History

1970s

In 1970, FDI Group began as Financial Designs, Inc. with Robert Churella at the helm. Robert’s ability to connect with people and understand their amount of risk exposure lead FDI to be a prosperous insurance brokerage. Robert’s growing business could match customers with just the right Property & Casualty, Life, Health and/or Disability coverage. He even became well-versed in the niche of selling insurance to medical professionals and organizations. Throughout the 70’s and early 80’s, FDI served a broad client base with specialty insurance products that advanced with the world’s challenges and opportunities.

1980s

Robert’s son Mark joined the company in 1984 and helped lead FDI’s insurance brokerage team through the mid-to-late 80’s, bringing a new perspective to the quality long associated with his father’s company. Mark and Robert expanded FDI to offer new services to insurance companies, such as a Managing General Agency under Health Care Administrators in 1985 and Medical Bill Review services under ManageAbility in 1988.

1990s

From there, the company marched into the 90’s with the extension of the retail-side of business by acquiring the respected and independent George B. Ford Agency, which was founded in 1938, allowing FDI to align with more insurance carriers and expand its resources. 1993 saw the launch of USI&C, a captive insurance carrier, and FDI Risk Managers, providing alternative risk solutions.

Under Mark’s leadership, FDI acquired Startech Software in 1997, which gained clients and internal companies access to a full Claims Management and Medical Bill Review software platform.

2000-2010

CompOne Administrators was founded in 2001 as a third party administrator for self-insured workers’ compensation.

Mark’s son Mark Jr. joined the company in 2003 working with CompOne, ManageAbility and Startech, and later moved into a producer role with the George B. Ford Agency. In 2008, Mark Jr. was promoted to EVP/COO of George B. Ford. He leads a team of agents with the same approach his grandfather had as an insurance broker: matching clients with the best possible coverage for their amount of risk.

2010-Present Day

CompOne acquired the TPA service agreements from Accident Fund Insurance Company of America in 2010, expanding their footprint of business and growing into one of the largest Michigan based TPA’s.

Mark’s son Ryan joined the company in 2010 as Account Executive with CompOne, and now helps lead operations with the companies that center around claims management: CompOne Administrators, ManageAbility, MAI IME, Rizikon, and Startech.

Like Robert, Mark and his sons are able to keep a pulse on the growing needs of the risk, liability, claims and insurance industries. Over the past five years, they have started two new companies: Manageability IME (Independent Medical Evaluations) in 2014 and Rizikon (Risk Management, Safety & Loss Prevention) in 2015.

Both Ryan and Mark Jr. bring fresh ideas that build upon the legacy their grandfather and father built, and all three generations are actively involved in the day-to-day operations.