Meet our team!
You’ll find that our seasoned insurance advisors offer more than just health and employee benefit solutions. We’re experts located throughout the state of Georgia who are deeply passionate about serving our clients.
We provide practical solutions that are custom-matched to your needs, whether you’re a retired individual, a small business owner or running a large corporation. Find a local insurance advisor below and learn how your best interests are always our first priority.
Albany
Burt Riles
Burt Riles received his management degree from Georgia Tech in 1983 and began his career in banking. For 22 years, he has been working with various sized groups providing a range of insurance solutions, benefits packages, individual life and disability at PBG.
John C. Funderburk, III
Prior to Partners Benefit Group, John had worked with Life of the South Agency since 1987. Previously, he was a Commercial Loan Officer for eight years with Nations Bank. Currently, John works with large and small employers and provides employee benefits and worksite marketing to his clients.
In addition, he works with professionals in the areas of individual life, disability and long-term care. John is a Rotarian, co-chairman of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Quail Hunt and on the Board of Trustees of Deerfield Windsor School.
Athens
Jeff Johnson
Jeff is a 2000 graduate of the University of Georgia and a passionate “Dawgs” fan. With over 10 years experience in the employee benefits industry, Jeff works to become an extension of his clients’ HR departments, delivering personal, hands-on service and “outside the box” thinking. He has a particular interest in health insurance and enjoys helping his employer groups navigate the ever-changing health care landscape. Jeff works primarily with small and medium-sized businesses. Additionally, he offers assistance with business continuation planning including Buy-Sell Funding, Key Person Insurance and Executive Disability Income coverage.
Cordele
Noel Williams
Noel W. Williams Jr. graduated in 1994 with a Political Science degree from the University of Georgia. After Noel graduated, he started working for Life of the South. He later became one of the principals for Partners Benefit Group when PBG purchased Life of the South in 2007. He is currently a member of the South Georgia Banking Company Board of Commissioners, Chairman of Crisp Regional Foundation board, a board member of the Crisp Regional Hospital and Secretary of Crisp Academy Board of Trustees. Noel’s goal is to make sure his office is providing exceptional customer service for all of its client’s needs.
Cumming
Greg Moore
Greg graduated from North Georgia College in 1991.His career began with Life of the South in 1992. His credentials include over 20 years of experience in the benefits field. Greg resides in Cumming, Georgia and provides brokerage and consulting services for companies throughout the metro Atlanta area.
Hazlehurst
Ron Cobb
Ron graduated from the University of Georgia in 1968, with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Forestry. He began his working career with the Farm Credit system as a loan officer in 1969. He began his insurance career by purchasing an established P&C agency in 1985. He became a Life Insurance Agent with Prudential Insurance Company in 1988 and retired with them in 2000. After retiring with Prudential he chose the Independent Broker arrangement and began to write both individual Health Insurance, Life Insurance and Investment products. Ron joined the PBG team May 1, 2017. He wanted to be able to offer his clients the best in technology and service and is looking forward to growing his business with this great company.
Macon
Stacy Tolbert
Stacy Tolbert is a graduate of Georgia College (GCSU) with a BA in Accounting and Management and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Licensed in 1991, she became a Fellow of the Life Underwriter’s Training Council in 1994. She also holds a Counselors license with the State of Georgia. Stacy has the unique ability to couple her passion for the medical insurance industry with a firm grasp of accounting principles to help business owners and individuals solve complex insurance issues at the lowest possible cost. She is currently a member of the National Health Underwriters Associates, a board member for the Middle Georgia Chapter of Health Underwriters, a Rotarian, a board member for the Macon North Rotary and licensed with 41 carriers.
Marietta
Wayne Morris
Graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing, Wayne Morris has over 33 years of experience in insurance. Wayne continued his education within the insurance field including the completion of the Certified Health Consultant Program at Purdue University.
Wayne began his career with Blue Cross Blue Shield as a consultant for local accounts. He later worked as an Account Executive in the major and national accounts, as Director of Network Marketing and as Vice President of major and national accounts.
Wayne has been with PBG since 1991, when it was known as Life of the South. He works directly with clients to develop benefit and financial strategies that fit client’s corporate goals.
Bret Hightower
After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Colorado State University, Bret Hightower returned home to Marietta, Georgia to pursue his career in Employee Benefits Management and Business Development. In 2003, Bret received his Life and Health insurance license which led him to PBG in 2012. Bret has implemented and managed employee benefit plans for small to large employers and individuals.
Brian Morris
After graduating from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s in International Business with a focus on Marketing, Brian Morris has over fifteen years of insurance experience in medical, life, disability, voluntary benefits and more. Brian has taken numerous courses to continually be at the forefront of the industry, as well as to share his knowledge with others. Consulting other agents across the state of Georgia has given Brian the extensive experience as a general agent, and it has given him the knowledge of the major medical carriers, their plans and the internal administration of the insurance companies.
Ken Hamil, CLU, ChFC, RHU
Ken Hamil received his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from West Georgia College in Carollton, Georgia. He has been with the company for 29 years. Ken currently works with employers in all areas of employee benefit planning for middle to large employers, as well as estate, business and personal life insurance planning.
Perry
Philip Willard
Chasity Leech
Richmond Hill
Don Durant
Tifton – PBG
Gary Simmons, CSA, CLTC
Gary has been in sales and marketing for 35 years. He began his insurance career in 1983 with Life of the South as a company representative specializing in marketing credit insurance products throughout Georgia. He also became an agent for Life of the South Insurance Agency marketing deferred compensation in banks and payroll deduction products in all types of industries.
In 1993, Gary was promoted to Senior Vice President of the company with responsibility of the Ordinary Division; he became president of LOTS in 1999 continuing to grow the company. He became President of Partners Benefit Group, LLC when Partners purchased Life of the South Agency, Inc. in January, 2007.
Gary received his MBA degree from Chadwick University and has been a commercial pilot for 39 years. He has also received a number of awards for his accomplishments in the insurance industry, including: CSA & CLTC Designations, the Million Dollar Round Table, National Quality Award, National Sales Achievement Award, The Excalibur Club, Outstanding New Associate Award and 30/30 Club.
Tifton – Skip Hill & Associates
Skip Hill
Skip Hill is an Owner/Board President of PBG. He attended Georgia Southern University and received his B.S. in Finance in 1989. Upon graduation, he began his career at Life of the South. Skip was recognized as a “Life of the South Agent of the Year” for eight consecutive years and has continued with PBG since its inception. He has been in the Employee Benefits business for over 27 years. Skip’s motivated and talented staff works diligently to bring each client excellent customer service.
Karen Willis
Karen was raised in the Midwest and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. She transitioned from a health care field to the insurance industry in 2006 when she joined Skip Hill and Associates in Tifton. Karen is a licensed agent and counselor in Georgia and a licensed agent in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa and Texas. She specializes in employee benefits for groups of all sizes and is a Chartered Benefit Consultant.
In addition to her career, Karen is dedicated to improving her community via volunteer work. She has been involved with the Tifton/Tift County Chamber of Commerce and was recognized in 2009 as the Ambassador of the Year. Karen served on the Chamber Executive Board for two years and, in 2014, she was awarded the ‘Tifton/Tift County Business Woman of the Year Award.’
Karen has also served in leadership positions for multiple organizations, including the Tift area Foundation for Women’s Health, the Organization for Professional Women, the American Cancer Society Leadership Board, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life Committee and an Advisor for the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority on the campus of Abraham Baldwin College.
Tifton
Josh Bean
Josh graduated in 2000 from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Nursing. He practiced as a full-time Emergency Room RN for years and continues to do so on a PRN basis. Josh received his insurance agent license in 2007 and joined Partners Benefit Group full time in 2008 as a Benefits Consultant, receiving the Outstanding New Associate award in 2009. He is also a licensed benefits counselor. He specializes in multiple employee benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, disability and long-term care, as well as individual products.
Courtney Howell
Courtney serves as a Benefits Consultant specializing in group medical, dental, vision, life, disability and long-term care. A native of South Georgia, he graduated from Abraham Baldwin College in Tifton and then spent six years working in the metro-Atlanta area in the turf industry. He returned to Tifton in 2009, received his insurance license and joined Partners Benefit Group. In addition to his professional career and family life, he serves as an Ambassador for the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce.
Valdosta
Guy Whidby
Guy graduated from the University of Georgia in 1980 and began his career with Georgia International in Atlanta as an Employee Benefit Representative. Guy joined Life of the South in 1983 and was instrumental in the formation of the Employee Benefits Division for the agency. During his time with LOTS, he was honored with numerous production awards. Guy is a registered Health Underwriter and a Charted Benefit Consultant. He specializes in providing employee benefits such as group medical, life, disability and dental plans. His market also includes individual life and disability insurance.
Blake Cowart
William Blake Cowart graduated from Valdosta High School in 2003 and graduated from Valdosta State University in 2007 with a degree in Business Management. Blake is a member of the administrative council at Park Avenue United Methodist Church, a member of Kiwanis, a board member of Titletown Tasting supporting Special Olympics and also a member of the Kappa Alpha Order Alumni council. Blake has worked in insurance since 2007 and joined Partners Benefit Group in 2011. Blake manages benefits for small and large groups, as well as individual benefit needs. Blake’s goal is to provide exceptional customer service to all clients.
Valdosta
Paul Watkins
Paul Watkins graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Valdosta State University in 2003. In 2004, Paul received his insurance license and began working for PBG. Paul concentrates on small and large group benefits along with individual benefits. He also believes in building strong relationships with his clients while meeting their needs.
Ronnie Blanton
Ronnie began his insurance career with Life of the South Agency in April of 1989. Soon thereafter, he completed the necessary requirements to become a Life Underwriting Training Council Fellow.
Valdosta – Turner’s Insurance Services
Justin Turner
Justin Turner became a licensed Life & Heath agent in 2008 and began working at the company that his father and mother built – Turner Insurance Services located in Valdosta, GA. Turner Insurance has been a part of PBG since July 2012. Its focus is on group medical, dental, vision and life and disability along with individual medical, life, dental vision and Medicare supplement plans.
