CEO Tom Van Berkel

Main Street America Group, a Jacksonville-based insurance company, has been on an acquisition spree, most recently acquiring Spring Valley Mutual Insurance Co. of Minnesota. Tom Van Berkel, chairman, president and CEO, says the move should give the company the foothold it needs in the Midwest. The company has nearly $900 million in premiums, insures more than 600,000 policyholders in 27 states and writes bonds in 44 states. Its homeowner/property obligations have soared recently after a series of catastrophic tornadoes and other events. The company usually sees only a few catastrophic events by midyear; this year, it's seen 16. But, the company says, its commercial, reinsurance and bond businesses remain strong.

Main Street's Jacksonville headquarters