Employee Biographies

Don R. Brown has 33 years of experience in the insurance industry. He graduated from Banks County High School in 1972. He then graduated from Gainesville College with AA in 1976 and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1978 with a Bachelors of Business Administration with a Specialization in Risk Management and Insurance. Don has been with Hyman Brown Insurance Agency, Inc. from January of 1973 to Present. He was named President and CEO in January 1984. Don is currently active in the following organizations: Authority Member-Banks-Jackson-Commerce Medical Center-12 years, Board of Directors-North Georgia School of Gospel Music-15 years, Member-Commerce Athletic Booster Club, Member-Commerce Kiwanis Club, Member - Tate's Creek Baptist Church. In his spare time, Don enjoys spending time with his family, Southern Gospel Music, and Snow Skiing.

C. Phil Brown

Phil Brown graduated from Banks County High School in 1976. Phil has been the Vice-President/Secretary/Treasurer of Hyman Brown Insurance Agency, Inc. since 1984. He is also the President of Brown Brothers Enterprises, Inc., the current Owner and Operator of Brown Family Foods, Inc., a Director for Freedom Bancshares, Inc., and a Director and Executive Committee Member of North Georgia School of Gospel Music, Inc.

Gerald A. Jordan

Gerald was a graduate of Commerce High School. He entered the insurance industry in 1984 as a Life Agent with United Family Life. Gerald joined Hyman Brown Insurance Agency, Inc. in 1987 and exercised his option to become a Partner in 1991. He was also a partner in Banks Jackson Commerce Broadcasting, Inc. He even served 10 Years as President of Commerce Athletic Booster Club and was the radio Voice of the Commerce Tigers for 25 years. Gerald was the Chairman of the Annual City Lights Festival since its inception and was also a member of the Commerce DDA. Sadly, Gerald passed away on November 13th, 2006 after an extended illness.

Roy E. Holland has been in the Insurance Industry for 28 years. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelors of Business Administration with a Specialization in Risk Management and Insurance. Roy currently holds his CIC and LUTCF professional designations and is licensed in the states of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. He joined Hyman Brown Insurance Agency in 2001 and is the current vice-president of Commercial Lines. Roy is also active with the following organizations: Selective Service Committee and the Franklin County Recreation Board. He is a deacon at the First Baptist Church of Lavonia and enjoys spending time with his family, basketball, and playing golf in his spare time.

Robert “Bob” Nelson has been in the insurance industry for 20 years. He has been associated with Hyman Brown Insurance out of the Commerce office for the last 10 years. Bob has been a volunteer Fireman for the City of Commerce for 18 years and is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Commerce.

Laverne J. Bennett has been associated with Hyman Brown Insurance Agency in the Commerce office since 2001. Laverne is a graduate of Commerce High School and Brenau University with a degree in Business Administration. Laverne and her husband Anthony reside in Maysville, Georgia, are active members of Free Chapel in Gainesville and serve as board members for No Longer Bound, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Cumming.

Priscilla Wofford is a graduate of Commerce High School and has been employed at Hyman Brown Insurance Agency in the Commerce office since May of 1990. Priscilla is currently working on a business degree at Athens Technical College. She has 2 children, a son 12 and a daughter 20.

Heather Tiller has been employed at Hyman Brown Insurance in the Commerce office since 2004. Heather is a graduate of Commerce High School and is currently a senior at the University of Georgia where she will complete her Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. She is an avid Georgia Bulldogs fan! Heather is the daughter of Gary and Vickie Tiller of Commerce.

Barbara Sanders has been with Hyman Brown Insurance since April of 2006. She is a graduate of Banks County High School and Dekalb College. She is an active member of Holly Springs United Methodist Church and Plainview Fire and Rescue. Barbara has been married for 31 years and has 3 children. Her hobbies include working on their farm and caring for her chocolate Labrador, Jackson.

Jade F. Pethel is a graduate of Georgia State University with a Bachelors of Business Administration with a Specialization in Risk Management and Insurance. Jade currently holds his CIC professional designation and is licensed in the states of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and Kentucky. Jade started an independent agency in 2002 and officially merged with Hyman Brown Insurance in June of 2005 and became the branch manager of the Jefferson location. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Jefferson and enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

Dana graduated from Commerce High School in 1983. She attended Athens Technical College and received her Georgia State Insurance License in 1999. She worked for Jack Thornton State Farm Insurance Agency for 3 years. The agency was turned over to Gary Garrett State Farm in 2002. Dana joined Hyman Brown Insurance Agency in the Jefferson Office in November of 2005. Dana enjoys working with the public and is excited to be working in the area she calls home.

Holly is the daughter of Phil and Amy Brown. She graduated from Banks County High School in 2005 and is currently attending Lanier Technical College where she will receive a Business degree. Holly is engaged to be married to Chris Love of Commerce. Her hobbies include music with her family, The Brown’s, and spending time with her family and friends. She is an active member of Homer Baptist Church.

Eddie graduated from Mercer University in 2003 with BBA in Accounting & Finance. He later graduated from University of Georgia in 2004 with Master of Accountancy and Specialization in Tax. Eddie is licensed as Certified Public Accountant and worked at CPA firm for three years before coming to work with Hyman Brown Insurance Agency, Inc. He is a Deacon at Lavonia First Baptist Church and enjoys spending time with family and friends, UGA football and playing golf.