Henderson Brothers Announces Executive Successions, Adds New Employee Shareholders

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 16, 2026--

Henderson Brothers, Inc., a 133-year-old, family-owned insurance and financial consulting firm headquartered in Pittsburgh, announced executive leadership appointments, leadership transition, and new shareholder class as part of its long-standing succession strategy focused on leadership excellence, continuity, and long-term independence.

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Executive Appointments:

Coast is a veteran employee with nearly two decades of experience at Henderson Brothers, joining the company in 2006. He has played a key role in driving growth, accountability, collaboration, and profitability for the organization. Over his tenure, Coast has developed a deep understanding of Henderson Brothers’ full suite of practices and integrated approach to client service. He earned a B.S. in Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship from Duquesne University.

“Because we are committed to remaining independent, it was essential that we select a leader with a proven track record who shares our vision and values,” said T. Grealish, CEO and Executive Chairman, Henderson Brothers. “Dan is exceptionally well-suited for this position, bringing a steady demeanor and thoughtful leadership as he navigates clients through complex situations and empowers his colleagues. He consistently leads with assurance, transparency, and genuine concern for both clients and team members. Our family, our leadership and Board of Directors were unanimous in our decision to appoint Dan as President, and we are confident he will lead us successfully into the future.”

In his revised roles, T. Grealish will continue to guide the firm’s strategic vision and overall direction. As Chairman Emeritus, D. Grealish, Sr. will remain actively engaged with the firm by maintaining key client relationships and continuing his philanthropic leadership within the community.

Throughout his tenure as President & CEO, T. Grealish has been instrumental in shaping Henderson Brothers’ enduring culture of independence, leadership excellence, and values-driven decision-making. His legacy is defined by a steadfast commitment to guiding the firm’s strategic vision and fostering a strong sense of community, entrepreneurship, and service. As he continues as CEO and assumes the role of Executive Chairman, T. Grealish will remain a guiding force, ensuring the company’s ongoing success and dedication to its core principles while mentoring the next generation of leaders.

In addition, Pete Horne will continue as General Counsel and transition to Chief Operating Officer, and Sara Bianco, currently Manager of Client Services , has been appointed Managing Director of Property & Casualty. Daniel W. Grealish will continue to serve as Director of Finance, representing the family’s fourth generation, and is expected to assume the role of Chairman in the future.

New Class of Shareholders:

The company announced the expansion of its equity program for current employees after the initial rollout out of its long-term internal perpetuation plan in 2024. With the new employee shareholders added in 2025, the total shareholders is 33. Looking ahead, the company plans to continue expanding the equity opportunity for current and future employees, creating a progressive and balanced capital structure that supports sustained investment and ensures continued operational and strategic control.

These changes and long-term ownership strategy are announced as Henderson Brothers recently expanded into Central Ohio. The firm is currently the largest independent, family-owned insurance agency in the region, serving thousands of personal, commercial, retirement, and employee benefits clients. Henderson Brothers employs approx. 185 employees across the northeastern U.S.

“Our future is exciting, our potential is limitless,” T. Grealish said. “As we grow and evolve, we remain anchored by our legacy and culture of entrepreneurship, world-class customer service, and our deep sense of community and family.”

“I am incredibly proud of the leadership team we’ve built and the future ahead,” said D. Grealish, Sr. “This transition reflects the strength of our people and our commitment to thoughtful, values-driven leadership.”

Founded in 1893, Henderson Brothers serves thousands of individuals, corporations, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations through integrated expertise in business insurance, employee benefits, personal insurance, retirement plan consulting, and personal money management. The firm is consistently recognized as a Top Workplace and is known for its client advocacy, personalized service, and strong carrier relationships.

For more information, visit www.hendersonbrothers.com.

Thomas B. Grealish will continue as CEO and assume the role of Executive Chairman at Henderson Brothers. Throughout his tenure, he has been instrumental in shaping Henderson Brothers’ enduring culture of independence, leadership excellence, and values-driven decision-making.

Dan Coast has been appointed President of Henderson Brothers, a 133-year-old, family-owned insurance and financial consulting firm headquartered in Pittsburgh.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has not spared a single Ukrainian power plant from attack since its all-out invasion, Ukraine’s new energy minister said Friday, as a recent escalation of aerial bombardments left hundreds of thousands of people without heat or light for days during the coldest winter in years.

Denys Shmyhal said Russia conducted 612 attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure objects over last year. That barrage has intensified in recent months as nighttime temperatures plunge to minus 18 degrees C (minus 0.4 F).

“Nobody in the world has ever faced such a challenge,” Shmyhal told lawmakers in a speech at Ukraine’s Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada.

Russia has hammered Ukraine’s power grid, especially in winter, throughout the almost four-year war. It aims to weaken the Ukrainian will to resist in a strategy that Kyiv officials call “weaponizing winter.”

Securing from abroad new missile supplies for air defenses that can counter Russia’s power grid attacks is a difficult and exhausting process, Zelenskyy said, revealing that some of the country’s air defense systems were out of missiles and at Russia’s mercy until a new shipment arrived Friday morning.

Obtaining supplies requires intense diplomatic pressure due to minimum stockpile levels and national laws in allied countries, according to the Ukrainian leader.

“But honestly, what do those rules and laws mean when we are at war and we desperately need these missiles?” Zelenskyy said.

The grim outlook roughly halfway through the winter season coincides with uncertainty about the direction and progress of U.S.-led peace efforts.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that a Ukrainian delegation is on its way to the United States to try and finalize with Washington documents for a proposed peace settlement that relate to postwar security guarantees and economic recovery.

If American officials approve the proposals, the U.S. and Ukraine could sign the documents next week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Zelenskyy said at a Kyiv news conference with Czech President Petr Pavel.

U.S. President Donald Trump plans to be in Davos, organizers say.

Russia would still need to be consulted on the proposals.

In Ukraine, the hardship was acute amid extended blackouts.

“This is a critical moment,” Jaime Wah, the deputy head in the Kyiv delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said Friday.

“This is the hardest winter since the escalation of the conflict: punishing cold temperatures and the lack of heating and electricity are affecting millions who are already pushed to the edge by years of violence and economic strain,” he told a briefing in Geneva.

Ukraine's power shortage is so desperate that Shmyhal urged businesses to switch off their illuminated signage and exterior decorations to save electricity.

“If you have spare energy, better give it to people,” the energy minister said. “This is the most important thing today. People will be grateful.”

Ukraine has introduced emergency measures, including temporarily easing curfew restrictions to allow people to go whenever they need to public heating centers set up by the authorities, Shmyhal said. He said hospitals, schools and other critical infrastructure remain the top priority for electricity and heat supplies.

Officials have instructed state energy companies Ukrzaliznytsia, Naftogaz and Ukroboronprom to urgently purchase imported electricity covering at least 50% of their own consumption, according to Shmyhal.

U.K. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy was in Kyiv on Friday to mark the first anniversary of the “100-year partnership” between Britain and Ukraine. To coincide with the anniversary, Britain announced a further 20 million pounds ($27 million) for repairs to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

A grinding war of attrition is continuing along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line. For all its military might, Russia has managed to occupy less than 20% of Ukraine since 2014.

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

Emergency tents are set up in a residential neighborhood where people can warm up following Russia's regular air attacks against the country's energy objects that leave residents without power, water and heating in the dead of winter, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Vladyslav Musiienko)