonomy.”

The Power of the Network

When asked what he values most about ISU Steadfast beyond market access, profit sharing, and autonomy, Ryan doesn’t hesitate: “It’s the people. The network of agents.”

He participates regularly in ISU Steadfast’s annual conference and is part of a smaller Agency Principals group that meets virtually each month and gathers in person twice a year.

“We talk through what we’re all dealing with, including staffing challenges, technology, the use of AI, you name it,” he says. “Being able to lean on peers who’ve tried different solutions, tested new tools, or navigated similar issues has been invaluable.”

Ryan appreciates that this collaboration often saves time and prevents missteps. “If I’m considering a new tech platform or vendor, chances are someone in our network has already tested it. I don’t have to be the guinea pig. I can just call another member and ask, ‘Did it work? Was it worth it?’”

Growth Outlook Even in a Tough Market

Looking ahead, Ryan acknowledges that growth is not easy, especially in California. Despite a volatile market, Armac is staying the course. 

“We’re focused on working with ISU Steadfast to take advantage of whatever markets are available, and we’re talking with other California ISU Steadfast agents to find creative ways to grow,” Ryan says. “We also write in other states like Arizona, Nevada, Florida, Texas, and Illinois, so we’re always open to opportunities outside our home base.”

That kind of flexibility has served the agency well. “If a client has a second home in Arizona or a business in another state, we follow them there. Our footprint is bigger than just California because our client relationships are strong.”

A Message to Other Independent Agencies

For agencies considering joining ISU Steadfast, Ryan has a clear message:

“We would highly recommend becoming a member of the ISU Steadfast agency network, as it has helped our business grow and thrive with market access and profit sharing over the last 21 years,” he says.

Ryan also notes the human side of the business. “The network of agents has provided us with relationships that have benefited our agency as well as both of us personally,” he adds.

For Ryan and Armac Insurance, ISU Steadfast has been a path to long-term growth, competitive strength, and lasting independence. As the agency enters its seventh decade in business, that foundation remains as important as ever.