About Copper

By 2013, Wall Street and private equity groups had swept through Dayton, Ohio like a wrecking ball - buying, consolidating, and gutting independent insurance agencies. The relationship-driven system Tom Peterson had built his career in was left in ruins, as decades of trust, local knowledge, and autonomy were sacrificed to corporate greed, scale, and efficiency.

In the same year after the agency Tom worked at was acquired by private equity, we set out to build something different. During those early years, nearly everyone doubted us - including private equity, large agencies, competitors, and even banks that believed it was no longer possible to build an independent insurance agency from the ground up. We were underestimated and overlooked at every turn.

But in 2013, National Bank and Trust (now People’s Bank) looked past our shortcomings and gave us the loan we needed to open our agency in Springboro, Ohio, believing in our vision when others wouldn’t.

In 2016, we landed a large chemical manufacturer that required highly sophisticated commercial solutions, deep attention to detail, and complex risk strategies, and has since expanded to more than 28 locations across the United States. It became our turning point, proof that an independent agency built on connection and expertise could compete nationally.

After more than a decade operating as Driskell Peterson Insurance Agency, we reintroduced ourselves in January of 2024 as Copper Insurance Group, a name rooted in strength, durability, energy, and authentic connection.

Since the beginning, and especially following our rebrand, we are super proud of the people and relationships that make Copper what it is. Our team, our carrier partners, and everyone who believes in this vision are the reason we can stay true to who we are and continue building something that matters.