Southern Insurance Group, LLC is a privately held independent agency in Columbia, Mississippi. With decades of combined professional experience, our producers are committed to transferring risks, and providing coverage for personal and commercial needs. With strong partnerships and access to specialty and diversified markets, we have many options to fit your demand.
Jeff Carter
President
Carter has 28 years’ experience in the insurance industry. For the past 23 years, Carter served as Vice President and Producer for BancorpSouth Insurance Services in Hattiesburg, where he specialized in the placement of commercial lines insurance programs with an emphasis on transportation accounts. Carter has a B.S. degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, an Associates in Claims designation from the Insurance Institute of America and a Specialist in Transportation and Risk (Star) designation. He holds licenses in property and casualty insurance, as well as life and health. He has served on a number of insurance carrier advisory boards.
Nick Olier
Vice President
Olier is a graduate of Mississippi State University who holds a Business Administrations Degree in Insurance, Risk Management, and Financial Planning. He is originally from Crystal Springs, MS but has resided in Brandon, MS for the majority of his adult life. After beginning his insurance career as a Workers Compensation claims adjuster, he shifted his focus to that of an agent. Beginning in September 2003, he worked with Mississippi Health Care Association as a Marketing Representative for the nursing home industry. In February 2010, he and his family relocated to Hattiesburg, MS to pursue an Insurance Officer position with Hancock Insurance Agency. He has been with Heiden & Garland since May of 2013 and is happy to be working in the field he is passionate about while also being home and close to friends and family.
Doug McElroy
Producer
With 28 years of insurance experience and an LUTCF designation from The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, McElroy has an extensive background in personal and commercial insurance accounts. He holds a B.S. in Liberal Arts from the University of Southern Mississippi, as well as licenses in property and casualty and life and health.
Danny Wilks
Producer
Wilks has a strong insurance background with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. He previously owned Danny Wilks Insurance, LLC in Columbia, MS. He has focused his career on both commercial and personal lines accounts and carries licenses in property and casualty, life and health.
Kyle Wilks
Producer
Wilks has more than 10 years of experience in commercial and personal insurance markets. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Belhaven University and licenses in property and casualty, life and health.
John Yarborough
Marketing Manager / Producer
Prior to joining Southern Insurance Group, Yarborough worked as an agent representative with State Farm Insurance. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Risk Management & Insurance from The University of Mississippi, and holds licenses in property and casualty, life and health.
Andrew Brown
Benefits Counselor / Producer
Brown is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a Business Administration degree in Entrepreneurship. He holds a property and casualty license, as well as a life and health license. Brown will be coordinating voluntary products enrollments and serve as a Benefits Counselor. He will also continue producing with a focus on the transportation industry. Prior to joining Southern Insurance Group, Brown worked as a producer at Risk Management Partners in Flowood.
Heather Williamson
Office Manager / Commercial Lines
Williamson has three years of commercial insurance and is licensed in Property and Casualty. Prior to joining Southern Insurance Group, LLC she worked as a representative with Nationwide Insurance.
Nicole Bass
Commercial Lines
Bass has worked as a licensed representative with Allstate Insurance and has 10 years of related field experience. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Troy University and holds licenses in property and casualty, life and health.
Melinda Sims
Commercial Lines
Melinda has two years’ experience in commercial lines with three years’ experience handling Public Official, License/Permit, and Utility Bonds. She also has five years in Personal Lines experience. Melinda obtained her property and casualty license through Bob Brooks School of Real Estate & Insurance, Inc. in Louisiana, and she has been licensed in property and casualty since 2011. Previously, she was a Personal Lines representative at Airline Insurance Agency in Baton Rouge, La.
Cindy Davis
Commercial Lines
Cindy has 29 years’ experience in the insurance industry. She has brokered insurance at USF&G, Wellington Associates and Heiden & Garland. Cindy is licensed for property and casualty insurance.
Dianne Bufkin
Commercial Lines
Diane has over 30 years’ experience in the insurance industry. She worked for 18 years with the USF&G and St Paul companies in the commercial lines property and casualty department. For the past 14 years, she has worked as a Commercial Lines Account Manager with Heiden & Garland, Inc. She has licenses in property and casualty.
Crissy Joyner
Personal / Commercial Lines
Joyner works with Southern Insurance Group customers on their personal and commercial lines. Joyner has more than 16 years of related industry experience. Prior to joining Southern Insurance Group, she worked as an agent representative with McDaniel Insurance. She holds licenses in property and casualty, life and health.
Reba Rutland
Personal Lines
Rutland has over 20 years’ experience in both commercial and personal lines insurance. She holds a license in property and casualty.
Brandy Dupuy
Personal / Commercial Lines
Dupuy is licensed in property and casualty, and has two years of experience with personal and commercial insurance accounts.
Belinda Broom
Personal / Commercial Lines
Broom has 24 years’ experience in the insurance industry and handles personal/commercial lines.
Heather Broom
Controller
Broom works in accounting for Southern Insurance Group. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Mississippi College and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from William Carey University. She has three years of related experience.
