Keystone Insurers Group, with more than 230 franchise partners in seven states, today announced it will expand into Georgia during the second quarter of this year.

Vice President of Sales and Marketing Elizabeth Schenk, in announcing Keystone's expansion, said, "We anticipate launching Georgia in the second quarter with around 15 'pioneer' partners. That select group will set the direction for Keystone in Georgia and will dictate future partner opportunities. We place great confidence in that initial group. They are ultimately the ones who bring the best together."

Keystone plans to hold information meetings on May 1 in Macon, on May 2 in Savannah, on May 3 in Augusta and on May 4 in Atlanta. Every partner within the Keystone umbrella is an independent agency, individually owned and operated while benefitting from an enhanced array of services and support that comes with being part of the larger group. The model has proven so successful that over the past decade, Keystone has grown from 16 to 233 franchise partners -- all, for now, in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern regions of the country.

Schenk said Keystone is designed to enhance the value of an independent agency. She called the Keystone model "mutually beneficial" to the individual partners and the larger group.

"Keystone consistently provides greater opportunity," noted Schenk. "It's staffed with people who work for the partners and who treat others as they wish to be treated. Additionally, and maybe most importantly, our current Keystone partners in all seven states take an active role in populating a state, encouraging candidates and educating their peers to the benefits."