OUR PEOPLE

We have choices, so you have choices. As an Independent Insurance Agent we represent competing insurance companies. Our licensed agents and staff work hard to make sure you have the right protection at an affordable price. We always review your policies at renewal time making sure that you are always getting the right protection at the right price.

Ross Richey

Owner / CEO

Ross is Owner and CEO of Lawton Insurance. His passion for providing insurance solutions for clients began while working at Lawton during the summers of his college career. He graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2006 with a Business Management Degree.

Ross’s professional designations are important to him. He recognizes the complexities of the insurance industry and knows he must remain current and knowledgeable of the insurance product in order to best serve his clients. As an alumnus of the State Auto PaceSetter program, he has developed superior methods for providing client-oriented service. He holds the Accredited Advisor in Insurance and the Certified Work Comp Professional designations, and is currently working toward his Certified Risk Management designation.

Involvement and service to the local community has always been a part of Ross’s makeup. He was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008 by the Greater Muhlenberg Chamber of Commerce. He is currently participating and learning about that local community as a member of the 2012 Class of Leadership Bowling Green.

Stephen P. Durham, CIC

President, Lawton Insurance Group

Originally from Madisonville, KY, Stephen Durham is a graduate of Murray State University and began building the Cole & Durham Insurance family nearly three decades ago. With more than 20 years of insurance experience, Stephen is a Certified Insurance Counselor and a member of the Motorists Mutual President’s Advisory Council, and he is dedicated to building lasting relationships with every one of his valued clients. In his free time, Stephen enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Starr, and their children, Miles and McKinsey. Stephen also enjoys coaching high school soccer, golfing, and hunting.

Bryan Buchanan

Executive Vice President

A graduate of Western Kentucky University, Bryan Buchanan joined the Lawton Insurance family in 2008. A Certified Benefits and Wellness Advisor, Bryan specializes in commercial and personal lines, as well as employee benefits. Building relationships and providing outstanding service to clients are what matters most to Bryan. In his free time, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Natalie, their son, Asa Michael and daughter, Abby Jo.

Benji M. DeWitt

Account Executive

Benji M. DeWitt joined Horn & France Insurance in June 2004 after he retired, at the age of 39, from the Daviess County Clerk’s Office June 2004. Benji is licensed in the state of Kentucky for Property & Casualty and Life & Health Insurances.

Benji attended State Auto Insurance Company’s Pace Setter Program, an elite class for the insurance industry, Fall 2004. He graduated from Owensboro High School in 1983 and then attended the University of Kentucky.

Benji and his wife, Angie and two kids Kegan & Lindsey are members of BridgePointe Church where they are involved with the youth ministry. He is involved with The Alma Randolph Charitable Foundation.

Lori Parks Byers

Agency Administrator

Lori Parks Byers is a Madisonville, KY native.  She is a graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College with a degree in Communication Arts/Public Relations. Lori began her career in the insurance industry in 2003 and joined our team in 2006. After 17 years as a Producer, Lori moved into the Agency Administrator role in 2023. She serves on the KWC Alumni Board of Directors, and in her spare time, Lori enjoys spending time with her husband, Ben, and two children, Jon-Hunter and Sophia.

Jeff Johnson

Account Executive

A lifelong resident of Owensboro, KY Jeff Johnson is a graduate of Apollo High school and attended Kentucky Wesleyan College and Western Kentucky University. Jeff joined the Horn and France Insurance family in 2016. With more than seven years of insurance experience, Jeff specializes in commercial lines but enjoys writing personal lines as well where he loves building personal  relationships with each of his valued clients. Jeff is an avid sports fan and enjoys coaching his son, Nolan, in baseball and basketball. He also enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Beth, and is active in his church, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. He serves on the Board of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is Character Coach for Apollo High School Boys Basketball Team.

Kelly Hardesty

Account Executive

A Hartford, KY native, Kelly Hardesty started at Westerfield in 1984 and joined Horn and France in 1986, in 2017 she brought her 30+ years of experience back to Westerfield. As a Kentucky Accredited Customer Service Rep, Kelly  specializes in personal lines and puts her knowledge to work helping find each client the best possible coverage for their needs. In her free time, Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband, Danny, and their son, Levi and their Layton. She enjoys cooking for family and friends and likes to get outside regardless of the weather.

Angelia Dame

Account Executive

Angelia Dame, joined Hayden Insurance, in September of 2017. Angelia, has over fifteen years of insurance experience.  Angelia, currently, resides in McLean County and close to her hometown of Livermore.   She is the mom of three girls, Kennedy, Morgan, Ryleigh and one son Greyson.  When not at the office she enjoys various activities that include boating, ATV riding, and enjoying the great outdoors.

Emily Foster

Account Executive

A Scottsville, KY native, Emily received her undergraduate degree from Sewanee – The University of the South, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Western Kentucky University. Between obtaining her degrees, Emily served overseas in the Peace Corps for two and a half years. Her journey led her to Wilmington, NC, working as the Youth Director at a YMCA and then an Outreach Coordinator for the State Food Bank. Prior to joining the insurance industry, Emily worked in Bozeman, Montana, where she fostered relationships between local pediatric dentists and reservations.  Emily returned to her roots in 2013, beginning her insurance career, and joined the Lawton family in 2020. She has worked in many different roles during her insurance career which contributes to her success as a Producer. Because of these experiences, Emily has greater insight into the insurance business which enables her to take better care of her clients.  In her spare time, she runs and hikes with her three beloved dogs.

Joel Huff

Agency Manager – Central City

A graduate of Mid-Continent University, Joel Huff joined the Lawton Insurance family in 2018. A Customer Service Specialist, Joel specializes in property and casualty with his main area of focus being commercial liability and workers compensation.  He is excited to have the opportunity to serve my hometown as part of the Lawton team.  As a lifelong resident of Muhlenberg County, he loves his community. Joel loves to spend time with his children, training his beagles for hunting and field competitions, traveling, and working on community projects. He values his customers and counts them amongst my dearest friends.  “People may come in as a stranger, but they will leave as a member of our family”.

Star Howard

Service Team

Originally from Nashville, TN, Star Howard started with Lawton Insurance in 2010. She graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in Accounting and Management. Star and her husband, Mike, reside in Bowling Green, KY, with their two sons, Austin and Brandon.

Stephanie Wade

Personal Lines Account Manager

A native of Bowling Green, KY, Stephanie Wade joined the Lawton Insurance family in 2015, specializing in property and casualty insurance. With more than 12 years of professional experience, Stephanie is dedicated to getting each client the most personalized coverage options at the best possible rate. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys spending quality time with her son, Jax, and enjoying nature.

Michelle Allen

Personal Lines

A native of Bowling Green, KY and a graduate of WKU, Michelle Allen joined the Lawton Insurance family in 2017. With more than 16 years of insurance experience, Michelle is experienced in Personal Lines of insurance and is happy to put her years of experience to work for you! She enjoys hiking, kayaking and being outdoors with her family and friends. Come see her at the Lawton Bowling Green office and find out how Michelle can help.

Jan Warren

Group Health Account Manager

Jan Warren joined the Lawton Insurance family in 2018 and specializes in providing exceptional service to our group heath accounts.  Jan has two daughters Courtney and Madeline, and in her free time enjoys traveling, hiking and spending time with her miniature dachshund Aimee.

Judi Noffsinger

Service Team

Judi Noffsinger has been working at Lawton Insurance for over 25 years. Judi has an Associate’s Degree in Business from the University of Kentucky Community College system through Madisonville Community College. Judi is a Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) and an accredited Customer Service Representative (CSR) from Independent Insurance Agents of America. In November 2011, Judi and her husband celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They have two children and two grandchildren.

Tiffany Grimando

Emily Foster

Andy Price

Taylor Cisney

Phyllis Davis

In Memory

A native of Central City, KY, Phyllis Davis joined the Lawton Insurance family in 2012. Phyllis has more than a decade of experience in customer care and customer service and is the bright, smiling face that greets you at our Bowling Green office.