SHERRY WARD

I started working for High and Rubish in June of 2000 as receptionist. I obtained my Life and Health license in 2001 and accepted the position of Life and Health CSR in the same year. In the year of 2003, I also obtained my license in Personal lines Insurance, so that could assist our Personal Lines Department in times of need.

I have several roles in this organization. I am the Life and Health CSR; I am an administrative assistant to Jeff, Brad, and Luke, as well as the back receptionist. I also assist personal lines, when needed. I am the one my co-workers come to when the copier or fax machine is broken, and MAP Quest for anyone looking for directions in the area. As Jeff likes to say, "I wear many hats at High and Rubish."

Most people do not know that my name is Sharon Burgess Ward, and my nickname is Sherry. My mother is from Carrboro; I was born in Chapel Hill and raised in Pittsboro, so I am a local girl, through and through. My sister is Diane Barker, the Personal Lines guru. And as we like to say, we are Tarheel born, and Tarheel bred, and when we die we will be Tarheel dead. GO HEELS!!!!!

NATALIE ENGELHART

I began my insurance career in 1984 in Chapel Hill, NC. My first position was an assistant in the commercial lines department of Collier Cobb & Associates when it was located on Franklin Street. In 1988, I moved to Jackson, Mississippi and began working at an agency called Martin, Gordon & Jones in their commercial lines department. In 1991, I moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama and began work at Duckworth-Morris Insurance Agency as a commercial lines customer service representative. In 1994, I moved to Charlottesville, Virginia and worked as the commercial insurance assistant for Bruce Cabell, president of Cabell Associates.

My heart never left Chapel Hill, "Blue Heaven", and I was able to relocate back here in 1997. When I first came back to Chapel Hill, I was hired to work in the Habitat for Humanity Insurance Department at a local brokers branch office. This account was later transferred to their New Jersey office, and I went to work for Willis Corroon, (formerly Collier Cobb). That company had reorganization on 1999, which caused lay offs.

I have been with High and Rubish since October 1999. I handle commercial accounts — servicing existing accounts and soliciting new accounts. I believe insurance is a very interesting job — you get to have contact with many different types of accounts and learn new things daily. I also enjoy customer service work, which insurance involves a lot of. I would prefer my customers to remember me more for the service they receive instead of the competitive rates.

DOVIE JO CECIL

I began my career in insurance in 1986 when I accepted a position with the Orange County Farm Bureau. My primary responsibility at that time was to assist their four insurance agents. After several years I was promoted to Head-Secretary for the Orange County Farm Bureau. This position allowed me to coordinate and supervise all other office support staff. I was employed with Orange County Farm Bureau for fifteen years. In November of 2001 I accepted the position of CSR/Agent at High & Rubish Insurance Agency.

At High & Rubish I specialize in Personal Lines. My primary responsibilities are to service our existing clients and write policies for our new clients. Continuing education classes keep me updated on the changes within the insurance industry, allowing me to better assist our clients. Here at High and Rubish, we like to educate our clients also, keeping them informed and updated on changes that could effect their coverage and pointing out the possible need for additional coverage.

Since the beginning of my career, I've seen numerous changes in the insurance industry. I've also seen many changes in Chapel Hill as well as the surrounding Orange County communities. I'm deep rooted in Chapel Hill. I was born in Chapel Hill and lived here all my life. Yes, I'm a true Tarheel!

TINA ENNIS

Hey just wanted to let you know a little about myself and my years of experience in Personal Lines Insurance. I have worked in Personal Lines for 24 years now. I first started my career with Whitehurst Insurance Agency in Durham in 1984 as a CSR/Agent. Then moved on to Carolina Insurance Agency in Durham in 1989 where I worked as a CSR/Agent as well. While employed with Carolina Ins. I obtained my Property and Casualty Licence in 1993. The Owner of Carolina Insurance Agency decided to retire and sell the business to a local Agency in the area. The business was purchased by Village Insurance Agency/Business Insurers in Chapel Hill. The owner of Village Ins was kind a enough to employ me, as well as take on a new book of business, where I worked as a CSR/Agent for several years. I then moved on in 2000 to Insurance Center of Durham, in Durham NC in order to be closer to home and Worked there as a CSR/Agent for many years. I am now back in Chapel Hill, working at High & Rubish Insurance Agency as a CSR/Agent since 2005. I enjoy working with the group of people we have on staff here, and hope to continue for many years.

JEAN HACKNEY

I began my work in the insurance industry in 1979. Before coming to High and Rubish Insurance Agency in 1992, I worked for JL and J Slade Crumpton, Inc./Crumpton Company in Durham. I have retained my Property and Casualty license but do not sell insurance. I am currently serving as the bookkeeper and administrative assistant at High and Rubish.

DIANE BARKER

I began my insurance career in 1988 when I accepted a position at Crum & Forster Insurance Company in Durham, NC. In 1990, I obtained my Property and Casualty insurance license. In 1991, I accepted the position of Customer Service Representative, (CSR), at Crumpton Company, a professional liability insurance company, located in Durham, NC. In 1993, I moved to the position of CSR/agent at Village Insurance Company, (Business Insurers of the Carolinas), located in Chapel Hill, NC. In August of 1999 I took the position of CSR/Agent at High & Rubish Insurance Agency.

I have continued my education in insurance by attending annual classes, which keep me up to date with the many changes in the insurance industry. I specialize in Personal Lines and focus my continued education in those fields.

I was born in Chapel Hill, NC and have lived in the area all my life. As they say, I am Tarheel born, and Tarheel bred, and when I die will be Tarheel dead.

LUKE RIGGSBEE

My family has lived in Chapel Hill-Carrboro since we can remember. My grandmother lives in the same house in Carrboro she has been in since the 60's. My parents currently live in Chapel Hill, as do my in-laws and many members of our extended family.

I attended Carrboro Elementary School, both Culbreth and Phillips Junior High Schools and Chapel Hill High School. I graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. After graduation, I worked in various industries, including technology, retail management, electrical and plumbing distribution and wholesale distribution of manufactured housing and structures.

I have in lived in South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Charlotte, NC, Phoenix, Arizona and recently Raleigh, NC. My wife Wendy was born and raised in Chapel Hill. We were married at Amity United Methodist Church on Estes Drive in 1997. We lived in Phoenix for six years. Our two daughters, Laura and Ellie, were born in Scottsdale. Our son, Lucas, was born in Raleigh, from which we recently moved to our home in Chapel Hill, to get back to where we started.

I began my insurance career in 2003 with Providence Insurance Agency in Raleigh. In September of 2005, I joined High & Rubish Insurance Agency as a Producer. In March of 2008, I completed the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation, which is a 90 hour in depth continuing education program designed to give a broad-based insurance perspective on all types of insurance policies and procedures. I am currently a Vice President of our corporation.

I maintain a focus on business insurance, but also work with personal insurance programs, including life and health insurance. I take an analytical, consultative approach to identifying risks and opportunities for my clients. The variety of markets and professions that I have worked in have instilled one common thread in me, that of the importance of superior customer service. Relationships with my clients and their families are paramount, for each and every client that I work with. Tailoring an insurance program to each individual client's needs is my approach to insurance. One size does not fit all when it comes to insurance policies, and it is important to review coverage annually to make sure all of the exposures are addressed and covered.

At High & Rubish Insurance Agency, we appreciate your business and the opportunity to service your insurance program. If you are not one of our current customers, or would like a competitive analysis and quote, please give us a call today!

MERRICK WILBOURN

CBIA CISR
Commercial Account Executive

My career in insurance began in 1984 when I became a partner in the firm The Insurance Associates in my hometown of Searcy, Arkansas. I later sold my interest in the agency to my partner and went to work as a Senior CSR and Claims Supervisor for The Eubanks Agency/First Security Insurance in 1990. Three years later I was encouraged by friends to move to the Carolinas. In 1993 I moved to Winston Salem and worked for Carolina Commercial Insurance in Thomasville. Having owned an agency previously, I decided to open an agency of my own and did so in 1996 called Insurance Associates of the Triad.

In 2003 due to the terminal illness of my mother and mother-in-law I sold my agency to care full time for my family for a time. I returned to the insurance industry in 2004 to work as a Commercial Account Manager for The Rutherford Agency and later BB&T Asura. I came to work at High & Rubish in February of 2007. I enjoy working with my clients and the on going learning experience of the ever expanding and changing field commercial insurance.

JEFF RUBISH