Cathy has extensive experience in the insurance industry as an underwriter, agent, and manager. She worked for the Allstate Insurance Company for over 11 years and then ran a successful insurance agency for American Family Insurance in the Chicago area.

    She has been with Farmers since early 1995 and took over District 18 in November of 1997. Like the agents she manages, Cathy is an independent contractor and gets to run her business in the manner that she deems best. This has obviously been very successful for her as she has received numerous awards and been repeatedly acknowledged as one of the top District Managers in the entire company.

    District 18's innovative agent training program has received tremendous recognition and is currently being implemented in many parts of the country. Cathy believes that the success that she has achieved in District 18 comes from making sure her agents receive exceptional support and service.

"Dr. Dave" brings over 25 years of insurance industry experience to our District operation. He spent 18 years with Allstate Insurance in the operations, data processing and accounting areas. In addition he was a co-owner, with his wife, of a successful insurance agency for American Family Insurance in the Chicago area.

    He has an MBA in Entrepreneurship from DePaul University in Chicago and a Ph.D. in Management from The University of Texas at Arlington. In addition to his duties in the District, he is also the Assistant Dean of the College of Business at UTA, where he teaches MBA classes.

    Dave is the District business manager, our technology consultant, and is very involved in recruiting and training our new agents. His experience and education make him a valuable resource for those individuals who want to start and grow their own business.

    Shane graduated, Cum Laude, from the University of Houston-Downtown in December of 1995 with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. He joined the United States Customs Service as an Inspector in January 1996 and worked in that capacity until May 1999.

    In January 1999, while Shane was still with the Customs Service, he became a Reserve Agent with Farmers Insurance. He left the Customs Service in July 1999, and devoted himself full-time to being an agent. He originally opened an office in Porter, TX in September 1999, but later relocated to New Caney, TX. Both Porter and New Caney, are small towns just north of Houston, TX. .

    As an agent, Shane earned a Quick Start award from the Texas State Office, Blue Vase, Millennium Foundation Stone, and qualified for Mission Possible - Life in 2002. Shane became a Reserve District Manager in February 2003.

    Shane is responsible for new agent development and also heads up the District's Financial Services efforts.

Leigh-Ellen has over 10 years experience in sales, customer service and management, with particular emphasis in operating a small business. Her primary responsibility is to provide technical support to our agents in their efforts to grow strong, profitable agencies.

    She is also very involved in recruiting and training new agents. Leigh-Ellen is an accomplished problem solver who goes to great lengths to provide outstanding service and support to the agents of District 18. A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, she holds a bachelors degree in economics.