BRAY & OAKLEY - Key Persons
Alec grew up in Richland, Washington and worked in agriculture until joining the Army in 2009. He served as an infantryman until reclassing as an EOD technician. He relocated to KY in 2009 when he was stationed at Fort Campbell, KY with the 101 st Airborne and the 52 nd Ordnance Group (EOD) and was stationed and Fort Campbell until 2016.
The Romine family moved to Richmond, KY where Alec worked as a government contractor. In 2017 he decided to pursue higher education and attended both the University of Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky University. In 2020 Alec earned a Bachelor's of Science in biology. He is currently pursuing a Master's in Business Administration from Northern Kentucky University.
Alec and his wife, Cynthia, have three boys and one girl. When they are not working at their jobs, they love to spend time on their farm in Estill County where they raise sheep, have two donkeys named Winnie and Pluto, and a sweet Holstein cow named Karen. They also enjoy hiking, fishing, and mountain biking as a family. Two of their boys play ice hockey for the Lexington Thoroughbreds. Alec and Cynthia are regular volunteers within that organization. On top of volunteering Alec also plays in the adult league through Lexington Amateur Ice Hockey Association.
Alec joined the Bray and Oakley family in 2021 and is excited for to be a part of such a caring group that gives so much back to the community.
Job Titles:
- Personal Lines Audit Assistant / Billing Specialist / Claims Representative - Logan Office
Amber is our personal lines audit assistant, billing specialist and claims representative. Amber has been with Bray and Oakley since 2019. When Amber is not working, she enjoys spending time with her son, Peyton, her family and reading.
Education:
Man High School
Job Titles:
- Account Manager
- Customer Service Representative
- Account Manager and Also a Customer Service Representative for Commercial Lines at Bray & Oakley.
Amy Compton is an Account Manager and also a Customer Service Representative for Commercial Lines at Bray and Oakley. Amy has been with our Bray and Oakley team for over two years, during this time Amy obtained licensing in Property and Casualty. Amy had a 10-year management background. Amy is outreach minded and has a heart for her community and devotes a lot of her time in helping others. When Amy is not working or volunteering, she enjoys time with her husband Michael, her son Austin and daughter n law Payton, & her greatest joy is being a Grammy to her 2 grandchildren Avery & Alex.
Education:
Man High School C/O 1996
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
Betsy started her insurance career with Ramsey Insurance Services in Weston, WV in 2007. Here she found a love for insurance and the customers, she wants to be sure that she provides each customer with the very best coverage available for them. As a CSR licensed in property and casualty, she truly enjoys putting all the pieces in place to meet the customer's need. Home - auto - fire - farm - recreational vehicles - and more.
She has one daughter, Shannon Carpenter and son-in-law Jason. Shannon is the greatest gift the lord has given her. She enjoys spending time with her long-time love Rick and working together on their farm. She has a passion for quilting and loves passing the quilts on to others to love. In August 2021, Ramsey Insurance joined the Bray and Oakley family and so a wonderful new journey has begun.
Job Titles:
- Office Manager for the Chapmanville, WV
- Office Manager, Chapmanville, WV
Brittany Farley is the office manager for the Chapmanville, WV location for Bray and Oakley. She is also a Customer Service Representative and takes great pride in working hand in hand with the commercial lines production team. Brittany's experience and knowledge of commercial lines products allows her to provide thorough account reviews, product knowledge, and competitive markets for new business, as well as the book of business that she services on a day-to-day basis. Brittany has been with Bray and Oakley for over 5 years and has achieved many professional and respected insurance designations such as Accredited Advisor of Insurance (AAI), Associate in Insurance Services (AIS), and Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR).
Education:
Man, High School C/O 2004
Southern WV Community & Technical College
Carrol began her insurance career with Bray & Oakley in 1993 as the receptionist and claims clerk. She is now the manager of our five locations and works in our commercial lines department. Carrol specializes in large commercial accounts, workers compensation, municipalities, non-profits and excess liability for WV Board of Risk & Insurance Management insureds. Carrol is also our human resource manager and is instrumental in organizing the administrative process of new ventures for our agency.
Carrol is a graduate of Logan High School, attended training at the J.O.B.S Company, Southern WV Community & Technical College and has attained her Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) insurance designation.
Carrol has been married to the most patient man alive since 1999. She and Robert have reared three adults and now share their empty nest home with the cutest, wrinkly-faced dog, Otis. In her down time, you can find Carrol porch-sitting with Otis, gardening or reading. She is a member of the Logan Church of the Nazarene where she has served as the treasurer, youth leader, nursery and kids worker, bus driver and board member.
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
- CSR
Job Titles:
- Manager of the Lexington Office
- Office Manager Lexington
As manager of the Lexington Office, Claude has over 30 years of experience helping people with their insurance. He has been an Agent and a Trainer and a Manager throughout his career. He has a caring attitude and an excellent ability to communicate. This, combined with his insurance experience and expertise, makes him a wonderful asset for our Agency and for those whom we serve.
Education:
Tates Creek High School in Lexington, KY
University of Kentucky Graduate Bachelor of Business Administration
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
Crystal has been with Bray & Oakley since June 2018, receiving her licenses in Property and Casualty and Life Insurance. She is dedicated to helping customers with policy changes and making sure they have the coverage needed. She strives to help her customers to better understand their needs. Besides her work in insurance, she has been a Shotokan Karate instructor with Trogdon's Shotokan Karate Academy since 2013 and has earned her Second-Degree Black Belt.
Education:
Man High School C/O 1985
Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College - Associate Degree in Business
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative / Auditing
Crystal is a dedicated commercial lines insurance agent working with Bray and Oakley Insurance Agency. She has years of experience owning and running several successful small businesses together with her husband, David. Together their goal is to promote positive community and economic growth in their hometown.
She truly understands her clients' needs and concerns. As a small business owner herself, Crystal takes pride in helping individuals and small businesses with excellent insurance protection. With her firsthand knowledge of the needs and operations of business she is uniquely qualified. She brings her varied work experience to each account.
Additionally, Crystal is responsible for developing, implementing, and conducting internal audits for the agency's accounts. She dedicates each day to the logistics of our independent insurance agency so each of our customers feel valued and their coverage and customer service expectations are met. When she's not on her computer or phone, she enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, decorating the family's home, and enjoying her children Hillary and Grayson Jack.
Job Titles:
- Certified Insurance Counselor Designation - in Progress
Danny oversees the sales force at Bray and Oakley Insurance Agency in both the West Virginia and Kentucky locations. He joined the Bray and Oakley team in 2013 following 12 years of service in mining where he specialized in business-to-business sales with some of the largest companies in the mining industry. Danny now works hands-on with the production team at Bray and Oakley specializing in Home, Auto, Commercial, and life sales along with sales training, including business-to-business sales, business-to-consumer sales, underwriting, prospecting, marketing, closing, and production.
Education:
Logan High School 1998
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
- Service Agent
Deanna is a commercial lines service agent. With 10 years of experience at Bray & Oakley, she will coordinate your renewal information with all competing carriers on your renewal. She assists producers with gaining new commercial clients and providing their insurance needs or requests.
Job Titles:
- Accredited Adviser of Insurance and an Associate in Surplus Lines Insurance
Debbie Austin began her insurance career in 1979 as a policy typist. She soon discovered she needed more of a challenge and became a licensed agent selling personal and commercial insurance. In 1985, she began her 17-year stint at Bray & Oakley Insurance Agency as a producer and manager of the agency. In 2002, she re-located with her family to the Teays Valley area working as a Commercial Lines Underwriter in the Excess & Surplus Lines side of the industry. Ten years later, she remarried and became co-owner of Ramsey Insurance Services, Inc., a third-generation family-owned independent insurance agency in Weston, WV. She collaborated with her husband, and later became the agency Principal upon his death. Ramsey Insurance Services recently merged with Bray & Oakley Insurance Agency, where she now works remotely as a Commercial Lines CSR from her new home in Asheville, NC.
Debbie holds designations as an Accredited Adviser of Insurance and an Associate in Surplus Lines Insurance. She is a Hillbilly from Man, WV, graduating from MHS in 1973. She attended Marshall University, focusing on creative writing, journalism, and accounting. She also attended the Harleysville School of Insurance.
Debbie is married to Carl "Skip" Austin, also originally from Logan. Together they live with their puppy boy, Artie, in Asheville, NC. She is the mother of two sons, having recently lost her youngest son, Zachary, who had followed her in the insurance business. She is a grandmother to Connor Wade who will be getting a little brother in the spring of 2022.
Debbie enjoys quilting, reading, and hopes to rekindle her life-long desire to write. She is the author of two published non-fiction articles, and various trade articles.
Don Sharrock, a.k.a. "Coach", coached football, basketball, and baseball in Winchester, KY for 17 years . He spent his early years in Manassas, VA until the age of 14. He then moved to Bluefield, VA and attended Graham High School where he was recruited to play basketball and baseball at Bluefield College in Bluefield, VA. He is married to Ruthann Sharrock, also of Bluefield VA. Ruthann is currently the Principal at Strode Station Elementary in Winchester, KY. He has three sons, Dr. Chris Sharrock, Todd Sharrock, C.S.C.C., and Dr. Luke Sharrock. Work history: District Manager with McCormick Spice Co. for 10 years and Territory Manager with Ecolab for 15 years. He has currently been with Bray & Oakley Insurance Agency since 2015 as a licensed agent.
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
- over 10 Years of Administrative Assistance Experience / over 15 Years of Customer Service Experience
Hannah has 7+ years of experience in the insurance industry. She began her career in 2014 in Lexington, KY where she worked for a large commercial lines agency as an Account Manager prior to relocating to her hometown in late 2019. Fortunately, she was able to pursue her passion for insurance in the hills of Eastern, KY with Bray & Oakley. She provides the highest degree of customer service to her clients by listening to their needs and working diligently with them to implement a plan that meets all of their concerns. She is committed to "serving, not selling" and sharing her expertise to empower her clients.
Hannah enjoys spending all of her free time with her three children, doing all things outdoors!
Job Titles:
- CISR - CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, LEXINGTON OFFICE
- Customer Service Representative, Lexington Office
Education:
Logan High School, graduate
Marshall University
Shawnee State University
Job Titles:
- Insurance Producer, Pikeville
Jordan is a lifelong resident of eastern Kentucky. He was raised in Floyd County where he now resides with his wife. They are expecting their first child in April 2021. After college Jordan began his career in banking which later led him to insurance. He started his insurance career as a life insurance agent in 2015. He later joined the team at Bray & Oakley in 2017. He specializes in home, auto, commercial and life insurance.
Education:
Betsy Layne High School
Big Sandy Community and Technical College
Pikeville College
Commonwealth Schools of Insurance
Kathy joined our Bray and Oakley team in 2021 in Office Administration at the Richmond Office. She is currently working towards receiving her licenses in Property and Casualty and Life Insurance. She says she is, "Glad to be a part of a family oriented team that is so willing to help and encourage each other." We are glad she is on our team.
Throughout her career in office management she has been responsible in communicating with clients about their needs. This assures that she will work to help you when you do business with our Richmond location.
Kathy has been a lifelong resident of Madison County, Kentucky. She has 4 children and 4 grandchildren and loves to spend her free time with them in the beautiful outdoors. Her most perfect days are spent with family at the lake. She also enjoys fishing and hiking. Kathy is a fan of University of Kentucky athletics, especially the UK basketball team.
Katrina has been with Bray and Oakley since 1999 and is the personal lines manager for our five locations in WV and KY. She is involved in the audit process, reunderwriting, rounding out accounts, writing new business and servicing her customers' insurance needs. Katrina takes great pride in making sure our insureds have the insurance they need to protect themselves and their possessions while making sure they are with the insurance carrier that will provide the most competitive price for their policies.
In her personal time Katrina enjoys spending time with her children and her grandchildren. She enjoys the beach, swimming, reading, and being anywhere her three grandsons are.
Education:
Logan High School
Southern WV Community College
LeAnn Adkins has been with the Bray and Oakley Insurance Agency since 2016 and has over 16 years in the insurance business. She specializes in Home, Auto, Commercial, and Life insurance. She has been recognized by her carriers multiple times for her extraordinary commitment to high level Life Insurance sales. When we asked LeAnn what her goals are as an insurance professional, she replied, "It's building a personal relationship with my clients and their families that will last a lifetime. Building that trust and confidence allows me to focus on the client's overall risk, and provide them protection that they can trust." She believes in giving back to her community by being an Alumni member of Leadership Logan County, West Virginia.
In LeAnn's spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike, and their three kids in Man, West Virginia. She also enjoys traveling to tournaments across the country to watch her daughter play softball, listening to her talented oldest step-son play piano in the church, and watching Marvel movies with her ever so smart and gifted youngest step-son.
Libby is our receptionist and personal and commercial lines support, who takes care of claims, billing questions, payments and more. She has been with Bray & Oakley Insurance Agency for over 4 years. She is possibly the first voice that you hear when calling our agency and the first person you will see when you walk through the doors. She can help to get you to the right person for your insurance needs. Libby went to Logan High School, Ralph R Willis Vocational School, and SWVCTC, taking Secretarial and Accounting. She has 26 years in management working for several businesses. In her spare time, she loves to Craft, Quilt, Hike, and spend time with her kids and grandkids.
Job Titles:
- School past PTO President
Job Titles:
- Office Safety Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Bookkeeper
- Accounting / Bookkeeping
Mariah Toler is the Bookkeeper for Bray and Oakley. She has been with our team for nearly 5 years. She is a 2014 Marshall University Graduate where she double majored and received a Bachelor's of Business Administration in Accounting & Finance. Mariah has a caring heart and loves to help others. Mariah is a member at Word of Life Church and a volunteer in the Children's Ministry. When she is not working, Mariah loves spending time with her husband, son, family, and church family.
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Co - Owner of the Bray & Oakley Insurance Agency Inc., Which Comprises 5 Offices: Bray & Oakley Insurance Agency in Logan and Chapmanville, WV and in Lexington, Richmond, and Pikeville, KY
After graduating Marshall University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance, Michael became the fourth generation to enter into the insurance industry when he began his career as a producer at Bray & Oakley Insurance Agency in 1999.
In 2008, Michael earned his Masters of Business Administration from Marshall University while working full time at Bray & Oakley Insurance Agency. In 2009, Michael obtained the insurance designation of Accredited Advisor in Insurance from the Insurance Institute of America. Michael is also Graduate of the University of Charleston CFP Program. He attended the Safeco Personal Lines and Commercial Lines school in Seattle Washington and served on the State Auto Eastern Region Agents Advisory Council in 2008.
Michael currently serves on the LB&T Bank Holding Company Board, LB&T Audit Committee Board and LB&T Loan Discount Board. He has been a past Board member for the Logan Salvation Army and recently served as the Logan Rotary Club President and held this position for 7 years.
Michael was a graduate of the Leadership WV in 2004 and is a Lifetime Member. Michael recently received the Agency of the Year Award from Erie Insurance for his Community Involvement. Michael is the immediate past President of the IIAWV Association and has served as a board member for the past six years.
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
Miranda Hawkins is a Customer Service Representative licensed in Property, Casualty, Health, and Life Insurance at Bray & Oakley Insurance Agency, Inc. dba Ramsey Insurance Services in Weston, WV, where she specializes in Personal Lines insurance sales and service. A third-generation, life-long resident of Weston, Miranda began her insurance career in 2021. Prior to joining Ramsey Insurance Services, she was employed in Retail Management for many years. She brings with her a valuable experience in customer service that translates into caring and listening to her customers and their needs.
Miranda graduated from Lewis County High School and then went on to get her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Glenville State College. She achieved her WV Resident Agents' license Property and Casualty Insurance of August 2021, and her Life and Health Insurance license in December of 2021.
In her spare time, Miranda enjoys spending time with her husband, Jason and her stepson, Collin, as well as, their Chihuahua mix dogs, Eleanore and Rigbee, and three cats, Makhenna, Sofiee, and Scarlett. She also enjoys vacationing at the beach, hiking, watching True Crime shows, being with her family, and listening to The Beatles and classic rock.
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
Rena is one of our newest go getters here at Bray & Oakley. She is eager to learn the insurance business as she has only been with us a year and has achieved her Property and Casualty license. She carries the title of Customer Service Representative and is looking to advance that title. She finds joy in helping her clients receive the best care they can get. She enjoys traveling and watching sporting events with her 3 boys. Her motivational quote has been "Survival was my only hope, success my only revenge."
Education:
Harts High School C/O 1997
Job Titles:
- Producer
- Insurance Producer With Bray
Taylor Helms is an insurance producer with Bray and Oakley Insurance in the Chapmanville, W.V. branch. Although Taylor is now working in Chapmanville, her roots are in Logan. She graduated from Logan High School in 2012. After high school, Taylor began assisting her mother with a family-owned restaurant. Taylor's time in the service industry gave her wonderful interpersonal skills. When they sold the family business, Taylor began conducting visits with children in foster care. While awaiting a child of her own, she attempted to make a small impact on the lives of those in need. Not only did she work with children, but also, Taylor worked as a mail handler with USPS. After working two jobs for numerous years, she decided to put all of her drive and effort into one career. In 2021, Taylor obtained her insurance license. She joined our team shortly after! Taylor now specializes in home and auto insurance. If she isn't working, she's at home enjoying time with her family. Taylor enjoys a good Netflix binge; however, she can also be found on long walks on country roads.
Ted has over 30 years of extensive experience in the insurance industry and joined the Bray and Oakley Insurance agency in 2011. Ted provides individual attention to all your insurance needs, however, his expertise is providing comprehensive sales and service in the commercial insurance sectors. Ted is a former member of the WV House of Delegates and is a current board member of the Logan County Ambulance Authority ( L.E.A.S.A. ). Ted is an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America, a member of Aracoma Lodge #99, Scottish Rite, and an active member of Shriners. He attended Fork Union Military Academy, Logan Senior High School, and Marshall University.
Todd was born and raised in Central Kentucky and has spent most of his career in sales, with a strong emphasis on making sure the customer has an outstanding experience. He is located in the Lexington Office and is ready to assist you with all of your property, casualty, and life insurance needs. In his free time, Todd can be found either out on the water at one of the area lakes or by the campfire, usually with his wife and two dogs. He has three adult children that make him very proud.
Education:
Western Hills High School
Murray State University
Job Titles:
- Insurance Producer for the Bray
- Insurance Producer, Chapmanville, WV
Tommy Quick is an Insurance producer for the Bray and Oakley Insurance Agency and works out of the Chapmanville, WV office. Tommy started with Bray & Oakley in 2016 following a 6 year sales career with one of the largest motorsports suppliers in the country. Tommy specializes in Home, Auto, Commercial, and Life insurance offering over 10 years' experience in business-to-business, and business-to-consumer sales. In Tommy's spare time, he enjoys going to church with his family and sharing his love of sports with his two beautiful daughters, Raegan and Harlee.