How we Help!
Protecting Assets
With well over a decade of commercial insurance experience, we help clients prepare for the unknown. As a boutique style independent insurance agency, we work on behalf of our clients vs. one specific carrier, though we have access to well over 100 markets.
Without big corporate overhead or hedge fund Gods to fuel, our mission is to serve as a trusted risk advisor for clients, in their corner for advocacy while keeping both coverage and cost in mind.
Commercial/Business Insurance
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance
- General Liability Insurance
- Professional Liability
- Errors & Omissions (E&O)
- Medical & Legal Malpractice
- Educators Legal Liability
- Law Enforcement Liability
- Abuse & Molestation
- Management Liability
- Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)
- Directors & Officers (D&O)
- Fiduciary Liability
- Employee Benefits Liability (EBL)
- Crime/Employee Dishonesty
- Pollution Liability
- Cyber Liability
- Liquor Liability
- Professional Liability
- Commercial Property
- Fire & Hazard
- Business Personal Property
- Inland Marine Insurance
- Contractors Tools & Equipment
- Builders Risk
- Business Owner's Policy (BOP - combined small commercial package)
- Commercial/Fleet Auto Insurance
- Cargo Insurance
- Surety Bonds
- License & Permit Bonds
- Construction Bonds
- Court Bonds
- Fidelity Bonds
- Specialty Programs (Education, Municipalities & Other Governmental Agencies, Non-profits)
We take a consultative approach with access to many products and carriers to offer optimum coverage packages with sensitivity to price. Though we can certainly get quotes from a number of highly rated carriers, we want to truly know our clients and their needs and we can help design an all encompassing risk management plan to suit our valued clients.
Assessing Need
What would happen if your organization was served with a lawsuit, your location had a loss such as a fire, or you had an employee injury?
Do you have a dedicated agent who is available to support your risk management needs?
Schedule a meeting for a complimentary review of your current insurance and risk management program.
Building Relationships
Everyone has different insurance needs, but the coverage is the easy part of it. Though we work to offer a personalized assessment, most importantly we want to get to know our clients and how we can best support them.
We're in this for the long haul and work to build longstanding business relationships with our clients and referral partners alike.
The best part? We don't work with "just anybody" so you don't have to worry about us stalking you into submission. We'll leave that to the commoditized brokers.
Meet the Core of Ascent!
Jodie Lyons - Founder & Managing Principal
Jodie has been a dedicated professional in the commercial insurance industry since 2011, with a strong foundation in public sector risk management. As a senior underwriter for the Colorado School Districts Self Insurance Pool (CSDSIP) and the Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency (CIRSA), she gained extensive experience in protecting public entities.
In 2019, Jodie transitioned to the private sector, joining a large regional brokerage specializing in high-volume workers' compensation. She quickly became a top producer but found herself restricted in an environment that prioritized sales over true client advocacy—something that didn’t align with her values.
As Jodie puts it: “I didn’t want to become another cog in a corporate wheel. I knew there had to be a better way—one that combined a personalized approach with broad market access. So, I BET IT ALL and set out to build something different, trusting that the right team and clients would follow.”
That vision became Ascent Insurance Solutions, where Jodie leads with integrity, expertise, and a commitment to putting clients first.
With the kids off adulting, Jodie lives in the Saddle Rock community of Southeast Aurora and enjoys golfing with her friends or exploringtrails with her husband and beloved furbabies.
Russell Lyons - Chief Operating Officer
Russell is our resident "safety guy" who works with clients on their safety practices when he's not wrangling the back office here at Ascent.
In 2023 Russell retired as a 35 year, 3.8 million mile OTR driver who also took on DOT safety & compliance for his prior organization.
Hanging up his wheels (but not his CDL) he's focused on
helping organizations with their safety & compliance both on and off the road. This includes workplace safety, DOT compliance, transportation safety, and operational risk.
For those needing safety support that aren't (yet) with Team Ascent for their insurance needs, Russell is the founder and head hoss of our sister company, Ascent Safety Solutions
When Russell isn't geeking out on all things safety & compliance (or critiquing Jodie's mad driving skills) he likes quiet time at home with the furbabies, football, and mastering the landscaping.
Kadie Mellem, CISR - Commercial Account Manager
Kadie is our dedicated client service and new business agent, bringing enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to Team Ascent.
Before joining us in 2023, she spent nine years in the service industry as a bartender and server. While she loved the fast-paced environment, she was ready for a new challenge. Her journey led her to Colorado as a Project Manager for a roofing company, and though roofing wasn’t the right fit, she quickly fell in love with the Centennial State.
A proud graduate of the University of South Carolina (Go Gamecocks!), Kadie holds a degree in Marketing and Economics. She has already earned her CISR designation and is currently working toward her CSRM, with big plans to add even more credentials to her name—an ambition we fully support!
Kadie plays a key role in handling new business inquiries while providing exceptional client support as she continues to grow in the industry. She has proven to be an invaluable asset to Team Ascent.
Outside the office, you can find Kadie practicing hot yoga, experimenting in the kitchen, or cheering on her favorite college football team—often alongside her cats, Roger and Steve, with a good horror movie on the screen.
Chester & Wizzle - "Champions of Cheer"
Chester & Wizzle are our official Champions of Cheer who enjoy occasionally accompanying Mom & Dad to the office to share their shenanigans.
They're both hypoallergenic and have their favorite beds under the desks when we have visitors.
If you're sensitive to animals, we're happy to have them chill at home for your scheduled meeting.
Join Our Team!
Are you experienced in Commercial P&C or a B2B pro wanting to enter the industry?
We don't operate like big corporate or the dusty old school shops. We pride ourselves on follow-through of the concierge commercial insurance experience and welcome those who hold similar values.
At our current rate of success, based on doing the right thing and reinvesting into supports for our clients and staff, we are seeking dynamic members to grow with the team.
Send your resume for consideration.