Company Directory - We work for YOU
| Judy Besser | 270.737.2828 ext. 112 |
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Judy Besser, Commercial Lines Manager
Specialty
Judy has been in the insurance industry since 1976, working in all areas of the business including accounting, personal lines, and commercial lines. She is currently Commercial Lines Manager. Her specialty is large commercial insurance. She thinks the advantage of an independent agency is that there are numerous markets from which she can find the best coverage and price for her customers, and notes that Curneal & Hignite prides itself on its high level of customer service in all departments.Credentials
Kentucky Property and Casualty LicenseMember of various CSR Insurance advisory councils
Personal
Judy is a lifelong resident of Hardin County and a graduate of Elizabethtown High School. Judy and her husband Gary have been married since 1978. They are avid readers and have a collection of pets that includes 2 parrots, 4 aquariums, and their rescued cats Lucky and Cici.| Rachel E. Basham Burgess | 270.737.2828 ext. 108 |
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Rachel E. Basham Burgess, Receptionist/Support Staff
Specialty
Rachel has been employed in the insurance industry since 2004. She has worked as a receptionist and is part of the agency support staff to help facilitate a smoother interaction between the customer and the staff. Before working in an insurance office she was employed at a local department store and was in charge of the Reverse Logistics team.Credentials
Associate in Science: Business Management from the University of Kentucky.Personal
Rachel is a lifelong resident of Hardin County and a graduate of East Hardin High School. She has been married to her husband John for 16 years and says they are owned by several cats, their ball python, and their dog Ficus. Rachel and John are both active in their church praise band, and Rachel also enjoys listening to music, spending time with friends, reading, and laughing.| Michelle Byerley | 270.737.2828 ext. 119 |
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Michelle Byerley, Small Commercial Lines CSR
Specialty
Michelle has been in the insurance industry since 2004. She enjoys the variety of people she meets as a small commercial agent, she likes working with the public and helping her customers obtain the best insurance coverage for their businesses.Credentials
Kentucky Property and Casualty LicensePersonal
Michelle is a lifelong resident of Hardin County and a graduate of Elizabethtown High School. She is a member of the Elizabethtown Junior Women’s Club and a sponsor for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She likes to play tennis, read, and spend time with family and friends.| Joan Close | 270.737.2828 ext. 115 |
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Joan Close, Large Commercial Lines CSR
Specialty
Joan has been in the insurance business since 1978. She has experience in claims, personal lines, and agency accounting. Her current specialty is large commercial insurance. Joan looks for ways to be successful in writing and retaining business, and realizes that insurance is difficult for the lay person to understand. She knows that her customers depend on her to provide the coverage they need should a claim occur.Credentials
Kentucky Property and Casualty LicensePresented the “Outstanding Service Professional” award by Acuity Insurance in 2009
Personal
Joan has been married to her husband Eddie for 30 years. They have 2 children. She is active in church, enjoys yard work and spending time with her family.| Kaye DeRoush | 270.737.2828 ext. 101 |
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Kaye DeRoush, Receptionist
Credentials
Associate Degree in Office SystemsPersonal
Kaye is a lifelong resident of Hardin County and a graduate of Elizabethtown High School. She has a married daughter who lives in Louisville. Kaye married her high school boyfriend Steve in 2008.She enjoys reading, crossword puzzles, traveling, and playing the flute.
| Vicky Games | 270.737.2828 ext. 102 |
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Vicky Games, Claims Manager
Specialty
Vicky has worked in insurance claims since 1975. She currently manages the Agency's claim department. She loves her vocation and strives to assist both the insured and the company in compiling, understanding, and concluding each claim. She feels that every claim, no matter how large or small, is an inconvenience to the insured, and she wants to be able to simplify the claims process with the benefit of her experience and background.Credentials
Kentucky Claims Adjuster LicenseOrganizations
Past President of Kentucky Claims Association
Past Kentucky Claims Person of the Year
Personal
Vicky and her husband Rick are the parents of one son. Their son has blessed them with a wonderful daughter-in-law and 2 grandchildren. Vicky enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and outdoor sports as well as being very active in her church.| Gerald Hignite | 270.737.2828 ext. 113 |
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Gerald Hignite, Agency President / CEO
Specialty
Gerry has been successfully meeting the insurance needs of clients throughout Kentucky and beyond for over 40 years. He began his insurance career as a Claims Adjuster in 1968. His agency career began in 1970. In 1974 he became President and owner of the agency. Through his leadership and overall team approach, the agency ranks as a top independent producer of Property and Casualty insurance for Kentucky school systems and public entities. The agency is also a leading producer of similar coverage for businesses of all shapes and sizes whether they be in manufacturing, construction, or of the local “mom and pop” variety. Contractors especially rely heavily on his expertise to secure the bonding capacity needed to submit bids and earn new business. Realizing that one size or company does not fit all, he has partnered with in excess of 80 carriers to ensure we leave no stone unturned in pursuing and maintaining your business. As such, area businesses and residents can count on his professional team to thoroughly research the marketplace in order to provide the desired levels of coverage at very competitive prices.Credentials
Kentucky Property and Casualty LicenseKentucky Life and Health License
Tennessee Insurance Producer Non-Resident License
Georgia Non-Resident Agent License
Organizations
Member, Severns Valley Baptist ChurchBoard Member, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Board
Former Board Member, First Citizens Bank and Farmers Capital Bank
Avid supporter of Youth Sports and Outdoor Sports (hunting and fishing) related organizations
Personal
Gerry and his wife Susie have a daughter and he enjoys traveling with the family. He owns and shows bird dogs. When time permits he likes watching a good game of baseball, hunting, fishing, and other sports related activities.| Whitney Hignite | 270.737.2828 ext. 141 |
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Whitney Hignite, all Commercial Lines CSR
Specialty
Whitney has been in the insurance industry since 2009. She enjoys learning the insurance industry and is excited by the new opportunities and challenges of working with small business owners.Credentials
Kentucky Property and Casualty LicenseKentucky Life and Health License
University of Kentucky B.S. degree
Graduate Elizabethtown High School 1998
Organizations
Kentucky Young Insurance ProfessionalsPersonal
Whitney is a lifelong resident of Hardin County and a graduate of Elizabethtown High School. She enjoys reading, traveling, working out, and yoga. She is the owner of a chocolate lab named Zoe.| Terrie Hill | 270.737.2828 ext. 105 |
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Terrie Hill, Accounting and IT
Specialty
Terrie has been part of the insurance industry since 1983. She began her career at an agency in her native Florida where her experience began with mail handling and expanded to agency accounting and computer technology. She moved to Tennessee where she became a trainer for insurance management software systems, a position that took her to agencies all over the United States. In addition, she served as a software analyst, working with company programmers to develop and troubleshoot new agency management software. She is in charge of the agency accounting, and Information Technology. She enjoys the challenge of her position and likes the diversity of doing different things every day, including working one on one with the office staff to resolve technical issues.Personal
Terrie has been married to her husband Bob since 1978. They make their home in Tennessee and share their love of animals.| Gary Howell, J.D. | 615.504.8931 |
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Gary Howell, J.D., Commercial Lines Producer
Specialty
Having 9 years of agency, consulting and program administrator experience, Ibelieve that having a deep understanding of our insurance programs can be a powerful tool for my client. I continue to seek a diversified product range by following trends, improving our standard products, and listening to our clients. It has been my pleasure to work with a wide variety of clients, company individuals and agencies. From those experiences I am able to provide clients with quality products to fit their needs and reliable value-added service throughout the year.Credentials
Tennessee Property and Casualty LicenseTennessee Life, Accident and Health License
Graduate of:
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville–Bachelor of Arts in Political ScienceNashville School of Law-Doctorate of Jurisprudence
Organizations
Past Treasurer Evening Exchange Club of Donelson-HermitagePast Officer, Cumberland No. 8, F&A.M.
32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Valley of Nashville
Member, Tennessee Bar Association
| Keesha R. Irwin | 270.737.2828 ext. 109 |
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Keesha R. Irwin, Small Commercial Lines CSR
Specialty
Keesha has been in the insurance industry since 1999. She has 4 years experience as an underwriter for an MGA and has worked in agencies since 2003. Her current specialty is small commercial accounts where she enjoys working with many different types of business accounts and owners.Credentials
Kentucky Property and Casualty LicenseOrganizations
Kentucky Young Insurance ProfessionalsPersonal
Keesha is a graduate of Central Hardin High School. She has been married to husband Mitch for 5 years. They are the proud parents of two children. Keesha is a professional photographer with her own business specializing in family portraits. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and playing with her dog Sally.| Justin C. Howard | 270.737.2828 ext. 142 |
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Justin C. Howard, Personal Lines, Life Group & Health Producer
Specialty
Justin began his insurance career while attending Western Kentucky University and working as an intern with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. After graduating college he decided to obtain his Kentucky Property and Casualty license in order to offer a wide variety of insurance products to potential clients. Justin has been in the insurance industry since 2008 and has been trained to help individuals and businesses choose quality insurance programs that provide the best coverage for the best price. Whether it be home, auto, health, life or commercial policies, as a licensed Independent Agent, Justin does not work for one particular insurance company, he works for YOU the client, to protect what matters most.
Credentials
Kentucky Property and Casualty License
Kentucky Life and Health License
B.S Degree Marketing (Sales Emphasis) Western Kentucky University, 2008
LaRue County High School 2003
Organizations
Kentucky Young Insurance Professionals
BNI Organization (Business Networking International)
Personal
Justin is a native of Hodgenville, Kentucky who enjoys spending time with his wife Kelly and all family. He also enjoys being outdoors whether it be golfing, hunting or fishing.
| Loretta Gossett | 270.737.2828 ext.107 |
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Loretta Gossett, Commercial Lines CSR
Specialty
Loretta has been in the insurance industry since 1986. She has worked in all areas of business including personal lines, commercial lines and claims. Her current specialty is small commercial accounts. She finds it very rewarding to meet the insurance needs of customers and prides herself in customer service.
Credentials
Kentucky Property and Casualty License
Personal
Loretta is a graduate of Pulaski County High School. She is the mother of one son who attends college. She has made her home in Elizabethtown. She enjoys reading, football, traveling and spending time with family.
| Tom Major | 270.737.2828 ext. 122 |
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Tom Major, MBA, Life and Health Manager
Specialty
I am a full-time life and health agent who thrives on the challenge to provide you with creative solutions to complex situations, regardless of the circumstances. I am confident my twelve plus years of agency experience coupled with twenty plus years of financial management in business/industry enables me to balance the impact of the coverage purchased on the insured and the impact of the cost for the same on your bottom line or family budget. Relationship driven, whether it be the individual, a small business, or a large group. Appointed by insurance companies, but hired by YOU. I welcome the opportunity to work on your behalf.Credentials
Kentucky Life and Health License 1997B. A. Accounting from Kentucky Wesleyan College, 1979
M. B. A. from Embry-Riddle University, 1995
Organizations
Severns Valley Baptist Church (Usher and former Trustee)President, Kentucky Wesleyan College Alumni Association
Alumni Trustee, Kentucky Wesleyan College
Active volunteer for Sports Reach, a sports related ministry
Personal
I enjoy family(my granddaughters rule), KWC and UK basketball, playing golf, and reading biographies, legal fiction, and business publications.| Mary Kessinger | 270.737.2828 ext. 118 |
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Mary Kessinger, KACSR, Small Commercial Lines CSR
Specialty
Mary has been in the insurance industry since 2001. She is experienced in Commercial Lines and claims. Her current specialty is small commercial accounts. She feels that her years of experience working with a variety of commercial clients has provided her with the experience and knowledge she needs to best serve her customers and find the best coverage for their particular needs.Credentials
Kentucky Property and Casualty LicenseKentucky Accredited Customer Service Representative
Organizations
National Association of Professional WomenBaseball Booster
Church Activities
Personal
Mary enjoys watching her children’s ballgames and is an accomplished scrapbooker. She also enjoys reading in her spare time.| Donna Maynard | 270.737.2828 ext. 106 |
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Donna Maynard, ACSR, Personal Lines Manager
Specialty
Donna has been in the insurance industry since 1981. She has experience working in various agency departments. Her background includes Agency Accounting, Commercial Lines Customer Service and Personal Lines Customer Service. She is currently personal lines manager and handles marketing and servicing of personal auto, home, umbrella, boat and other specialty needs for our customers.Credentials
Kentucky Property and Casualty LicenseAccredited Customer Service Representative
Organizations
Kentucky Young Insurance ProfessionalsPersonal
Donna enjoys being with family, especially her four grandchildren, attending her grandsons’ baseball games, traveling with her four sisters and reading.| Larry Mitchum | 270.737.2828 ext. 143 |
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Larry Mitchum, Public Entities Specialists Commercial Lines Producer
Specialty
Since 1987 I have worked to provide Property, Liability, and Workers Compensation insurance to Public Entities. These prospects include Boards of Education, County Governments, City Governments, and Special Districts (Health Departments, Water Districts, etc.). When coverage is placed for a client, I believe my work truly begins. Through my 20+ years in this field I have seen that competitive bidding may realize initial savings, but persistent and effective Loss Prevention Services and reducing insured’s claims is what will keep their future premiums down.Credentials
Kentucky Property and Casualty LicenseKentucky Life and Health License
Tennessee Insurance Producer Non-Resident License
Organizations
Past President De Sales High School Alumni Association (2002-2006)Deacon at Shively Christian Church (2005-present)
Hazelwood Elementary Citizen of the Month Program
Former Member, SBDC’s Regional Advisory Board
Personal
Married to wife Elaine for 20 yearsResident of Louisville, KY
I enjoy spending time with my family and volunteering at church
| Donna Shelton | 270.737.2828 ext. 120 |
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Donna Shelton, ACSR, Personal Lines CSR
Specialty
Donna has been in the insurance industry since 1981. She has experience in personal lines and claims. She believes that her years of knowledge and understanding of people’s insurance needs help her to provide the best personalized insurance programs for her customers. She has worked with a wide variety of clients and insurance companies and draws on these experiences to provide the highest level of service possible.Credentials
Kentucky Property and Casualty LicenseAccredited Customer Service Representative
Organizations
Kentucky Young Insurance ProfessionalsPersonal
Donna and her husband David make their home on their family farm in Larue County. They are the parents of a daughter in college. Donna enjoys being with family, traveling, playing on the computer, and keeping up with various “reality” TV programs.| Joe Stewart | 270.737.2828 ext. 104 |
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Joe Stewart, Agency Executive
Specialty
Joe began his insurance career in 1994. As the starting point guard for his high school and college basketball teams, Joe understands the value of team work in accomplishing one’s personal and business goals. His teamwork mentality is very crucial in getting to know his clients well and discovering how he can assist them in protecting their assets through a well structured insurance program. As a small business owner himself, Joe clearly understands the importance of insurance coverage designed specifically for you and your business. Many businesses and families rely on Joe’s expertise to deliver the proper coverage at the most competitive price available.Credentials
Kentucky Property and Casualty LicenseKentucky Life and Health License
Ohio Non-Resident Agent License
Indiana Insurance Producer Non-Resident License
B. A. History from Campbellsville University
Recognized by two carriers as “Agent of the Year”
Organizations
Member, First Christian ChurchAdvisory Board Member, Campbellsville University
Board Member, Elizabethtown/Hardin County Chamber of Commerce
Former Member, SBA's State Advisory Board
Former Member, SBDC's Regional Advisory Board
Graduate, Leadership Elizabethtown
Personal
Joe and his wife Vicky have 2 daughters. He enjoys traveling with family, playing with his grandson, and attending athletic events.| Jeff Stiles | 270.737.2828 ext. 114 |
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Jeff Stiles, CIC, Large Commercial Lines CSR
Specialty
Jeff has been in the insurance business since 1989. He has commercial agency and Broker experience. His specialty is working with Public Entities and Contractors and he has worked with public utilities, city governments, and fire departments.Credentials
Kentucky Property and Casualty LicenseCertified Insurance Counselor
Graduate of Middle Tennessee State University
Organizations
Associate Member KY Rural Water AssociationPersonal
Jeff and his wife Shanda live on their farm in Adair County. Jeff enjoys football, traveling, and working outdoors.| Becky Travis | 270.737.2828 ext. 107 |
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Becky Travis, KASCR, Claims CSR
Specialty
Becky has been in the insurance industry since 2002. She has experience working with personal lines, commercial lines and claims. Her current specialty is handling claims. She feels the claims department exists to assist and advise the insured during a time that can be quite difficult. In the unfortunate event that you should have to file a claim, Becky will be there to answer questions and guide you through the claims process.Credentials
Kentucky Property and Casualty LicenseKentucky Accredited Customer Service Representative
Personal
Becky and her husband Don have 4 children. Two are in college and two are identical twins. Becky and her husband are avid youth sports fans and are active in the Elizabethtown Area Baseball Commission in various capacities, as well as being active in their church.| Jean Troll | 270.737.2828 ext. 111 |
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Jean Troll, Large Commercial Lines CSR
Specialty
Jean has been in the insurance industry since 1977. She has worked with agencies and companies. She has 16 years of experience in her native New York and has been in Kentucky since 1993. Her current specialty is working with school and large business accounts. She also has experience in claims and personal lines.Credentials
Kentucky Property and Casualty LicensePersonal
Jean has been married to her husband Jack for 27 years. They are the proud parents of 2 boys, one of whom is serving in the U.S. Army. Jean and Jack enjoy horseback riding, motorcycle riding, and are the owners of a riding stable and campgrounds in Edmonson County.| Butch Twyman | 270.855.1348 |
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Butch Twyman, School Specialist, Commercial Lines Producer
Specialty
Having 39 years experience in education, 32 in school administration with the last 18 years as a superintendent, I understand the insurance needs of school systems. I am client driven, wanting to provide you with the best coverage for the lowest price, while at the same time giving you the best customer service available.Credentials
Kentucky Property and Casualty LicenseTennessee Insurance Producer Non-Resident License
B.S. Western KY University
M.A. Western KY University
Rank I Western KY University































