Dobax And Carlin Merge To Create Major Construction Brokerage Firm In North East

Dobax Insurance, of Newton Centre, MA and Carlin Insurance, of Natick, MA have merged to create one of the largest contractor insurance brokerage firms on the East Coast.

Dan Quarella, formerly branch manager of Amwest Surety Insurance Company, will become president of the Dobax Division of Carlin Insurance, whilst Carlin Insurance executive vice president Frank Smith will continue to head the Carlin Insurance Surety Division.

"Dobax has serviced the construction industry exclusively for 23 years, handling many of the area's top large contractors," said Robert Morrissey, president and CEO of Carlin Insurance. "We are proud to be joining forces with this outstanding organization."

William Dobbins, chairman and CEO of Dobax, added, "Carlin Insurance has long been a major player in the construction and surety business and our alliance with them will be a very logical and suitable fit."

Dobax Insurance Agency has been providing its professional services to the construction industry in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island since June 1975. Carlin Insurance, combined with its affiliated employee benefits provider, Proctor Carlin & Company, is among the largest one percent of non-publicly-owned property casualty insurance brokers in the United States. The company was founded in 1967 by James F. Carlin, who is currently chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.

Michael D. Holmes, chairman of Carlin Insurance and former president of BayBank Harvard Trust Company, also commented on the merger. "There are enormous changes and consolidations taking place in the insurance brokerage business," said Holmes, "and Carlin Insurance is involved in an aggressive effort to consolidate with other top quality brokers, Dobax being an excellent example."