Meet Our Team
At Guidelight Insurance, we've built our team with individuals who have the highest standards for client communication and servicing. No matter who you interact with at Guidelight, you'll have the best experience possible.
Get Familiar With The Guidelight Team
What’s your story- what brought you into wanting to sell Insurance?
“Growing up, my mother was in insurance on the company side, and I knew a lot of people growing up who were in insurance, so the career path seemed like a natural consideration. They all seemed like good people and strong in family values. In college, I knew I had a natural strength in communicating with people, and couple that with a strong desire to “do good” for folks in whatever my career was going to be, well, again, insurance seemed to check the box as well. While in college, I decided to intern at an insurance agency while pursuing a minor degree in insurance, and the family of my girlfriend (soon to be wife) was in insurance also. So that just pretty much sealed the deal. What other industry could you surround yourself with a culture of people that had strong family values, an industry that needed helpful advisors to guide people through some complicated choices, while rewarding those that could do this at a high level of excellence while loving those they served? Well again, insurance advisory services seemed the obvious choice!”
Describe living in Western North Carolina and what are some fun things to do?
“There is rarely a day that goes by that I don’t look out over Western NC and thank the Lord for blessing me with the opportunity to serve others here! I love these mountains for a great number of reasons, but the #1 is the outdoor adventure scene. I grew up in Tennessee playing in the woods and fishing in the creeks my entire life, and that is why I prayed for many years to be able to serve the communities around Western NC. I love hiking the innumerable trails in these mountains with a backpack strapped to me, as well as pitching a tent and just breathing in God’s creation by a campfire.
My wife would tell you that it was the trout fishing in these mountain streams that caught my eye the most, and in many ways, she would be telling you the truth. But I can honestly say the enjoyment of these outdoors that has meant the most to me is when we began teaching my boys and countless others how to be great conservationists of these forests and streams through the Boy Scouts program. Not only were we showing them how to get outdoors, have fun, and survive, we showed them how to thrive! The numerous adventures we shared with our now young men in these mountains were great. Hiking, Camping, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Fishing, Shooting, and countless other activities were always on the menu!”
Describe Guidelight’s company culture?
“LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER. One of the best things we’ve done as a company is to make our company culture one of love for one another! We consider ourselves family, so like any family, we may have hiccups here and there, but overall, we know ever person with Guidelight would champion this sentiment. We know if we are known for our love, the care and concern we have for our clients would be reflected in everything we do. We believe our mission statement says it all… To love and guide others with excellence and second-mile service!
We developed our Core Values to be the lenses we evaluate all decisions. We constantly ask ourselves and each other, how does the decision at hand reflect our core values, or how can we do better! Check these out:
GRATITUDE - We embrace our calling with grace towards others and with thanksgiving in all things.
UNITY – We joyfully serve as a team, embracing the call to unity around our mission and vision.
HUMILITY – We desire the best for others over ourselves, and we are always open to learning and correction with humility.
RESULTS MATTER – We are proactive and thorough in diagnosing needs of our clients and prospects, and we do so with accountability.
CONNECT – We come together with others through clear & timely communications and properly setting their expectations
PERSISTENT – We operate with a zeal for the best in all things, never settling, coasting, or quitting in serving our clients’ needs and resolving issues.
Lastly, we must highlight our Vision, because this speaks to the “why” we do what we do. Our vision is… “To strengthen and protect our communities by building caring relationships with all those we serve.” We strongly believe that we have a high calling to educate and advise our clients to the best of our ability, so when that unexpected accident happens, they feel peace that they are covered.
When we do this well, we will have communities that are strengthened and protected in those times of disaster. We do this through nurturing caring relationships with everyone we come in contact with.”
Do you have any pets?
“Do we have any pets?!? Yes, about 30! The bulk of those 30 are chickens, as we have 21 of those. We also have 5 goats (mini-Nubians), three dogs (two outside Guardian dogs, and the house Cockapoo), and what small farm would be complete without their farm cat! We hope to add a few cows next year, and if you really want to go overboard with numbers, you could add another 20k plus pets if you count our beehives, and the fishpond! ????”
Why did you feel the need to rebrand to Guidelight Insurance?
“One of the attributes I love most about our company is our history and our diversity. We really needed a name change to properly reflect that. Many of our agencies for decades were known as Nationwide agencies, as they were our number one carrier. Over time, we had other independent agencies join our team that didn’t have a history of Nationwide, like our agency in Burnsville, NC, that has served that county since 1927! We also kept expanding our partnerships with more carriers to better serve our communities and giving clients choice. We felt the need to rebrand to let our communities know we are a true independent agency, and we want to guide them through the many choices out there when it comes to personal and business insurance needs.”
Where do you envision Guidelight in 5 years?
“DEEPER RELATIONSHIPS Where we are.
In 5 years, we simply envision serving our clients better year after year right where we are. Times are changing and the way clients want to be served changes rapidly. We will always stay engaged with advancements in technology to better serve our clients, while promising to not lose that relationship- based agency focus that makes Guidelight so unique. We know we can always do better at communicating and educating our clients, so we will constantly advance that mission.
Whether it is the drop in visit for a review, the phone call for a risk evaluation, a back-and-forth email conversation, or even the quick text or social media chat, we will serve our clients the way they choose to be served. That’s our commitment!”
EXPANSION
“Our leadership team envisions Guidelight expanding to other areas in the Southeast that are looking for a relationship-based insurance agency who align with our mission and vision. Besides NC, we have many conversations right now with partnership opportunities in East TN, Northeast GA, and the Upstate of SC. What excites us the most is the number of other agencies we talk to that want to join our mission and partner with us to keep insurance local in their communities, with opportunities to give back to those people we serve. There
- What’s your story- what connected you to Guidelight and wanting to be an Agent Advisor in the Insurance industry?
After seven years of working as a claims adjuster with NC Farm Bureau, I wanted to work on the agent side of insurance. My motto is: helping people is what I do best, and I felt that Guidelight’s vision and mission aligned perfectly with my personality. I feel that as an agent advisor I can put my knowledge of insurance policies use and help the insured obtain the best insurance to meet their needs. I also feel like Guidelight Insurance will give me the freedom to grow, both professionally and spiritually, as we move forward into the future of insurance.
- Describe living in Western North Carolina and what are some fun things to do?
As a native of WNC, living in the mountains is in my DNA. I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada between undergraduate and graduate school back in 2004 and only made it a year away from home. As Dorothy said in the “Wizard of Oz,” there’s no place like home. Murphy will always be home, to me. When I’m not at work, you can find me exploring the area whether it be on a hike, doing what I call sauntering backroads, and socializing with my friends and family.
- Describe Guidelight’s company culture?
Guidelight Insurance, to me, is a team approach. We always support each other and help each other meet the needs of our insureds on a daily basis. We strive to provide a friendly, loving and positive atmosphere. You will probably not find a time where we are not laughing and enjoying our work family throughout the day.
- Do you have any pets? I love animals, but do not own any, at this time.
- Why are you excited most about the rebrand to Guidelight Insurance?
I am excited about the rebrand of Guidelight Insurance and what it means to the future of the insurance industry. I feel that since we are an independent agency, we can offer our insureds the best product for the most affordable price; however, what sets us apart from that is our mission to build relationships within the community. Relationships are what matters, in my opinion. We, also, have an opportunity to serve our insureds with multiple carriers to meet their insurance needs.
- How do you envision helping people through Guidelight in the next 5 years?
I can answer this question with three words, service above self. It is my goal to provide thorough service while also putting the insured’s need before my own. I feel that relationships and community go hand-in-hand and here at Guidelight Insurance, we do our best to build those relationships with everyone that walks in the door. We all have hurdles in life, but it’s the relationships we have with each other that can help us move forward as a stronger unit and make the community the best it can be.
What’s your story – what connected you to Guidelight?
I have worked in the Insurance Industry for twenty years. I strongly believe helping others is one of the greatest things one can do in life. In my opinion, agents are the face of insurance and I enjoy building relationships with my clients. Insurance has given me the opportunity to meet people from all different walks of life. I have made lifelong friendships with many policy holders. We have laughed, cried, celebrated and mourned together.
Since coming on board with Guidelight, they have helped me rediscover my love and renew excitement for my job. There is such a strong “team” connection. Everyone is encouraging and we all seem to share the same goals, helping our clients. When you have a happy working environment, I strongly feel it shows in our communities.
Describe living in Western North Carolina
I value simple things in life and respect the captivating beauty these mountains have to offer. In our smaller town we can live a slower pace of life and I believe that gives us a tighter-knit community. My husband has surveyed for thirty years so that gives me the option to hike and explore some off the beat beautiful places that many never know exist.
Describe Guidelight’s company culture
If I had to describe it in one word it would be connected. I think everyone can honestly say we feel accepted, valued and we belong. I think at the beginning and end of each day everyone shares the same goals that unite us. It is truly a family environment.
Do you have any pets?
My husband and I have a nine-year-old Australian Shepherd named Ellie. She has fun trying to herd the horses Brownie and Princess. We also have a two-year-old Pomsky “grand-pup” named Chester who is full of energy and personality. Then we have our “wildlife” pets. You never know what you will encounter in our front yard or walking through our fields…bear, deer, foxes, bobcats or turkeys. By far the ones that have caught my attention the most are bears, albino deer and albino turkeys.
How do you envision helping people through Guidelight in the next 5 years?
I think one of the easiest ways to help people is by sharing my knowledge of insurance. Every day we have an opportunity to educate someone in our area of expertise. Insurance has changed so much in the twenty years I have been in it, and I think it will continue to change. Guidelight gives me the opportunity to continue to learn and grow with the industry.
- What’s your story- what connected you to Guidelight and wanting to be an Agent Advisor in the Insurance industry?
As a recent resident of NC, from Philadelphia, and as an insurance professional of 20 years who enjoys helping people protect what’s important, I wanted to continue my purposeful work at Guidelight because of their mission to care for the needs of their customers.
- Describe living in Western North Carolina and what are some fun things to do?
I was born in upstate NY, near the Adirondack Mts., but have spent the last 40 years in NYC, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. WNC is like a slice of heaven, whether you like riding the roads, exploring the sights, antiquing, farmers markets, crafts, and local foods. We have it all.
- Describe Guidelight’s company culture?
We endeavor to offer outstanding customer service expertly and professionally guiding and advising our customers relating to all of their insurance needs. It is our undertaking to care for and protect our customers.
- Do you have any pets?
Three cats: Butler, Lilly Belle, and Ellie May
- Why are you excited most about the rebrand to Guidelight Insurance?
It highlights our important vocation to guide people in protecting what is most important to them: their families and loved ones.
- How do you envision helping people through Guidelight in the next 5 years?
By daily striving to devote my full and thoughtful care and attention to the important needs of my customers. Working hard, for them.