SterlingRisk Insurance Celebrates 94 Years of Serving New York Businesses

Family-led insurance brokerage has grown to become one of the nation's largest privately held firms.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 4:26am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Founded in 1932 by Jonah Sterling, SterlingRisk began as a regional insurance brokerage dedicated to helping New York-area businesses manage risk and safeguard their assets. Today, the firm remains family-led by his grandson, David Sterling, who joined the company in 1978 and became President and CEO in 1987. Under Sterling's leadership, SterlingRisk has grown into one of the nation's largest privately held insurance brokerages, expanding 25-fold and building a team of more than 300 professionals across eight regional offices while preserving the client-first philosophy that defines the company.

Why it matters

SterlingRisk's growth and longevity in the highly competitive insurance brokerage industry highlights the firm's ability to adapt to changing market conditions and client needs over nearly a century. As a family-owned business, SterlingRisk has maintained a strong commitment to community service and philanthropy, exemplified by its role as a premier sponsor of the Long Island Imagine Awards.

The details

SterlingRisk provides property and casualty insurance, employee benefits consulting, risk management, and claims services to regional, national, and international clients. The firm has developed particular strength in sectors such as construction, real estate, aviation, environmental services, financial services, hospitality, nonprofit organizations, and professional services. Through its Private Client Group, SterlingRisk also serves the complex insurance needs of high-net-worth individuals and families.

  • SterlingRisk was founded in 1932.
  • David Sterling joined the company in 1978.
  • David Sterling became President and CEO in 1987.
  • SterlingRisk has been the premier sponsor of the Long Island Imagine Awards for the past four years.

The players

Jonah Sterling

The founder of SterlingRisk Insurance in 1932.

David Sterling

The grandson of Jonah Sterling, who joined the company in 1978 and became President and CEO in 1987.

SterlingRisk

A family-led insurance brokerage that has grown to become one of the nation's largest privately held firms.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Our clients rely on us to help protect their businesses, their livelihoods, and their futures. Earning and honoring that trust is at the heart of everything we do.”

— David Sterling, President and CEO

“Every client has a different risk profile. Our responsibility is to understand those challenges deeply and deliver solutions that help organizations grow with confidence.”

— David Sterling, President and CEO

The takeaway

SterlingRisk's nearly century-long history and growth into one of the nation's largest privately held insurance brokerages demonstrates the firm's ability to adapt to changing market conditions and client needs while maintaining a strong commitment to community service and philanthropy.