Andy was born and raised in Knoxville, TN. He is an alumni of Bearden High School, class of 1991. He attended The University of Tennessee and graduated in the spring of 1995 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Following his father and grandfather’s footsteps, he joined Shafer Insurance Agency in the summer of 1995. In the spring of 2000, he was appointed President of Shafer Insurance Agency making him the third generation to lead the Agency.
Andy has worked in insurance for more than twenty (20) years and specializes in Commercial Property and Casualty. He is licensed in all states, with the exception of Arkansas. Andy works with several non-profit agencies, including The United Way of Greater Knoxville, Helen Ross McNabb Center, The Salvation Army, and more.
Direct: (865) 292-1128
Email: ashafer@shaferinsurance.com
Bo was born in Knoxville to Alex A. & Evelyn Shafer in 1937. Bo attended the University of Tennessee from 1955 to 1960 where he played football for the Volunteers. He graduated in 1960 with a degree in Business Administration.
As the second generation, Bo became President / Owner of Shafer Insurance Agency in 1960. Bo is the Chairman of the Board for Shafer Insurance® and works with many of the non-profit organizations in the community including the Salvation Army and United Way.
Bo served as the International President of Kiwanis and the Chairman of the 2008 East Tennessee Franklin Graham Festival.
Traci is the newest member of the Shafer Leadership Team. She graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and later obtained a Master’s in Business Administration. She is also certified in Lean/Six Sigma with a concentration on process improvement in service industries.
Traci has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry with a focus on Finance and Operations and has led large teams across the U.S. in both. She currently serves as an OBI Co-Chairman for the United Way of Greater Knoxville and is very involved in other non-profits in the community through her work with the Akima Club of Knoxville.
Direct: (865) 292-1135
Email: ttaylor@shaferinsurance.com
Jason Tallent graduated from The University of Tennessee with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He has worked in insurance for sixteen (16) years and currently holds the position of Vice President of Construction Practice at Shafer Insurance Agency. Jason specializes in Surety Bonds and Commercial Property and Casualty, and he is licensed in TN, KY, GA, NC, SC, OK, LA, FL, AL, MS, OH, VA, and WV. Jason has also received the Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist designation.
Direct: (865) 292-1106
Email: jtallent@shaferinsurance.com
An East Tennessee native and an active community member, Lisa is diligent in her efforts to build successful partnerships with her clients by focusing on service excellence and building cost effective benefits programs for clients. Her career began with a focus in Human Resources as an HR Director before specializing in benefits by accepting a position with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. Lisa moved into insurance sales and worked ten (10) years before joining Shafer Insurance Agency in 2008 to advance the Benefits division. Her experience as an advisor spans all industry types including government and utilities. Lisa’s lines of coverage include Health (fully insured, self-insured, level funded), Life, Dental, Vision, Disability, Accident, Critical Illness/Cancer, Long Term Care, Prepaid Legal/ ID Theft Protection, Business Owner /Executive Coverage, HSA/FSA/HRA.
Her designations include the PHR, certification as a Professional in Human Resources through the Society for Human Resources, and she is a certified PPACA specialist. Lisa served on the board of directors for the local chapter of the National Association of Health Underwriters and held the position of Legislative Chairperson. She is a past committee member for the Tennessee Association of Health Underwriters’ Annual Conference and is a member of the local downtown Rotary club.
Direct: (865) 292-1107
Email: lrobinette@shaferinsurance.com
Russell “Russ” Thomas graduated from Maryville College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Finance. He has been in the Risk Management Field for twenty-seven (27) years and currently works in marketing and claims with a focus on large national accounts. He specializes in Commercial Property and Casualty, loss-sensitive risk financing programs, alternative risk financing programs, and group captive programs. He is licensed in TN and provides. Russ also stays active in his community working with Alcoa Youth Football.
Direct: (865) 292-1123
Email: rthomas@shaferinsurance.com
Russ Townsend is a graduate of The University of Tennessee with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He holds an Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation, has a Property and Casualty Insurance license and is an OSHA authorized instructor.
He has been in the Safety profession for 31 years, after beginning his career as a TOSHA Compliance officer for the State of Tennessee. He has been with Shafer Insurance Agency 13 years. He leads our Safety Services department which provides our customers with safety consultation, workplace evaluations and employee safety training. Russ has also overseen the production of custom training videos on topics such as Jobsite Safety, Drug Free Workplace, and New Employee Orientations.
Direct: (865) 292-1109
Email: rtownsend@shaferinsurance.com
Catherine Barnes is the Human Resources Director for Shafer Insurance Agency and Shafer HR Solutions. She provides guidance to clients in the areas of wage and hour compliance, policy and handbook development and review, employee relations, performance management, staffing management, compensation management, and ERISA compliance.
Catherine has over twenty-two (22) years of Human Resources experience in automotive and in chemical manufacturing, in distribution, and in the financial services industries. She is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), a Professional in Human Resources – California (PHRca) and a Society for Human Resources Management-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). She graduated from Ball State University with honors and holds Bachelor of Science Degrees in Human Resource Management and in Corporate Finance and an MBA.
Catherine has been a member of the Tennessee Valley Human Resources Association (TVHRA) since 2005 and has served on the Board or in other leadership positions for twelve (12) years. Currently, she serves as the President for TVHRA. She has been an active member of SHRM for almost twenty (20) years. In 2015, she was awarded the Human Resources Professional Excellence Award by the Tennessee SHRM State Council.
Direct: (865) 292-1136
Email: cbarnes@shaferinsurance.com
Aaron Jensen is a graduate of Columbia International University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies and a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies. Aaron has been with Shafer Insurance Agency since September 2008. He is licensed in TN, VA, and NC and specializes in Commercial Property and Casualty, as well as Surety Bonds, with a focus on contractors and construction-related businesses. Aaron is an active member in the Johnson City Rotary Club, Tri-Cities AGC, and involved with other local non-profit organizations.
Direct: (423) 239-6235
Email: ajensen@shaferinsurance.com
James, “Stacy”, Woodard earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Tennessee Tech University. He has worked in insurance for thirteen (13) years and is currently a commercial lines producer. Stacy specializes in Commercial Property and Casualty, along with General Liability, Workers Compensation, Professional Liability, etc., with a focus on architects and engineers, as well as hotels and restaurants. Stacy is licensed in TN, NC, IL, IN, CA, and KY. Stacy is also a Loaned Executive for United Way of Greater Knoxville.
Direct: (865) 292-1137
Email: swoodard@shaferinsurance.com
Stanton Oster is a Producer in our Personal Lines department, and specializes in home, auto, life and other personal insurance needs. He earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Tennessee, and is licensed in Property, Casualty, Life and Health Insurance. Stanton is active in his church and the community, and his passion for serving is what led him to become an insurance professional. He enjoys assisting people in protecting their assets, while making insurance needs and choices more understandable.
Direct: (865) 292-1127
Email: soster@shaferinsurance.com
Charles “Bill” Rowland is a graduate of The University of Arkansas. He has been a Certified Insurance Counselor since 1986. He started his career as a producer and later became a co-owner of an independent insurance agency in Hope, Arkansas in 1982. In 1994, Bill joined Shafer Insurance Agency as a producer. He now functions as an Account Executive for the Commercial Lines Department.
Direct: (865) 292-1133
Email: browland@shaferinsurance.com
Bill “Weezy” Wiesehuegel began his career in insurance after graduating from The University of Tennessee with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Bill has worked in insurance for 28 years and currently serves as an Account Executive in the Personal Lines Department at Shafer Insurance Agency. His credentials include the Certified Insurance Counselor Designation and the Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow Designation, and he is licensed in the state of Tennessee. Bill enjoys helping people sift through the many options presented by the insurance agency, directing them towards the best route for their individual household needs, as well as assisting in the claims process.
Not only does Bill do great work in his role in insurance, but he is also actively involved in his community. He currently volunteers for Knoxville Leadership Foundation, serves breakfast at Volunteer Ministry Center, and participates in various church ministries. Bill has also served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer.
Direct: (865) 292-1105
Email: bwiesehuegel@shaferinsurance.com
Mike Compton graduated from The George Washington University with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1986 and is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Upon his discharge from the naval service in 1994, he began his insurance career. Mike currently works as an Account Executive in the Commercial Lines Select Business Department at Shafer Insurance Agency and specializes in commercial insurance and risk management with a focus on the needs for small to medium sized businesses. Mike stays active in the community by volunteering with Knox Area Rescue Ministries, Meals on Wheels, and local organizations in Sevier County where he resides.
Direct: (865) 292-1102
Email: mcompton@shaferinsurance.com