Gary Franke is an accomplished entrepreneur and financial strategist with over 20 years of experience in insurance, risk management, and real estate. Holding an MBA from Seattle University, he founded Achieve Alpha Insurance LLC, growing it into a top brokerage before its 2023 sale to Heffernan Insurance Brokers. Now Vice President at Heffernan, Gary drives significant revenue growth while leading real estate ventures in San Diego, overseeing a $4.7M portfolio. His expertise in scaling businesses, data-driven decision-making, and operational excellence ensures sustainable value creation and positions him as a trusted leader.
Gary Franke is a seasoned entrepreneur, financial strategist, and operational leader with more than two decades of success across insurance, risk management, and real estate investment. Renowned for his analytical precision and commitment to operational efficiency, Gary has built a career marked by innovative problem-solving, scalable process development, and a steadfast focus on stakeholder value. His leadership has consistently delivered growth and high-value outcomes, cementing his reputation as a trusted steward of capital.
Gary earned an MBA with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship from Seattle University (2009) and a B.A. in Business Administration from Washington State University (2004), where he double-majored in Finance and Risk Management and minored in Economics. His academic foundation is bolstered by a Six Sigma Green Belt certification from Villanova University (2005) and practical leadership experience as Treasurer for the Bolero Condominium HOA (2006–2011), where he managed cash flow and investments with meticulous care.
In 2008, Gary founded Achieve Alpha Insurance LLC, transforming it into a premier health insurance brokerage in Washington State. His client-centric approach, underpinned by automated systems for detailed plan analysis, earned him industry-wide respect. After 15 years of leadership, he orchestrated a successful exit, selling the firm to Heffernan Insurance Brokers on December 31, 2023, for 9.15x EBITDA—a testament to his ability to build and monetize enterprises. Now serving as Vice President of WA Individual Health & Medicare at Heffernan, Gary has driven a 29% revenue increase in 2024, leveraging his strategic oversight and sales expertise.
Gary’s career spans pivotal roles that showcase his financial and risk management prowess. At Marsh & McLennan (2007–2008), he collaborated with C-suite executives as a Risk Analyst II, securing optimal insurance coverage for large corporations. Earlier, at Washington Mutual (2005–2006), he pioneered risk-tracking methods for the Home Loans division, and at Boeing (2004–2005), he enhanced process integrity for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance using Six Sigma methodologies. As Director of Business Development at CrossNW (2018–2020), he maximized business valuations through detailed financial analyses and strategic sales coordination.
In 2023, Gary pivoted to real estate, partnering with a long-time associate to capitalize on San Diego’s dynamic market. Specializing in property flipping, he has overseen a $4.7M portfolio, with one project currently on the market, another launching this week, one completing next week, and a fourth—a 30-unit ground-up apartment complex—ready to build, backed by $1.5M in equity. His disciplined approach to financial oversight ensures rigorous budget management and timely execution, skills honed over years of leadership across industries.
With a proven track record of scaling businesses, mitigating risks, and executing strategic exits, Gary Franke combines data-driven decision-making with operational excellence to deliver sustainable growth and maximized returns. His extensive experience and forward-thinking vision make him a formidable leader in both finance and real estate.
