York, PA. (August 2026) – McConkey Insurance & Benefits is proud to announce that Michael Harter, President, CEO and Principal of the firm, has been named to the Central Penn Business Journal’s CPBJ 300, a list recognizing the most influential business leaders shaping Central Pennsylvania’s economy.
The CPBJ 300 honors executives whose leadership and vision have left a lasting mark on the region’s business community. Harter’s inclusion reflects nearly two decades of work building McConkey into one of Central Pennsylvania’s leading independent insurance agencies.
At a time when private equity has reshaped much of the insurance industry, Harter has taken a different path. In his 19 years at McConkey, he has shaped an agency defined not just by what it has achieved, but by the discipline of what it refused to become. He has been outspoken about the risks of agency aggregation and outside investment, noting that the trend has too often led to diminished client focus and reduced support for employees.
In response, Harter has guided McConkey toward a deliberate strategy centered on independence: a robust internal perpetuation plan that keeps ownership within the firm, a profit-sharing model that extends the rewards of the company’s success to its team, and a firm commitment to remaining independently owned.
Leadership development sits at the heart of that approach. Harter has said his most meaningful accomplishment has not been a single deal or milestone, but the ongoing work of mentoring the next generation of agency leaders; preparing capable successors to carry McConkey forward well beyond his own tenure.
“This recognition reflects the strength of the entire McConkey team,” Harter said. “Our focus has always been on building something built to last for our clients, our employees and the community we serve.”
About McConkey Insurance & Benefits
Since 1890, McConkey Insurance & Benefits has provided financial security for businesses across the globe. Licensed in nearly all 50 states with a client presence in more than 20 countries, McConkey prides itself in being one of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest and most respected insurance brokerage firms. In addition to our traditional insurance portfolio, McConkey specializes in alternative markets offering compliance, administration, brokerage, and actuarial services to businesses, groups, and associations in the form of captive programs, consortiums, self-insurance, and other unique products tailored to the risk tolerance of our clients.
Year after year, McConkey’s exceptional service platform results in unmatched client retention and unparalleled growth. As a consistent “Best Places to Work” and “Top Fastest Growing Company” award recipient, our team-based culture drives our success from within.
