Fortman Insurance Services, Inc., celebrated its first anniversary in Bluffton on July 1.

The Ottawa-based company opened a branch office at 115 N. Main St., Bluffton, in the former Book Reviews store front on July 1, 2011.

Fortman's expansion to Bluffton took place due to the expanding number of clients outside Putnam County, according to Catherine Fortman.

"The need to expand to a second location made sense. Because the business had several customers in the Bluffton area, the expansion into Bluffton made sense," she said.

Bluffton's proximity to Lima and Findlay was another reason for opening an office here, according to Fortman as the business has several clients in those areas also.

Fortman Insurance entered its second generation as a family business when Jonathan Fortman, son of John and Catherine, joined the company after graduating from Bowling Green State University in 2003.

He is a licensed health and life agent and works with businesses and individuals with medical insurance and ancillary (vision, dental, short and long-term disability) coverages.

Jonathan's wife, Branden, is the Bluffton office manager.

Another son, Zachary Fortman, joined the company in September 2010. He is a licensed property and casualty agent.

The company has six additional licensed agents. They are Dale Metzger, Laurie Basinger, Kathy Green, Amy Baker, Pam Eickholt and Sam Brauen. Laura Kuhlman, works in customer service.

John Fortman started Fortman Insurance in 1978, and Catherine joined him in 1982. After leasing buildings in downtown Ottawa and in the Westrick Realty Building, Ottawa, in 1991, the company built its current Ottawa office on State Route 65. In 2004, Fortman doubled the size of its building and added on to the original building.

Bluffton office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends and evenings by appointment.