PIA’s Ascending Leaders Council brings together a dynamic group of next-generation independent agents committed to shaping the future of the industry. Formed by co-founders, Vonda Copeland, National Director for Kansas and Staci Shearon, Executive Vice President of PIA Arkansas, the Council was born out of their shared recognition that new voices and fresh perspectives are vital to PIA’s continued growth. They saw a need to connect with the energy and innovation of emerging agents at the national level—and knew that the affiliates across the country were filled with outstanding talent ready to engage.
“Tomorrow’s agency owners and employees need a space to share ideas and accelerate professional growth while, at the same time, bringing their insights to PIA. The Ascending Leaders Council is an important catalyst for change—equipping rising professionals with insights, resources, and the confidence to guide and motivate others. Staci and I co-founded the Council because we saw the incredible potential of new agents nationwide and the opportunity to connect that energy directly to PIA’s mission.”
— Vonda Copeland, National Director for Kansas PIA and co-founder of the Council
Today, the Ascending Leaders Council identifies the challenges that new agents face and helps PIA develop meaningful, practical solutions. The group explores fast-evolving areas such as market volatility, emerging technology, and shifting customer expectations, while fostering an agency culture that values professional development, mentorship, and flexibility.
The Council has already begun developing a new agents’ guide, a collaborative project with PIA’s National Carrier Council. The guide will focus on essential areas of career success—networking, finding and working with mentors, professional growth, and building lasting industry connections. This initiative reflects the Council’s mission to help new agents not only adapt but thrive in today’s marketplace.
“Agents coming into this industry today are juggling new tools, new demands, and new opportunities. The Ascending Leaders Council gives them a voice, a network, and a platform for growth. Vonda and I wanted to make sure that next-generation agents are supported and heard—and that their ideas help shape the future of our association and our industry.”
— Staci Shearon, Executive Vice President of PIA of Arkansas and co-founder of the Council
Members of the Ascending Leaders Council
- Anna Babbitt, Babbitt Insurance Group, Enumclaw, WA
- Kathleen Bailey, The Russell Agency LLC, Southport, CT
- Joel Dunham, Ovation Insurance, Fort Wayne, IN
- David Gorman, Red Gorman Insurance, Dallas, TX
- Brody Hjelmstad, Hjelmstad Insurance Agency, Thompson, ND
- Tim Latimer, JS Braddock Agency, Medford, NJ
- Jessica Miller, Gallagher, Hammond, LA
- Logan Wood, Gordon Wood Insurance & Financial Services, Roseburg, OR
Leading with Heart
Anna Babbit, Babbit Insurance Group
When Anna Babbitt joined Babbitt Insurance Group in Enumclaw, Washington, she wasn’t simply stepping into a family business — she was carving out her own place in an industry she’s come to love.
“I always knew insurance was an option,” she says, “but I wasn’t set on it.” After earning her psychology degree, she thought she’d work in counseling — until a summer internship at Mutual of Enumclaw changed her perspective. “That internship sealed the deal,” she recalls. “I realized how much opportunity there was in insurance and how much I enjoyed helping people through real-life situations.”
Eight years later, Babbitt’s passion for clients and community drives everything she does. She’s now transitioning from personal lines advisor to an agency management role, a shift that brings both excitement and challenge. “It’s like when a teacher becomes an administrator,” she says. “You may miss the daily interaction, but you get to make a bigger impact.”
For Babbitt, that impact comes from listening, communicating clearly, and keeping people at the center of every decision. “Insurance can be overwhelming, especially now,” she explains. “My goal is to make it less intimidating — to help clients feel heard, understood, and protected.” She still loves those one-on-one conversations, even when they run long. “Sometimes a client just needs to talk for an hour. Maybe it’s not about the policy at all, but you’ve made their day better. That matters,” she says.
Enumclaw’s small-town roots shape much of her approach. “We serve hardworking people — families, farmers, business owners — and I take pride in being part of that community,” she says. “Seeing clients grow through life stages, from their first cars to their first homes to their own kids, that’s the best part.”
Now a member of the PIA Ascending Leaders Council, Babbitt is bringing her voice and her natural curiosity to the national conversation. “I’m getting out of my comfort zone,” she says. “I’ve always had my dad as a great mentor, but I wanted to learn from others too — how different agencies operate, what challenges they’re facing. The council is helping me grow beyond our four walls.”
She’s also found inspiration from fellow leaders who encouraged her to speak up, take chances, and embrace discomfort. “I’m not the loudest person in the room,” she admits. “But I’ve learned that saying, ‘I don’t know, but I want to learn,’ opens doors.”
To young professionals, she offers simple advice: don’t overlook insurance. “People think it’s boring, but it’s anything but,” she says. “It’s about relationships, problem-solving, and making a difference when people need you most. There’s a place for everyone here.”
As she looks ahead, Babbitt is preparing to one day lead the agency her family built on her terms. “I want to continue evolving,” she says. “If I can help others feel supported and inspired along the way, that’s success to me.”
Making a Difference in a Changing Industry
Kathleen Bailey, The Russell Agency
Like many in the insurance industry, Kathleen Bailey didn’t plan to end up here. “I was finishing school and working at a diner across from an insurance agency,” she recalls. “They had an opening, and I knew a few people there. One of them said, ‘You’d be great at this.’ I was nervous, but I decided to give it a try.”
That decision set the course for a career that’s now spanned more than 15 years — and transformed from a job into a true calling.
Bailey started as a commercial account manager in 2008, learning the fundamentals of coverage, customer service, and client care. Then in 2014, a pivotal conversation with her boss changed everything. “I was about to get married, buying a house, and life was crazy,” she says. “My boss came to me and said, ‘I think you’d be great in sales.’ It was scary, but knowing he believed in me gave me the confidence to go for it.”
That leap paid off. Today, Bailey is a personal lines producer at The Russell Agency in Connecticut, handling home, auto, and umbrella insurance, along with some small commercial accounts. “I never thought of myself as a salesperson,” she admits. “But what I realized is that sales in insurance are really about listening and helping.”
Her approach — steady, organized, and deeply client-focused — has earned her a reputation for reliability and trust. “I like being the person who goes above and beyond,” she says. “Even if premiums are going up, I want my clients to know I’m trying, that I’ve looked at every option. People appreciate when you communicate honestly.”
That sense of commitment extends beyond her agency. Bailey is an active member of the PIA of Connecticut, where she’s been instrumental in advocacy efforts, including legislative work to simplify legacy insurance forms. Her leadership caught attention nationally — when PIA launched its Ascending Leaders Council, she was invited to join. “Jeff Parmenter reached out,” she recalls. “I didn’t hesitate. I love that PIA isn’t just about your job, it’s about making the industry better.”
Over the past decade, Bailey says her biggest growth has come from pushing past her comfort zone. “PIA has helped me so much,” she says. “Speaking up in meetings, talking with people I used to be intimidated by — now I just do it. It’s been huge for me.”
She also credits ongoing education — she’s currently working toward her CPCU designation — with strengthening her expertise and credibility. “It makes me feel better knowing I can explain something clearly,” she says. “It builds confidence, and clients can tell when you know your stuff.”
Balancing career and family life is another source of pride. As the mom of two daughters, ages four and seven, Bailey values the flexibility her agency provides. “I can work from home a couple of days a week,” she says. “It lets me be there for my girls and still do what I love. Insurance has given me stability and balance.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to continue mentoring others and helping reshape perceptions of the industry. “People think insurance is boring, but it’s not,” she says. “There’s always something new to learn, new problems to solve, and new people to help. That’s what keeps me excited — and that’s what I want others to see too.”
Building Legacy and Leadership
Joel Dunham, Ovation Insurance
When Joel Dunham first set foot at The Ohio State University to pursue a marketing degree, the last place he expected to find his calling was in the insurance industry. “I thought I wanted to work at an advertising firm,” he recalls. “But after two internships I hated, I knew that wasn’t it.” A timely opportunity soon appeared closer to home. His aunt, an insurance agency owner, was looking for a succession plan.
Today, Dunham is the owner of Ovation Insurance, a Fort Wayne, Indiana–based agency that has nearly doubled in size under his leadership. His journey is a testament to both grit and vision. “When the opportunity’s there, you take it,” he says. “I didn’t want to be one of those people who looks back and says, ‘I could have.’
Since taking full ownership in 2016, Dunham has guided Ovation through a decade of transformation. Originally a personal lines–heavy agency, the agency is shifting toward commercial business—a strategic response to a challenging personal lines market. “We’ve been beaten up by commissions and underwriting changes,” he says, “but we see opportunity on the commercial side. That’s where we’re heading.”
Dunham approaches leadership as a listener. “My job is to get obstacles out of everyone’s way so they can do what they do best,” he explains. Daily team check-ins, open communication, and a spirit of experimentation—he’s even testing AI support tools—define Ovation’s culture.
Dunham’s leadership extends beyond his agency. As past president of PIA of Indiana, he helped the organization navigate complex changes. Now, as a member of the PIA Ascending Leaders Council, he’s passionate about creating pathways for emerging professionals. “There’s always a need for young leaders,” he says. “When the student is ready, the teacher appears. Our job is to make sure those resources are there when they are.”
Mentorship has also played a major role in his own growth. Dunham also credits programs like Jason Cass’ Agency Intelligence and Dr. Billy Williams’ Inspire a Nation for broadening his perspective. “Those experiences showed me all the things I didn’t know,” he laughs.
Outside the office, Dunham and his wife stay busy raising their two young children. The couple also shares a creative streak: for years, they directed musicals at Joel’s alma mater. “You spend three months with people, and you learn who has the right work ethic,” he says. “That taught me a lot about leadership.”
Looking ahead, Dunham remains focused on sustainable growth—both for his agency and his industry. “Success, to me, is leaving something better than when I found it,” he says. “That’s true for Ovation, for PIA, and for the next generation coming up behind us.”
Driven to Build
David Gorman, Red Gorman Insurance
When opportunity rolled up to the door of his family’s Texas insurance agency, David Gorman didn’t just take the wheel—he built a whole new lane. A mechanical engineer by training, Gorman never planned on working in insurance.
After graduating college, he went into oil and gas, where he thrived on problem-solving and systems thinking. But when a layoff prompted him to return home and finish his MBA, he began helping out part-time at his father’s agency, Red Gorman Insurance, just until “something else came along.” That was nearly a decade ago. Today, Gorman has reimagined what the agency could be, launching a thriving commercial trucking division that now makes up about half the agency’s revenue.
What drew him in wasn’t insurance itself, it was the challenge of building something from scratch. “It felt like running my own startup,” Gorman says. “We were figuring it out piece by piece—what truckers needed, how to reach them, what kind of coverage made sense. It was slow at first, but the potential was huge.”
That experiment became a cornerstone of the agency’s growth. Working with small fleets and owner-operators, he discovered a group of business owners who were underserved yet essential to the economy. “Many of our clients are small businesses with one to five trucks,” he explains. “They’re juggling regulations, maintenance, and family life. If we can make insurance one less thing to worry about, we’ve done our job.”
Today, those clients find the agency through referrals and online searches from multiple states—a testament to the reputation Gorman has built for trust and expertise. “For me, it’s about consistency, communication, and curiosity,” he says. “Those three things build relationships that last.”
That mindset also defines his work on the PIA Ascending Leaders Council, where he sees a chance to give back and help shape the next era of independent insurance. “Our generation has a responsibility,” he says. “We’re inheriting an industry that’s evolving fast—technology, culture, expectations—and we have to keep it personal, relevant, and forward-thinking.”
The son of a beloved small-town agent, Gorman still values the brick-and-mortar connection—clients stopping by to pay a bill or say hello—but he’s also comfortable running a digital business from home, often with a toddler nearby and an ultramarathon on the weekend calendar.
He discovered long-distance running during COVID and now tackles 50- and 100-mile races. “It’s crazy,” he laughs. “But it keeps me grounded. You learn a lot about endurance, and that translates to everything else.”
For Gorman, success isn’t about titles or transactions. It’s about growth, grit, and making a difference—for his clients, his colleagues, and the next generation of independent agents.
Building Relationships that Last
Brody Hjelmstad, Hjelmstad Insurance Agency
When Brody Hjelmstad says insurance runs in his blood, he isn’t exaggerating. He’s the fifth generation in a family that’s been helping protect North Dakota communities for more than 75 years. His story has a long history, and today, it’s defined by his initiative, patience, and quiet confidence.
“I grew up watching my dad and grandpa build this business,” he says. “By the time I was in fifth grade, when other kids were saying they wanted to be basketball players, I was saying I wanted to be an insurance agent.”
That childhood vision became reality—first as a part-time producer while working another job, and now as a partner and co-owner of his family’s independent agency, Hjelmstad Insurance Agency, headquartered on their sixth-generation farm near Thompson, North Dakota. “I always wanted to own a business,” he says. “And I was lucky that generations before me had already built something strong. My goal is to grow it further and make it my own.”
Hjelmstad has been working at that. By age 29, he had achieved his goal of buying into the agency. Today, he’s leading the company’s growth across North Dakota, Minnesota, and Arizona, serving a client base that ranges from farmers to snowbirds. “It’s rewarding to see coverage pay off,” he says. “We recently had a client lose a lake cabin to a fire with significant losses. Being able to hand them a check that covered everything reminded me why this work matters.”
That commitment to integrity and service has deep roots. “My dad and grandpa always said claims are where we shine. That’s when clients decide what they think of you,” he explains. “If you’re not there in that moment, they’ll only ever see you as a bill.”
His easygoing, relationship-based approach to sales is another hallmark. “I’ve never been pushy,” he says. “I just plant seeds—offer to help, follow up, and be honest if I don’t have the answer. People respect that.” His patient, humble style has earned him a strong reputation and a growing stream of referrals without a single billboard or ad campaign.
In recent years, Hjelmstad has also emerged as a rising voice within PIA. Inspired by his first trip to PIA’s Advocacy Day in D.C. at age 22, he now serves on the PIA of North Dakota board and the PIA Ascending Leaders Council. “I saw how much influence and community there was in PIA, and I wanted to be part of that,” he says. “Being at the table matters.”
Looking ahead, Hjelmstad plans to take full ownership of the agency within the next few years, continuing the family tradition, while modernizing operations for a new generation. He’s also interested in giving back both by mentoring young agents and speaking at schools “Success, to me, is being trusted,” he says. “When clients twice my age look to me for advice, that means something. It means I’m doing it right.”
The Power of Innovation, Backed by Legacy
Tim Latimer, The Barclay Group and J.S. Braddock Agency
For Tim Latimer, insurance is more than a career—it’s deeply woven into his family’s history. As Vice President of The Barclay Group and J.S. Braddock Agency with offices in Burlington, Gloucester and Camden counties in New Jersey, he represents the third generation of leadership in a business that has been family-owned since the 1960s.
“The Barclay Group was founded by Walter Barclay, and when he died unexpectedly in the 1960s, my grandfather stepped in,” Latimer explains. “It’s been in our family ever since.” Today, the agency has grown into a thriving operation—including several acquisitions. His father leads the business and, his mother, brother, and sister also work at the agency. “We’re all in,” he laughs. “It’s truly a family affair.”
Latimer’s path to insurance was intentional. After earning a degree in Finance and Risk Management from Saint Joseph’s University, he faced a pivotal choice between joining a carrier or the family firm. “A professor told me, ‘If you choose not to work at your family agency, you’ll regret it,’” he recalls. “He was right.”
And he hasn’t looked back. His role allows him to blend operational leadership with his passion for hands-on risk management. “One part of my role involves working closely with school boards and public entities,” he says. “I love solving problems and helping them manage risk effectively. It’s not just about price — it’s about understanding what’s really at stake.”
Today, the firm has more than 100 employees. Latimer manages with the same philosophy his grandfather embodied: lead with respect and care. “Many of our staff have been with us for decades — one was even my babysitter growing up,” he says. “They’re like family.”
Latimer is equally focused on the future — particularly on bringing young professionals into the industry. “I’m really proud of all the new talent we’ve added over the years,” he says. “For example, we’ve partnered with carriers like USLI on programs that help train and support new producers. It’s a win-win — we get fresh energy, and they get hands-on experience.”
PIA has long been part of his family story. “My grandfather was involved in PIA,” he shares. “Then my dad became active, and now I’m carrying it forward.” Over the past eight years, Latimer has been involved with PIA of NJ— from serving as President of the New Jersey Young Insurance Professionals to contributing to the legislative and regulatory committee. “I went to Trenton to meet with the Commissioner of Insurance,” he says. “That experience really shaped how I see our industry’s impact.”
Now, as a member of the PIA Ascending Leaders Council, he’s eager to keep learning and giving back. “I’ve met incredible people who challenge me to think differently,” he says. “It’s about sharing ideas and supporting each other as we build the next generation of agency leadership.”
“I love this business because it’s about people,” he reflects. “Every day, we solve problems that matter. If I can help my team grow, support my clients, and carry our family legacy forward — that’s success to me.”
Finding Passion and Purpose in Insurance
Jessica Miller, Gallagher
When Jessica Miller talks about her start in insurance, she can’t help but laugh. “It was a happy accident,” she says. After years in the restaurant world — juggling event management, HR, and late-night shifts behind the bar — she and her husband decided it was time for a change. “We were ready for a life that didn’t start at midnight,” she recalls. So, she posted her résumé online, not knowing it would lead her to a career she’d come to love.
Her first agency front-desk role quickly turned into an exciting career. Within months, Miller was licensed and writing business. Over the next several years at Powell & Associates, she absorbed everything she could about insurance and got her first taste of leadership through the Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) of Louisiana. “Baylie Babin Gilly, a great friend and mentor, pulled me in,” she says. “She told me, ‘You’re going to love this,’ and she was right.”
In 2022, Miller made a leap that she admits felt daunting: joining Gallagher, one of the largest brokerages in the world. “I went from a 10-person office to a company of 30,000,” she says. “It was intimidating, but it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. The opportunities, the training, the people—it’s amazing.” Gallagher also embraced her PIA involvement. “They encourage it and see the value in having engaged, connected agents,” she says.
Today, Miller serves as an Excess and Surplus (E&S) Lines Specialist, handling complex personal lines for clients nationwide. “It’s a whole different world,” she explains. “We insure things that don’t fit in the standard market—multi-million-dollar homes, jewelry, even athletes’ liability policies. It lets me nerd out on the details.” She approaches every case like a puzzle, balancing risk, coverage, and creativity. “I’m a huge problem solver,” she says. “It can be stressful, but there’s nothing better than finding the right solution for someone who’s counting on you.”
That empathy—and sense of responsibility—drive her every day. “People work their whole lives for the things they own,” she says. “Their homes, their cars, their businesses. They trust us to protect those things. That’s what motivates me.”
Her leadership within PIA has grown as well. When Jody Boudreaux, EVP of PIA of Louisiana, reached out about a new national initiative—the PIA Ascending Leaders Council—Miller didn’t hesitate. “I didn’t even know what it was yet,” she laughs. “But I said yes. That’s just me—I’ll be nervous doing it, but I’ll do it.” Now, she’s helping shape the Council’s early direction and bringing energy and collaboration to the national level.
Miller, who lives in Springfield, Louisiana with her husband and two children, is also passionate about inspiring others to consider the industry. “People think insurance is boring—but it’s not,” she says. “You get to solve problems, meet amazing people, and make a real difference. We just need to make it fun and show what it really is.”
As for what’s next, she is focused on growing within Gallagher. She says, “I love learning, I love people, and I love this industry. And I want others to see what I see about insurance.”
Growing the Agency, One Opportunity at a Time
Logan Wood, Gordon Wood Insurance & Financial Services
For Logan Wood, insurance isn’t just a profession — it’s part of the family story. As a third-generation agent at Gordon Wood Insurance & Financial Services in Roseburg, Oregon, he’s helping shape the future of a business his grandfather built more than six decades ago. “Because it’s a family business, I got involved much sooner than many people,” Wood says. “When you grow up around it, you see firsthand how much impact insurance has — it’s not always glamorous, but it’s very important.”
After high school, Wood attended community college and even logged time at Little Caesars. “I was delivering pizzas, cutting dough, and eating way too much pizza,” he laughs. “But eventually I realized the agency offered a great long-term opportunity.”
That realization led him home. Through a health-insurance marketplace grant, he joined the agency as an intern and quickly discovered that the industry was a natural fit. Within a year, he earned his life and health license; the next year, property and casualty. “For me, doing both was about being versatile and making sure I could help any client who walked through the door,” he explains.
Now, Wood supervises the agency’s personal lines department while remaining deeply involved on the health side, especially during open enrollment — what he calls “the busiest time of the year.” Managing that workload requires structure and focus. “Time management is huge,” he says. “Anyone can be busy, but if you’re not intentional about how you spend your time, you limit how successful you can be.”
Delegation has been another major lesson. “It’s tempting to just do it yourself because it’s faster,” he admits. “But helping others grow means slowing down now so the whole team can go faster later.”
Wood also finds motivation in the relationships the business builds. “In a small community, people recognize your name,” he says. “You get to see the trust your family has built over decades, and that pushes you to uphold it.”
That same sense of connection drives his work with the PIA Ascending Leaders Council — a group he joined at the encouragement of PIA’s Northwest regional director, a longtime friend of his father’s. “It’s really special to continue that involvement,” he says. “My dad was active in PIA and even served as president of the Western Alliance. To be part of the next generation of leaders means a lot.”
He’d like to see more young professionals enter the industry. “If you just say ‘insurance,’ it doesn’t sound exciting,” he says. “But if you explain that you’re helping people make huge financial decisions, protecting what matters to them, and being part of their lives — that’s meaningful. It’s a career that never goes away, and there’s always something new to learn.”
Education continues to be central to his growth. He and his dad are going to take CPIA classes together, and he also plans to earn his CIC designation soon.
That determination defines him. Whether managing the agency’s expanding business, training staff, or navigating Oregon’s evolving insurance landscape, Wood views every challenge as a chance to get better. “A hard market just means more opportunities to help,” he says. “Every new lead or renewal is another opportunity — to teach, to grow, to serve. That’s what keeps me going.”
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