Meet our Insurance agents & staff
 Patrick Watkins, President
Encouraged by his father, David Watkins, Patrick joined Watkins Insurance Group full-time in 1994. Since taking over the reins in 2002, the firm has grown from a four-member staff to nearly 100 insurance professionals in seven locations across Central and East Texas. Patrick Watkins has led Watkins Insurance Group to provide a wide range of business, personal and employee benefit insurance lines from many of the nation’s top insurance companies.
Patrick is a very active and respected member of the insurance community. He is the incoming 2012-2013 president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT). IIAT is the nation’s largest insurance-focused state association. In 2005, Patrick was named Young Agent of the Year by IIAT and has served many years on the association's board of directors. He is past-president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Austin (IIAA) and has held numerous IIAA board and committee roles over the years. In addition, he serves on several agent advisory councils including Travelers, Hartford, America First and United fire. Patrick has earned his professional designations of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and a Certified Risk Manager (CRM).
When Patrick isn't spending time with his wife and four children, he enjoys hunting and fishing.
 Rodney Watkins, President-East Texas
Rodney Watkins joined Watkins Insurance Group in 1994 at the urging of his uncle, David Watkins.
Rodney is active in the East Texas community serving as trustee on the Mineola Independent School Board, board member for East Texas Medical Center hospital in Quitman, and board member for Main Street Mineola. Past positions include Mineola City Councilman, President Wood County Chamber of Commerce, President Mineola Chamber of Commerce, President Leadership Lake Country, President of Mineola Youth Foundation, President Mineola Optimist Club, President of Mineola Advocates for Safe Schools, and Chairman of the Certified Retirement Community Designation program for the City Of Mineola.
Rodney was awarded the Honorary Chapter FFA degree by the Mineola FFA in 1998, Mineola Man of the Year by the Mineola Chamber of Commerce in 2001, and the Community Builder Award by the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas in 2006.
Professional involvement includes serving as Regional Vice President for IMPACT (the largest insurance-producer political action program in Texas), serving on the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) Budget and Finance Committee, elected President of Independent Insurance Agents of Tyler and serving on agent advisory committees for various insurance carriers. Rodney has earned the prestigious professional designations of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Certified Risk Manager (CRM).
Rodney spends his spare time being actively involved in political and community activities that benefit both the insurance industry as well as customers.
 Mike Mosley, Vice President
Mike Mosley joined Watkins Insurance Group in 1999. He works with clients to assess their needs and present solutions with individual interests in mind.
Active in the community, Mike is a member of the Lake Travis Pop Warner Association. For the past five years, he has been a football and baseball coach for youth teams.
In his spare time, Mike likes to hunt with his three sons.
 Matt Womack, CIC, CRM
Matt joined Watkins Insurance Group in August 2003 and in 2008 was named Partner. He has earned the designation of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and a Certified Risk Manager (CRM).
Well respected in the insurance community, Matt is a President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Austin (IIAA), Regional Vice-President of IMPACT (the political fundraising arm of IIAT), Chair of the 2012 “Big I” Junior National Championship Golf Tournament and serves on the IIAT Budget and Finance Committee. In 2008 Matt was named the ‘Young Agent of the Year’ by the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT).
An Austin native, Matt is dedicated to his community and is proudly serving as Chair of the Board for Austin Children’s Shelter. In years prior, he was President of Choose Austin First, a Young Agent Committee Chair of IIAT, and a Board Member of the Lake Travis Education Foundation. Matt has also volunteered his time to numerous committees and causes including Family Eldercare, the Austin Technology Council, the Real Estate Council of Austin and Lake Hills Church where he has been a member for 15 years. Matt has also participated in Leadership Lake Travis for the Lake Travis School District and Leadership Lake Travis for the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce.
In his spare time, Matt enjoys golfing, biking, hunting, fishing and any University of Texas sporting event. His favorite activity however is spending time with his wife of 16 years and three daughters.
 Sheila Pennington Noxon, Vice President of Operations
Sheila Pennington Noxon joined Watkins Insurance Group in September 2005 as the firm’s operations manager. In mid 2009, Noxon was named partner. In the industry for over 35 years, Sheila is charged with managing the day-to-day needs of the firm and its professionals.
Throughout Sheila’s career, she has maintained positions of leadership in the regional insurance community. She served on the board of the Independent Insurance Agents of Austin and the Austin Association of Insurance Professionals. She is a member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas, the Federation of Insurance Women of Texas and the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors. Sheila is a Certified Insurance Counselor and a Certified Insurance Service Representative.
As a native of coastal Texas, Sheila enjoys spending free time on the Gulf of Mexico.
 Andy Webb, Agent
Andy Webb joined Watkins Insurance Group in August of 2010 bringing with him a strong background in Contractor's Insurance and Risk Management. Andy was named a shareholder of Watkins Insurance Group in September of 2011. An alumnus of Texas A&M University, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Leadership Development. Andy began his career in the insurance industry in 2002.
Andy understands the value of being a resource to his clients. Experienced in sales and business development, he enjoys showing clients how to recognize and develop relationships with peers, competitors, customers and prospects. Webb is an active member of the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce including a member of the inaugural class of ASCEND and chairman of Leadership Round Rock since 2009. Andy has been named the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) Young Agent of the Year 2012-2013. He has served as IIAT’s Young Agent Advisory committee immediate past council chair, a board member of the Williamson County A&M Club and Foundation, and a Chair-Elect of the Texas Leadership Forum. A board member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Austin (IIA-Austin), Andy participates on the Board of Directors of IMPACT, the political action committee of IIAT. Community focused, Mr. Webb is the council president of Zion Lutheran Church and School in Walburg, Texas.
When not working, Andy loves spending time in the country with his wife and children.
 Steve Crownover, Vice President, Commercial Lines
Steve Crownover, CIC, joins the agency after 16 years of service at AIC-Sun Belt Group where he also held the position of vice president of commercial lines. At Watkins Insurance Group, he works with companies to show them how insurance can benefit key facets of their business.
Steve is the vice president of the Central Texas Agents Alliance. He has been an active member of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, the Professional Insurance Agents Association of Austin, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Austin, and We Care, a service organization devoted to the care of the elderly.
Steve is an avid golfer in his spare time.
 Glenda Pittsford, Vice President
As the first woman to receive a bachelor’s degree in insurance business administration from the University of Texas, Glenda Pittsford has been a pioneer in the industry. With a career spanning over thirty years, she serves as a vice president at Watkins Insurance Group. Prior to joining the firm, she was the vice president of accounting, administration, and personal lines at AIC-Sun Belt.
Glenda is an active member and former board member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Austin and the Greater Pflugerville Chamber of Commerce.
Glenda is an Austin native with deep orange blood coursing through her veins. She is active at St. Paul Lutheran Church and has been a member of the school board.
 Eddie Tisdale, Vice President, Marble Falls Branch
Eddie Tisdale has been in the insurance industry for more than 35 years. He is a generalist in all lines of commercial insurance and believes in long-term service to clients. Eddie, in his capacity as vice president, is charged with a wide and diverse service area covering parts of rural Central Texas.
Eddie earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas State University. He enjoys saltwater fishing in his spare time.
 Jim Sammons, Agent
Jim Sammons has 35 years of experience working in the insurance industry. Prior to joining Watkins Insurance Group, he was an owner and manager of other independent insurance agencies in Central Texas. He is always striving to maximize client’s coverage, while minimizing costs.
Jim is a Certified Insurance Counselor, a licensed risk manager and served as past-president of the Independent Agents of Austin. A U.S. Navy veteran, he also served two Vietnam tours in the Swift Boat Division.
Jim has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and enjoys the challenge of golf in his spare time.
 Brad Hunt, Agent
Brad Hunt joined Watkins Insurance Group in January 2005 as an agent. In the industry for more than 35 years, Brad’s specialty is in commercial insurance. Whether he is dealing with an individual or a business customer, he takes a hands-on approach in walking them through the insurance process.
A past president of IIAA (Independent Insurance Agents of Austin), Brad remains active in the organization. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting and fishing.
 John Day, Agent
John Day, CLU, has been with Watkins Insurance Group in their Marble Falls office since January 2006. As a Benefits Agent and Producer, John has more than 36 years in the insurance industry. He specializes in group medical plans, employee benefits and life insurance. He believes in always approaching a customer from their perspective and representing their best interests. As an active member in the community John works with the Boy Scouts of America as a Scoutmaster and is an area Scout Commissioner. He is also a current board member and past president of Western Oaks Neighborhood Association. In his spare time he enjoys fresh water fishing and photography.
 Troy Wright, Agent
Troy Wright, CIC, CRM joins Watkins Insurance Group as an insurance agent. Prior to moving to Watkins Insurance Group, Wright was an agent for the Austin office of Guaranty Insurance Services, Inc. where he specialized in construction and commercial real estate insurance. Wright brings over 14 years of industry expertise. He is always striving to maximize client’s coverage, while minimizing costs. Troy is a Certified Insurance Counselor and a licensed risk manager. He is an active member of The Church at Canyon Creek, and an avid Longhorn football and basketball fan.
 Chris Heinchon, Agent
Chris Heinchon joined Watkins Insurance Group in January 2013 as an agent with 24 years of experience and an excellent reputation for client care. He specializes in insuring and advising those in the technology, non-profit and service industries. Heinchon's approach is unique, helping clients develop long-term strategies to reduce their total cost of risk while also providing choice, customization and advocacy.
Heinchon has earned the highly respected industry education designations of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Certified Risk Manager (CRM) and Certified Work Comp Advisor (CWCA). An alumnus of Texas Tech University with a BBA in Marketing, Chris is active in his community. He is a board member of the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce, the Lacrosse Board Treasurer of the Dripping Springs Youth Sports Association and the board secretary of the Dripping Springs Running Club. In his downtime, Chris says he enjoys fishing, golf, hunting and anything that takes him outdoors.
 Joe Guyton, Agent
Agent Joe Guyton joined Watkins Insurance Group in November of 2010 after 5 years in the insurance industry. Joe is both a Certified Insurance Counselor and Certified Risk Manager through the National Alliance for Insurance Education. In addition, he has been a certified Occupational Safety and Health construction outreach trainer since 2007. An alumnus of the University of Phoenix, Joe holds a Bachelors degree in Business Management. Joe takes a diagnostic approach to the behaviors, practices and exposures that drive the cost of a client’s risk. Such an approach allows him to address a client’s needs proactively, developing a strategy to better protect their interests.
In his spare time, Joe is an outdoor enthusiast who loves cooking just about anything and spending time with family and friends.
 Steve Dobson, Agent
Steve Dobson joined Watkins Insurance Group in July of 2011, bringing with him 24 years of valuable industry experience. As the former owner of Statewide Bonding Agency, Steve specializes in Contract Surety Bonds and Contractor Commercial Insurance.
A past president of the Houston Surety Association, Mr. Dobson heads Watkins Insurance Group’s Bond department. He feels that every client’s needs are unique and that proper advising demands a thorough understanding of their business and goals. Steve has a BBA in Finance from the University of Iowa and enjoys golfing, hunting and fishing.
 Coye Irons, Agent
Coye Irons joined Watkins Insurance Group in January of 2011 with an impressive background in medical sales. Focusing on providing excellent customer service, he works diligently to offer the best coverage available at a competitive premium.
Coye feels it is important to advise clients on the basis of finding an insurance solution that best meets their own unique needs. He graduated from Angelo State University with a degree in Finance. As an advocate of youth sports, Coye is the fundraising Director for the Dripping Springs Youth Soccer Association. He loves attending his children’s sporting events and enjoys spending time with his family outdoors.
 David Quinn, Agent
A Texas A&M Alumnus, David Quinn joined Watkins Insurance Group in December of 2011 as a Commercial Insurance Advisor. Specializing in insurance needs of those in the Oil & Gas, Medical and Construction industries, David cites his own personal experience in those fields as a great benefit to his clients. David Quinn entered the insurance industry in 2008 after working several years for an oilfield service company as a Field Sales and Service Supervisor. He also gained intimate knowledge of the Medical industry during his years as a successful Pharmaceutical Sales Representative.
David's approach is to identify a particular business' risk exposures then offer suggestions on mitigating those risks before offering policy proposals. He believes that by thoroughly assessing his clients' risks and understanding their procedures, he is best able to truly customize a business' insurance solutions.
David loves the outdoors. He says that if he's not spending time with his wife or working, then he can likely be found in a deer stand.
 John Aoueille', Agent
John joined Watkins Insurance Group in February of 2012 as a Commercial Insurance Advisor, specializing in insurance needs of those in the Oil & Gas and High Tech industries. He has vast experience working with General Contractors and small businesses that work within the construction industry. He is also highly experienced in protecting Independent and Private School Districts throughout the Central Texas Region and meeting the insurance needs of golf courses.
John's approach is to build a long-term relationship with clients, where he explores multiple scenarios and aids in building a well-rounded protection portfolio.
Aoueille' is active in the Lakeway Chamber of Commerce and was in the Chamber's inaugural class of Leadership Lake Travis. He is also a member of the Lake Travis Republicans Club, the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association and Lake Hills Church. Aoueille' entered the insurance industry in 2008 where he became an Agent at New York Life.
John loves watching and coaching his kids in their various sporting activities. When not at a game or school function, he enjoys hunting and fishing with his family and friends.
 Herschel Cone, Systems Administrator
Herschel Cone joined Watkins Insurance Group in August of 2006 as the Systems Administrator. Now with over 15 years in the industry, Herschel supervises and maintains essential agency Information technology systems that allow our insurance professionals to best serve our clients.
Herschel attended the University of Texas at Austin, and when not working he enjoys hunting and spending time with his family.
 Brent Howell, Vice President of Employee Benefits
Brent Howell joined Watkins Insurance Group in September of 2012 as Vice President of Employee Benefits. Having established himself as a respected Group Benefits Consultant for four years prior, Brent brings valuable and insightful skills to an already stellar Watkins Employee Benefits team. He specializes in innovative cost/plan management solutions including 3-year plans to curve rising program costs. A member of AHRMA, Brent's experienced use of strategic and analytical measures allow him to skillfully negotiate carrier terms and conditional renewals.
Brent has a deep appreciation for listening and learning about his client's objectives. It is his goal to see that organization's benefit objectives are met and exceeded, by providing tailored consulting and servicing that eases the burden of his client's own administrative HR resources.
Howell holds a BBA from Texas A&M University where he played baseball throughout his college career. He enjoys hunting, fishing and coaching his kids' youth soccer teams. His "most favorite" times are those spent with his wife and three daughters.
 Hanna Ogle, Personal Lines Manager, Austin Branch
Hanna Ogle joined Watkins Insurance Group in 2005 as the Personal Lines Manager in the Austin office and has since expanded her role to include Director of Agency Automation. She is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of St. Edwards University in Austin where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communications. In addition, she is a graduate of Hawaii Pacific University with an associate degree in Business Management.
Education is an on-going focus for Hanna and is something she encourages for all of her staff. She has held the Certified Insurance Counselor designation since 2007 and is currently working toward completing her Certified Risk Manager Designation. Additionally, she has served on agent advisory councils for various insurance companies and other industry-related organizations.
Outside of the office, she is on-the-go with two children and her husband.
 Cherie Wilson, Community Association-Sales and Business Development Advisor
Cherie Wilson joined Watkins Insurance Group in February 2009 as a sales and business development advisor for the Community Association Department. She started her insurance career in Oxford, MS while earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Mississippi. Cherie is in charge of building relationships with property managers and board members in community associations, all the while, keeping up-to- date with the laws and industry guidelines affecting community associations. Leveraging her 13 years of experience in the insurance arena, Cherie collaborates with the agency sales team and the carriers within the industry to further grow this market. Cherie’s expertise and skills allow her to build lasting relationships with clients and colleagues.
Throughout Cherie’s career, she has maintained positions of leadership in the regional homeowner and condominium community. She is a member of Independent Insurance Agents of Texas and the Community Association Institute.
In her spare time Cherie can be found running Town Lake and enjoying Austin’s vast dining and music scene.
 Angela Nielsen, ACSR, Commercial Account Executive
Angela Nielsen joined Watkins Insurance Group in March 2009 as a member of the firm’s commercial lines department. With over 15 years of insurance experience in service, sales and leadership roles, Angela has taken on the role of working with Patrick Watkins in providing cost effective insurance placement and presenting risk management solutions for their clients. She will be in charge of marketing and sales support on new business accounts. Angela’s expertise and skills also allow her to continue building lasting relationships with clients and colleagues.
Angela holds an Accredited Customer Service Representative Designation and is a member of Independent Insurance Agents of Texas. She is also continuing specialized education in Construction Risk Insurance. Angela enjoys relaxing on Lake Travis, gardening, and the local Austin music scene.
 Ramona Coleman, Accounting Supervisor
Ramona Coleman is a veteran in the insurance industry with more than 22 years of experience. She started with Watkins Insurance Group in February 2008. Ramona is in charge of overseeing Watkins’ accounting department and its day to day operations.
Ramona handles company payables, processing daily deposit and setting up and establishing procedures for the department.
Ramona’s years of experience have taught her to provide professional, prompt and courteous service.
When Ramona isn’t working she loves to see Broadway shows and plays.
 Emily Walsh Eakin, Director of Communications
Emily Walsh Eakin joined Watkins Insurance Group in August of 2007 as a New Business Advisor and has since expanded her role into that of Communications Director. Emily entered the insurance industry in 2004 while earning her Master's degree in Communication at Stephen F. Austin State University. She also holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Political Science and Communication from SFASU.
Emily specializes in public speaking after a decade of competitive academic debate, where she was ranked among the top 3 IPDA Collegiate Debaters in the nation. She now speaks on behalf of Watkins Insurance Group educating her audience on protecting themselves and their clients amidst the changing insurance industry.
Emily is an Associate Member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin, a lifetime member of the National Forensic League, and is an Accredited Customer Service Representative of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas.
When not working, Emily enjoys playing endless rounds of 'fetch' with her dog, Lily.
 Ricky Watkins, Agency Manager, Tyler, Texas
Ricky Watkins has been in the insurance industry for 11 years. A Watkins Insurance Group member since 1998, he works with clients to help them understand the benefits of various products and lines of insurance.
Ricky received a Bachelor of Science in business management from LeTourneau University. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children.
 Nichol Cook, Health & Life Coordinator, East Texas
Nichol Cook joined Watkins Insurance Group in July 2007 with six years of insurance industry experience. She specializes in health insurance and works with clients to provide the best solution to their individual needs.
Nichol is a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters. She received her bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Stephen F Austin State University.
In her spare time, she attends her children’s soccer games. She enjoys cooking and gardening.
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