Black-owned firm commits to $2M, 30 jobs in New Orleans

By Nayita Wilson
Contributing Writer

Enhancing a strong presence in local, regional and national markets, Hammerman & Gainer International, Inc. (HGI)—the largest African American owned third party administration company in the nation— has relocated its corporate headquarters to downtown New Orleans.

The move will provide approximately 30 full time jobs within the company, which currently boasts 335 employees and 12 offices in Louisiana, Texas, Georgia and Washington DC.

Larry D. Oney, sole owner and chairman of HGI, says the move is indicative of the company’s pledge to the city’s economic landscape.

“Our firm, HGI, is totally committed to the City of New Orleans and more importantly to good jobs for the people that live in the city. Many firms in the area that do what we do as high level administrators and program managers have long since moved their operations outside of the city,” he said. “Moving our corporate headquarters to New Orleans demonstrates HGI’s high commitment level to the City of New Orleans.”

In all, the relocation equates to a $2 million investment in New Orleans.

This commitment and investment was realized with help from the New Orleans Business Alliance, which helped HGI identify a downtown location. “HGI is a strong and growing company well positioned in the New Orleans market,” said Rod Miller, President & CEO of the New Orleans Business Alliance. “HGI has already made an impact on the New Orleans economy thanks to its disaster recovery efforts and with HGI’s headquarter relocation; HGI will now be able to take their investments in New Orleans to the next level.”

As a third party administrator, HGI provides risk management, claims administration, program management and property in­spection services to clients nationwide. The company has been in existence for more than 80 years.

As majority owner, Oney has more than 30 years of leadership experience in the insurance claims sector having worked for private and governmental entities. He acquired HGI in 1999 and has since expanded the company’s scope to focus on healthcare and post-disaster administration services.

This article was originally published in the May 14, 2012 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper