Overland Park, KS (May 12, 2026) – Leavitt Group is pleased to announce it has partnered with Maria Ahlers to acquire RPS Benefits by Design, an employee benefits agency based in Kansas, which will rebrand as Leavitt Strategic Benefits.

Maria Ahlers has led the agency’s growth and operations for several years, supporting its continued development. As part of this partnership, she will continue to lead the agency as president. Leavitt Group partnered with Ahlers to build on that leadership and support the agency’s next phase of growth.

“I’m excited to join Leavitt Group and begin this next chapter for our team,” shared Ahlers. “This partnership allows us to continue building on what we’ve created while bringing additional resources and support to our clients.”

RPS Benefits by Design is headquartered in Kansas and serves clients across multiple states, with five offices in four states. With this addition, Leavitt Group expands into a new state and reaches a milestone with a presence in 30 states.

“Maria and her predecessor, Phillip Sarnecki, have built a strong agency, and we’re excited to partner with them moving forward. Expanding into Kansas is an important milestone and supports our continued growth across the country,” said Kevin Callister, Leavitt Group’s chief affiliations officer.

Leavitt Strategic Benefits will continue to serve clients from its existing locations, maintaining its local presence while gaining access to the broader resources and capabilities of Leavitt Group.

Leavitt Group is one of the largest privately held insurance brokerages in the nation with a mission to build, serve, and perpetuate independent insurance agencies as partners with local co-owners. With an extensive network of 80+ agencies and 290+ locations across 30 states, Leavitt Group offers a distinctive advantage with local ownership, delivering a personalized and collaborative approach to commercial insurance, employee benefits, and personal insurance.

With over 70 years in the insurance industry, Leavitt Group brings national strength and local trust to the communities and clients they serve. For more information about Leavitt Group, visit www.leavitt.com.