The Fortified Advantage: Powering Independent Insurance Agencies
Fortified is a selective collaboration of independent insurance agents and agencies united by shared values, driving strength in numbers to deliver greater leverage, direct carrier access, and exclusive growth advantages to members and carrier partners alike. As the foundation of the insurance industry, independent agencies choose Fortified’s integrity-driven, agent-owned alliance to keep full equity and local autonomy while gaining the scale, operational support, and market footprint needed to stay competitive and profitable.
Principles That Drive Us
Different by Design
We do not follow industry norms – we challenge them. Innovation, Independence, and intentional thinking define how we operate.
Relationships Over Transactions
We play the long game. Trust, loyalty, and meaningful partnerships matter more than short-term wins.
Integrity Over Incentives
We do what’s right period. No deal, commission or opportunity is worth compromising our standards.
Independence Over Control
We protect the freedom to think, act, and serve at the highest level. No bureaucracy. No limitations. Just accountability and performance.
Collaboration Creates Strength
We are stronger together. Shared knowledge, aligned effort, and mutual support drive better outcomes for everyone.
WHAT THIS MEANS
We continue to build a different kind of insurance network – one grounded in trust, powered by performance, and committed to raising the standard.
Our Team
Joe Craven, CIC
Chief Executive Officer
Tiffany Overlease
Vice President
Kendal Russell-Hamed, CBIA
Agency Operations Manager
Contact me for: Questions about agency operations, partnership opportunities, personal insurance needs, policy changes, or account support.
Carrie Rinehart
Commercial Lines Account Manager
Contact me for: Quotes on new commercial policies and commercial marketing collaborations.
Stephanie Teague
Commercial Lines Renewals Coordinator + Account Manager
Contact me for: Policy renewals, coverage reviews, and questions about maintaining your existing insurance protection.
Our Board Members
JD Buffalo
Buffalo Insurance Agency
Brandt Galloway
Galloway Chandler McKinney
Jon Jensen
Correll Insurance Group
Shaw Johnson III
SouthGroup Insurance Services
Tyson Johnson
Henniger, Johnson, Layton Insurance
Scott Lemon
Lemon Mohler
Lou Moran III
Inter-Agency Insurance Services, Inc.
Donald Ray Pennington
Tigrett & Pennington Insurance
Jay Reynolds
Marengo Insurance
Denny Sanford
SanBuck Agency
Jason Smith
American Safeguard
Insurance Group, Inc.
Kevin White
Star City Insurance Agency
Terry “T” Thompson
President, INSight Partners
Jesse Konold
Regional President,
INSight Partners
Jared Blackwood
Chief Operating Officer,
INSight Partners