Loesel-Schaaf Insurance Agency is celebrating a major milestone in 2025 — providing a century of service to its clients in the tri-state region and across 42 states.
What began as a one-man insurance agency in Erie, Pennsylvania, has grown into a 27-person firm, offering families and businesses peace of mind through dependable insurance coverage. As the Agency marks its 100th year, it looks back on a century of building relationships and adapting to change, all the while staying true to its founding mission: to help protect what matters most.
“Our centennial anniversary isn’t just about us as a business,” explains Chairman of the Board Doug Loesel, CPCU, the Agency’s third-generation leader. “It’s about the relationships we’ve built, the families
we’ve protected, and the businesses we’ve helped grow. It’s about the trust our clients have placed in us for generations.”
A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
Loesel-Schaaf traces its roots back to 1925 when Doug’s grandfather, George O. Loesel, founded the George O. Loesel Insurance Agency. George was a sub-agent for the W. S. Reitzell Company, representing The Hartford Insurance Company, and subsequently, Travelers Insurance Company — carriers the Agency still represents today.
At that time, the Loesel Insurance Agency was located on the corner of 7th and Sassafras Streets near Gannon University where George had a small office on the first floor. Most of his clients were neighbors and Erie Yacht Club members, who looked to him for personalized service and an understanding of the coverage they needed most.
An independent firm, built on honesty and integrity, the Loesel Insurance Agency became a reputable leader in the area and continued to attract new customers when George’s sons, Richard and Gilbert “Gib” Loesel, joined the business — Richard in 1955 as a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve, and Gib following his service in the U.S. Navy in 1963. The two brought a fresh energy, expanding the Agency’s scope and strengthening its reputation for integrity and reliability.
Soon, the Agency marked its first acquisition with the W.S. Reitzell Company in 1965. By 1970, the year George retired, the Agency moved to 532 West 8th Street. Over time, more family members joined the firm. In 1976, Richard’s daughter, Amy (Mitchell), came aboard as the first computer system was integrated into the family business. Doug followed suit in 1979, after his graduation from Penn State University.
With the new decade came major acquisitions, first with the purchase of the Fred Pence Agency. Then, in 1981, the Loesel Insurance Agency and Allen Schaaf Agency and its owner, Charles W. “Chuck” Schaaf, merged to form the Loesel-Schaaf Insurance Agency — the name it has operated under ever since.
“Merging the two agencies was a pivotal moment,” explains Doug. “It was a blending of expertise and shared values that set us on a path for growth and innovation.” Loesel-Schaaf then acquired the John J. O’Connor Agency.
In 1991, Loesel-Schaaf acquired the Doyle Peffer Parlak Agency and its owner, Joseph Parlak, became a partner. By 1996, Loesel- Schaaf moved to its current location at 3537 West 12th Street in Millcreek
Township, formerly the headquarters of the Manufacturer & Business Association in Erie.
President Eric Consiglio, RHU, REBC and Assistant Vice President and Manager Kathleen Aranyos, SPHR, became partners upon the retirement of Chuck Schaaf in 2002. Vice President Patrick Wachter, CIC, became a partner upon the retirement of Joe Parlak in 2014. In 2021, Vice President and Treasurer Thomas P. “T.J.” Richter Jr., CIC, became a partner as Doug began plans to retire. Amy Mitchell retired in 2021, shortly before Loesel-Schaaf acquired the S.A. Wagner Agency in 2022.
According to Doug, the Agency’s leadership has always lived by the guiding principle: to leave
it better than they found it. “My father (Rich) and uncle (Gib) learned under the tutelage of my grandfather,” says Doug. “I, in turn, learned a great deal from the two of them and Chuck Schaaf. I like to think I have been returning the favor with the younger generation who are taking over the reins from me.”
TAILORED SOLUTIONS FOR BUSINESSES AND FAMILIES
Loesel-Schaaf’s longevity is due in part to its ability to meet the diverse needs of its clients — both individuals and businesses.
For individuals, Loesel-Schaaf provides personal insurance solutions, such as auto, home, health, life insurance, and Medicare options. For businesses, the Agency offers all lines of insurance coverage: Business/ Commercial Insurance, Employee Benefits/ Health, Life and more. In addition to those lines of business, Loesel-Schaaf offers an HRIS tool, which helps employers automate benefits administration and track various tasks such as onboarding. They also offer COBRA services and HR resources.
“Insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all,” Richter explains. “Every client is unique, and our job is to create solutions that fit their specific circumstances.”
As with other areas of business, insurance is constantly evolving. According to Richter, “What was once a fender-bender with a quick and easy repair now has to go through recalibration of sensors in a car in order for the vehicle’s system to work properly. Front-facing cameras aren’t a cheap date if a rock accidentally nicks the lens while driving down the highway.”
Cyber liability is an evolving market and product offering. Loesel-Schaaf strongly believes in Employment Practices Liability Insurance, which has evolved over time given the litigious nature of society.
From an Employee Benefits and health insurance standpoint, Loesel-Schaaf’s team is always seeking out strategies that benefit employers and their employees by finding ways to reduce overall exposure and use what once was an expense line item as a retained earnings line item.
According to Richter, Medicare is experiencing some changes too that could significantly affect employees’ decisions on health insurance. Loesel- Schaaf is educating clientele on their new options within the Medicare system.
Life insurance remains as important as ever. “We all know — some more than others — that tragedy strikes unexpectedly,” states Richter. “Businesses and individuals alike should keep life insurance at the forefront of their risk management checklist. If a building burns, it can be replaced — the same can’t be said for a life.”
Loesel-Schaaf is proud to have helped many families and businesses recover from devastating losses. “I have seen homes totally destroyed and rebuilt, businesses burn to the ground and build up bigger and better than they were,” says Doug. “Many businesses that suffer a total loss never rebuild and go out of business. We have had the right insurance for our clients giving them the ability to rebuild and stay in business. Getting clients back to their pre-loss condition is our expectation. That is what insurance is designed to do, we all pay premiums to pay for the damages of the few who are faced with an unexpected event, like an accident, illness, natural disaster or other unexpected circumstances.”
The key to a successful broker-client relation- ship is to keep the lines of communication open. “The more we know, the better we can do our job and protect you, your business and your personal assets,” adds Pat Wachter. “It’s important to be as thorough as possible with your insurance broker — similar to an accountant, attorney or physician; If we don’t know about something, we may not provide you with the coverage(s) that you need.”
Loesel-Schaaf has partnered with several specialists in and around the tri-state area to enhance its playbook. These partnerships enable the Agency to provide some nontraditional, out-of-the-box approaches to risk management. “No two clients are alike, so we need to be innovative to remain relevant — particularly, with our more complex accounts,” says Wachter. “It’s collaborations like that which help us provide our clients with the best options available in the market.”
NAVIGATING CHALLENGES AND EMBRACING CHANGE
Reaching 100 years hasn’t been without challenges. The insurance industry has changed dramatically over the past century, from shifts in regulations to the rise of digital tools and online platforms.
Loesel-Schaaf’s ability to evolve has been particularly important during times of economic uncertainty, such as the Great Depression, recessions, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve weathered tough times by staying focused on our mission and helping people protect what’s most important to them,” Wachter says.
Loesel-Schaaf also is extremely proud to be one of the few insurance agencies to remain locally owned. “We feel that gives us a leg up in that decisions begin and end here in Erie,” Wachter says. “We don’t have to answer to a regional office or shareholders which makes the ease of doing business with us unmatched. We pride ourselves in our national reach of clientele — all of which takes place in town.”
“We’re also extremely proud to be an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company,” adds Richter. “Essentially, every one of us owns a piece of Loesel-Schaaf. Each year, we contribute a percentage of every employee’s earnings into a retirement account that belongs to the employee after a standard vesting period. There is no employee contribution — it is 100-percent Agency money invested back into Agency employees.”
Additionally, “we’re proud to be unique in the sense that there aren’t many agencies with a dual focus on Employee Benefits and Property and Casualty,” he says. “By having specialists within each market segment, we’ve positioned ourselves to be able to provide coverage for anyone in need.”
A TEAM THAT FEELS LIKE FAMILY
One of Loesel-Schaaf’s greatest strengths is its staff of 27 professionals. From one generation to the next, the Agency has fostered a family- like atmosphere — a culture that has led to longstanding retention and engagement.
“Our ethical integrity is paramount, and we are constantly making sure that is front and center with our staff,” explains Doug. “Education is encouraged to keep our staff at the forefront with industry knowledge. Our longevity is a result of the many employees who have worked for the Agency for 20-plus years. We have had stability and staff that is and has been second to none.”
For instance, while Doug has been at the Agency for 46 years, Mike Elia and Kathy A. will be celebrating 33 years! Ann Filipowski has 30 years’ service, while Frank Riley, Jennifer DeForce, Eric Consiglio and Doreen Welch mark 29 years; Tracy Stanley, 27, and both Cathy Fisher and Heather Himes have 25.
“I believe the family atmosphere, combined with open and honest communication transcends time and generations,” Aranyos explains. “We have modified the way we work, the way to do business and the flexibility today with alternate work schedules providing our employees with the work-life balance they need. We try to accommodate individualized needs while maintaining a level of service our clients deserve and have come to expect.”
Loesel-Schaaf also encourages continuing education and training to help its employees grow and achieve personal goals. The Agency keeps its team up on industry trends through various methods, from one-on-one coaching, industry based internal training programs, webinars, in-person classes, weekly — and sometimes daily — departmental meetings — and ongoing continuing education programs. The Agency also recommends specialized professional designations/ certifications; giving staff time to study and pursue these programs during work hours with financial reimbursement for classes.
“Our staff is really good at what they do. They care about the work they do,” says Aranyos. “That drives results and client satisfaction which drives our growth. The partners also have a great relationship, which in turn filters down, impacting staff relationships. For a large agency, we’re still family.”
Loesel-Schaaf has made its work culture supportive and fun. The Agency promotes “Festive, Food and Fun” by celebrating various “days” of the year, including Food Truck visits, SeaWolves games, staff food competition for the “Golden Skillet” award, holiday celebrations, Employee Appreciation days, Employee Service Awards, monthly birthday breakfasts, random early dismissals and blue jean Fridays with weekly contributions matched and donated to one of its nonprofit clients.
A DEEP COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY
Loesel-Schaaf is deeply committed to giving back to the community that has supported it for the past 100 years. The Agency regularly sponsors local events, and supports nonprofits through donations and volunteer efforts.
“We’re part of this community,” Doug says. “It’s where we live, work, and raise our families. Giving back isn’t just something we do — it’s who we are.”
Employees are encouraged to volunteer with local organizations, and many hold leadership roles in nonprofits. For example, the Agency has supported numerous nonprofits over the years; financially, serving on Boards and committees, and working for their fundraisers, such as the WQLN auction, Big Brothers/Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake, EHCA annual Galla and various causes of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Loesel-Schaaf has also been a supporter of the City of Erie’s “Celebrate Erie” events, and its staff has generously given to support local causes holding various food/clothing drives and military donations. Community service is encouraged and supported.
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE NEXT CENTURY
As Loesel-Schaaf prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary, the Agency isn’t resting on its laurels. Instead, it’s looking ahead to the future.
“We’ve recently added several new members to our agency and plan to maintain that trajectory,” states President and Partner Eric Consiglio.
Consiglio believes the current team is one of the best it has had in his time there. “We have staff with years of agency knowledge to share, combined with several others who have joined our agency after working for various insurance carriers,” he says.
“Those two knowledge bases coming together is really powerful because we’re able to look through different lenses when creating solutions for our clients and prospective clients. We also have some staff who bring experience from other industries which helps us think outside of our bubble and gives us an opportunity to see things from a non-insurance perspective, which can be equally as impactful.”
Loesel-Schaaf’s plans for the future include growing organically as well as looking for potential acquisitions and partnerships with other agencies similar to Loesel- Schaaf. “We are always looking for like- minded partners to team up with and create positive scenarios and outcomes for all parties involved,” says Consiglio.
Consiglio considers himself fortunate to have been able to call Loesel-Schaaf home since 1995. Over those years, he’s been a part of multiple leadership teams — all of whom he’s learned a great deal from.
“My goal is to take the knowledge that I’ve gained from my colleagues over the years and bestow it upon the future leaders of our Agency. Anything existing for 100 years isn’t accidental,” he says. “In order for the next generation to succeed, we need to stay in tune with industry trends and use them to our clients’ advantage so that they remain confident in their decision to work with our Agency. “
As the Loesel-Schaaf’s leadership reflects on the Agency’s journey, they remain deeply grateful to the clients, employees, and community members who have been part of its story.
“First and foremost, we would like to thank each and every client that we’ve partnered with over the years. Thank you for putting your trust in our team to protect you, your business and your family,” says Consiglio. “Next, thank you to our team. Over the years, we’ve had some very talented people join Loesel-Schaaf — many of whom are still working with us today.”
Consiglio continues: “To the founders of our Agency — particularly the Loesel and Schaaf families — thank you. Without your steadfastness and foresight throughout the past 100 years, none of us would be here. You’ve impacted countless lives and paved the way for a successful, multigenerational business that we’re happy to be bringing into a new era.”
For more information, visit LSinsure.com.
