STATEWIDE INSURANCE GROUP - Key Persons
Abigail began her insurance career with Statewide Insurance Group in February 2008 as an Agency Assistant. Obtaining her full Property and Casualty Agent's License in 2009, Abigail advanced to her current position as Commercial Lines Manager in the Commercial Insurance Department for all Statewide Offices. Abigail is known to her clients as both knowledgable and responsive. With a thorough knowledge of coastal underwriting, Abigail helps her clients obtain the proper coverage to protect them from the catastrophic exposures associated with operating businesses along the east coast.
Abigail is happily married to her husband of 12 years, and in her spare time, enjoys watching movies, reading & shopping.
Job Titles:
- Representative for the National Wild Turkey Federation
Bobby joined the Statewide Insurance Group in March 2014, bringing several years of insurance experience to the team. Born and raised in Lexington, SC, Bobby is a 2009 graduate of the University of South Carolina. Holding dual licenses in both property & casualty, and life & health, Bobby's background includes several years experience working as an agent for a large insurance company where he specialized in working with both personal and commercial clients.
Bobby is a former District Representative for the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), where he worked with non-profit entities throughout the midlands. With his experience, background, and commitment, Bobby brings unique insight that will help his clients obtain the coverage necessary to protect them from the catastrophic exposures associated with operating businesses in today's competitive enviroment. Bobby's broad knowledge of risk management and underwriting makes him a vital part of the Statewide Commercial Lines Team.
In his spare time, Bobby enjoys hunting, fishing, boating, and all things outdoors, including volunteering with NWTF chapters in the midlands. Happily married, Bobby enjoys spending time with his wife, family and friends.
As Agency Manager with Statewide Insurance Group, Elizabeth loves meeting new clients and helping them assess and identify how they can protect themselves and their assets from the unique risks of the coast.
A 1995 Radford University graduate with a B.A. Degree in Business Administration, Elizabeth Lester has been in the insurance industry since 1997, beginning her career as Flood Insurance CSR, and later as a fully licensed insurance agent and broker in 1999. Elizabeth originally began her tenure on the Personal Lines Team at Statewide Insurance Group in September of 2002, advancing to her present position as Agency Manager for the Myrtle Beach, SC Office. Elizabeth manages the commercial lines, personal lines, and benefits operations.
Elizabeth earned her CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative) designation in 2005. Active in many insurance organizations, Elizabeth is the Immediate Past President of the Independent Agents and Brokers of Horry & Georgetown Counties. She has been an active board member of that organization since 2009.
Elizabeth is both a wife and mother, happily married to her husband Michael and has a handsome son. She is a very active member of the Myrtle Beach Church of Christ, serving as Bible School Teacher and helping her husband head up many of the youth group programs and activities. Her hobbies include jogging, reading, , playing with her dog, and spending time with her family and friends.
Job Titles:
- As Agency Manager With Statewide Insurance Group, Jacki Loves Helping Her Clients Protect Themselves and Their Assets from the Unique Risks Encounted Along the Coast
With over 30 year's Personal Insurance experience, Jacqueline started her insurance career with INA Insurance Company in Greenville, DE. After just 9 months she was relocated to Houston, TX where she joined American General Insurance Company. In Texas for the next 10 Yrs, Jacqueline advanced quickly and in 1989 was transferred to the company's home office Baltimore, MD, where she was promoted to Senior Underwriter. In that position, she helped to establish the Southern Underwriting Region for her new division. In 1992, she left her position, married her soul mate and moved to South Carolina.
In April 1994, Jacqueline decided to go back to the work she loved. She resumed her career in 1994, utilizing her extensive underwriting experience, working for an agency. Jacqueline joined Team Statewide Insurance Group in 2004 as Agency Manager. Jacqueline's extensive corporate underwriting background provided her with a unique skill set that allowed her to better serve her clients on the agency level, providing a level of expertise not often seen in the agency market.
Jacqueline possesses a love of reading. She formed a well-received book club 2001 named "BLISS" (Building Leadership by Inspiring Success and Self Improvement). Jacqueline is very active in the community and presently serves as Treasurer of the Yemassee Train Depot Reunion, which honors Marines which passed through Yemassee, SC in the ‘50's, ‘60's and '70 as young recruits on their way to Parris Island, SC.
"If ever I can assist you with any Personal Insurance need please don't hesitate to give me a call or shoot me a quick email; I would love to help." - Jacqueline Jinks
James Downing Mathews, Sr. passed away on October 29, 2012 at the Beaufort Memorial Hospital, Beaufort, SC, after a long illness. Mr. Mathews' many accomplishments are reflected through his lustrous career.
There are few gentlemen in any industry that have seen it all and experienced it all. Mr. Jim Mathews was one of those men. Beginning his professional career in accounting with Price-Waterhouse, Jim earned his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting from the University of Georgia where he remained a member of the International Professional Fraternity for Accounting, Delta Sigma Pi.
A veteran, Jim also served in the US Army Infantry during the Korean War where he earned an early promotion to 1st Lieutenant by Special Order of President Harry S. Truman on the criteria that Jim Mathews was outstanding among his peers.
Jim began his professional career first as a Financial Office for a Chrysler Dealership in Savannah, GA before opening his own dealership Jim Mathews Motors as an independent auto dealer. It was there that Jim was elected President of the Georgia Independent Auto Dealers Association. Jim later moved to Columbia, SC where he started the Mathews Insurance Agency. After a very successful insurance career, spanning many years, Jim semi-retired and moved to Beaufort, South Carolina, where he joined Statewide Insurance Group as a Commercial Insurance Broker and began a very successful career working with clients throughout the Lowcountry.
Jim possessed a wealth of knowledge that allowed him to assist his clients with a total risk-management approach to underwriting that minimizes exposures and allowd him to tailor policies to each client's unique needs. Always a Southern Gentleman, Jim will be missed by his friends and colleagues at Statewide Insurance Group, as well as all who had the privilege to have know him..
Born in New York and raised in Connecticut, Jeanine spent a twenty-year career in the banking industry before relocating to the beautiful South Carolina shores. Her desire to be a Southerner finally came true in 2011 when she and her husband and 3 children relocated to Surfside Beach.
Jeanine advanced her knowledge by working in various departments of the financial sector. In 1999, when the government removed legal barriers dating back to the Depression and allowed banks, securities firms and insurance companies to form one-stop financial companies marketing a range of financial products, Jeanine became a Portfolio Manager where her primary responsibilities were focused on referring clients to insurance agents and financial advisors. In this role, Jeanine learned an in-depth knowledge about insurance and financial markets.
Upon moving to the South, Jeanine continued in banking until a few years ago where she worked in the insurance industry as a Customer Service Representative assisting licensed agents with customer service and operations. Jeanine is excited to join the Statewide Insurance team as an Agency Administrative Assistant.
Born and raised on the New Jersey Shore, Kathleen spent twenty-year career in the banking industry before relocating to sunny South Carolina. In 1999 Kathleen began her career in the insurance industry, starting out in the accounting department of a large independent agency, and later, as a licensed agent and broker.
With her banking, financial, and insurance background, Kathleen has a thorough knowledge of both commercial insurance and personal lines insurance and the underwriting needed to ensure proper coverage. Kathleen enjoys her position with Statewide Insurance Group specializing in coastal coverage and risk management.
Kathleen is the proud Mom of two children, 2 grandsons and 2 rescue dogs. In her spare time, Kathleen enjoys the Beach, Music, Cooking, and especially traveling.
A graduate of Coastal Carolina University with a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, Lynn has over 13 years experience in the insurance industry. As a fully licensed agent in both Property & Casualty Insurance and Life & Health Insurance, Lynn joined the Statewide Insurance Group Team in 2000 as a Personal Lines Clients Services Representative, and advanced to her current position as Personal Lines Account Executive. Prior to her tenure with Team Statewide, Lynn spent several years teaching Elementary Education in both Horry & Marion Counties. It is her extensive background in education that provides her with unique insight into the critical coverages necessary to protect her clients' future, by ensuring the right policy for each of their needs.
Happily married to her husband, Brian, of 7 years, Lynn has been blessed with two children. Lynn believes her greatest accomplishment in life is her family and friends. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, shopping, reading, and going to the movies.
A native of New York, Maria Mastellone joined Statewide in 2014. With over 30 years of experience working with both the agency and insurance company sides of the industry, Maria Mastellone is a key member of the team at Statewide Insurance Group's Beaufort Office. Helping her clients with her extensive background in Commercial Coverages, Personal Coverage, and Claims assistance, Maria tells everyone she enjoys the diversity of the job. We are sure her clients enjoy speaking with her as well.
Maria is actively involved in the community, enjoying the Lowcountry Lifestyle. When not helping her cleints, Maria enjoys spending time at the beach and time with her daughter and family
Job Titles:
- AIAM
- Commercial Lines Account Representative
As a Commercial Lines Account Representative, Robbin loves meeting new clients and helping them identify the multiple risks that all businesses are exposed to on a operational basis.
Robbin began her insurance career in 1995 with a captive insurance agent located in Southern California. She eventually worked her way up to personal lines manager. Robbin moved to Murrells Inlet in 2002 and began working for an independent agency located in Myrtle Beach, SC. Quickly learning the coastal South Carolina insurance markets, she was named Agent of the Year in 2006. Robbin has her AIAM designation. Although Robbin works primarily with commercial insurance, she is equally experienced with personal lines and coastal property coverages. Robbin enjoys the insurance industry and goes above and beyond to make sure all of her clients are insured properly and makes sure every customer understands his or her insurance policy.
Robbin is happily married to her husband, Steve for 37 years, proud to have raised 2 sons. She and her husband are currently raising their 9 year old Granddaughter. In 1991 Robbin was a contestant on The Price is Right and won The Showcase Showdown. Robbin is an active member of Coastal Bible Church where she enjoys scrapbooking, the beach, swimming, and spending time with her family.
Tammy Whitehead joined Team Statewide Insurance Group in May of 2012, as Accounting and Operations Manager. With over 26 years' experience in large and small business operations, Tammy is uniquely qualified to oversee all aspects of the financial transactions for Statewide, including policy transactions, company and agency accounts, and vendor transactions. Prior to working in the insurance industry, Tammy worked in the manufacturing industry where she began her accounting back ground and advanced to Accounting Manager. In that capacity, Tammy managed all the accounts receivable and payables for the day to day operations for a large international manufacturing company. She is a valuable part of our company and instrumental in the fiscal management of Statewide.
Happily married to her husband, Brian, for more the 23 years, Tammy is blessed with 3 wonderful kids, Zachary, Cody and Amber. Tammy enjoys camping, the RV way, being on the back of her husband's motorcycle, and spending time with her family.
"I believe there is no conflict between good business and good ethics. I know my reputation is my most valuable asset and will always insist on high standards and professional excellence in everything I do; I also expect the same from everyone in my agency." - Tim Baxley
As President & CEO of Statewide Insurance Group since 1999, Tim Baxley is comitted to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and excellence, both professionally and personally. He credits his personal success to personal character and unwavering integrity.
A graduate of Newberry College (B.S., Management) and Georgia Southern University (M.B.A.), Tim continues his successful career in insurance and risk management since entering the industry in 1993. He has used his experience and professional skills to build solid relationships in the local and national business arena, as well as protecting the assets of personal clients. Earning a number of prestigious awards and accolades, Tim is the former President of the Watts-Baxley Insurance Group from 1993-1999. He is past president of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers HGC, past president of the Safeco Insurance Company SC Agent Advisory Council, Chairman of the AMS National R&D Council, featured agent for the national ad campaign for AMS National Users Group, member of National Committee on Service for Safeco Insurance Company, Member of National Agent Advisory Council for Bankers Insurance Group, and past member of the Main Street America Group South Carolina Agent Advisory Council.
Active both inside and outside the insurance industry, Tim is actively involved in various religious, civic, community, and charitable organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, Rotary, Ducks Unlimited, and National Wild Turkey Federation. He is past District Chairman for the Etowah Creek District of the Indian Waters Council for the Boy Scouts of America, Assistant Scout Master with Troop 380 in Chapin, and an Award of Merit Recipient. Tim is also active in his church, where he has served on various committees within the church, including Worship and Music, Education, and Building, including Sunday School Teacher, VBS teacher, and Habitat for Humanity volunteer.
Tim is happily married to his college sweetheart since 1989 with two beautiful children.