Advisors
Cory B. Bentley
President / Owner
Cory graduated from Baylor University in 2000. He began his career with St. Paul Surety and in 2003 he joined the Upshaw team. Cory became President of Upshaw Insurance Agency beginning January 2, 2017. Cory is a past member for the Young IIAT Advisory Board, Better Business Bureau and Amarillo Montessori. He is currently a board member for the Center City of Amarillo as well as the NASPB Board.
Ronnie Hudson
Chief Operating Officer / Advisor
Ronnie Hudson, born and raised in Amarillo, TX has been in the insurance industry since 1986. He began his career with Employers Casualty Company, building his business with a specialty in the oil and gas industry. In 1991 he moved to Upshaw Insurance Agency where he’s spent 30 years building his career. Ronnie’s been married to his wife Cheryl for 40 years. They raised a daughter and son who are happily married and have blessed them with three grandsons and a granddaughter. Along with spending time with his family, Ronnie loves to travel, golf, and spend as much time as possible around water.
Charla Rose
Senior Benefit Consultant
Charla graduated from Court Reporting School in 1982. She began her insurance career with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas in 1983. She joined the Upshaw Team in 1992. Charla became Principal of Upshaw Insurance Agency beginning in January 2017 through May 2023. She is the founder of Power of the Pedal a non-profit raising funds to provide bicycles and locks to local Title I elementary students. Charla previously served on the Board of the Panhandle Association of Health Underwriters as Treasurer. She is the past Secretary and President of the Kids, Incorporated Board.
Bob Bentley
Advisor
Bob graduated from Tarleton State University in 1974. Bob joined Upshaw in 1978 and was President of Upshaw Insurance Agency from 1995 until 2017. Bob is the Past President of the Independent Agents of Texas and serves on several community boards including Leadership Amarillo and The Red Cross of Amarillo.
Dan Talley
Senior Benefit Consultant
Dan graduated from West Texas State University in 1970. Dan was Principal of Upshaw Insurance Agency from 1996 until 2017. Dan has held various board appointments with the Panhandle Association of Health Underwriters, Potter-Randall Tax Equalization board, the Panhandle Plains Museum and the High Plains Epilepsy Council. Dan previously served on the Executive Advisory Council for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas.
Dodd Nolan
Advisor / Life & Health Manager
Dodd graduated from Texas Tech with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and has spent the last 30 years in healthcare and employee benefits. He has worked with employers across the country to develop employee benefit packages that meet the goals of the employer and the needs of the employees and has extensive experience in self-funded health plans with an emphasis in pharmacy benefit management.
When not working, Dodd enjoys spending time with his friends and family, as well as playing golf and other outdoor activities. He’s particularly proud of his new role as ‘Pops’ to his grandkids and makes frequent trips to San Antonio to visit his daughters.
Riley Shankle
Advisor
Riley was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas, and is a graduate of Amarillo High School. After 4 years in Lubbock at Texas Tech University in the Agricultural Economics department, he got started in the insurance business in Amarillo at the recommendation of his father.
Working for years in high school and college at a family friend’s environmental and civil engineering firm, Riley took a natural liking to the construction and oil & gas industries. His focus grew quickly to those areas in risk management. He also held an internship with a cottonseed company while in college and got very familiar with the way farmers and ranchers operate their businesses.
When he is not working, Riley can usually be found with friends and family playing golf, fishing, skiing, or hunting quail with his two English Pointers; Birdie and Milo.
Jonathan Plumley
Advisor
jonathanp@upshaw-insurance.com
As a proud panhandle native, Jonathan grew up in Borger but is now planting his roots in Amarillo. He graduated from West Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Geology. He specializes in oil & gas, construction, and the agriculture insurance industries. His job allows him to travel and interact with people of different geographical areas and all walks of life. He attends Hillside Christian Church with his wife, Madison and their son, Myles. When he is not working, he loves to travel with his family anywhere that he can go scuba diving. Jonathan looks forward to meeting and helping new clients however he can.
Rick Clements
Advisor
After starting his career with Texas Employers Insurance association, Clements served as board member for the Professional Insurance agents of Texas (PIAT) from 1987-1993. When PIAT merged with the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) to form Texas association of Insurance Agents (TAIA), Clements served on the executive committee and then as President of the association for 1995. He also served on several committees, including CIC Liaison, Budget and Finance, Automation, convention, Investment, Basic Insurance School and the IIAT/PIAT Consolidation Task Force.
Rick has also served on committees for the Texas Department of Insurance to rewrite the Property and Casualty Agents License Exam and helped rewrite the Texas Dwelling Fire and Farm and Ranch Owners forms. He has taught classes for Certified Insurance Counselors, PIWT, the National Association of Insurance Women, the Federation of Insurance Women and Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Companies.
Rick attended the University of Alabama. He has received his Certified Insurance Counselors designation and Risk Managers License along with his Certified Workers Compensation Underwriter designation. Clements’ primary duties are new business sales and servicing of his accounts. Other responsibilities include marketing, program development and company/client relations.
Jarrett Hudson
Advisor
Jarrett is an Amarillo native that now lives in Canyon, TX. He graduated from Texas Tech University in 2011 and began his career with Upshaw in early 2012.
While his focus is construction and oil & gas, he loves being able to connect with a variety of clients that span diverse backgrounds. In his free time, Jarrett loves to golf, travel, and spend time with his wife, Haleigh, and their two boys, Jack and BK.
Nicole McWatters
Advisor
Nicole McWatters is a lifelong resident of Amarillo and is passionate about helping our community. She graduated from Amarillo College in 2013 but began her career at Upshaw in 2007. Nicole specializes in Small to Mid-Market cases and is passionate about finding solutions for her clients and their employees. Nicole was a 2019 Chamber of Commerce Top 20 under 40 recipient and has been awarded Upshaw’s Service Excellence “Fred Award”. When Nicole is not working in the office or community, she enjoys time at home with her Husband, Andrew and their 6 year old Daughter, Evelyn.
Andrew Patterson
Advisor
Andrew was born in Amarillo and now resides in Canyon, TX. He attended Colorado State University where he played basketball and later graduated with a degree in Economics.
Andrew lends his expertise as an advisor in the business and commercial lines department. Before joining Upshaw, Andrew was with United Rentals for 11 years and ASCO Equipment for three and a half years.
Andrew is married to his wife Lindsaye and they have three boys, Hayes, Camden, and Nolan. His family means the world to him. Together they love to travel, spend time in the mountains, and play sports. Andrew also enjoys playing golf and being outside. Andrew and his family attend Redeemer Christian Church where he is also the committee chair for Greater Amarillo Young Life.
Gentry Woodburn
Advisor
Gentry Talley Woodburn is a graduate of Texas Christian University. Gentry is an Amarillo native and serves as an “Employee Benefit Advisor” at Upshaw Insurance. Prior to joining Upshaw, Gentry spent 15 years in various sales roles, working directly for insurance companies: Ameritas Dental and Vision, Companion Life and International Specialty Underwriters. Her background lends itself to truly understanding risk management, not only in the areas of self-funding and stop-loss, but the expansive ancillary product portfolios available to employer markets. Gentry will always prioritize customer service as well as the human resource needs of your business. Her formal service training through the Ritz Carlton Hotels will ensure that client resolution and customer service are top priority!
Chief Financial Officer
A’ndrea Wright
Chief Financial Officer
A’ndrea graduated from University of North Texas in 1991. She worked as an accountant in various industries including oil and gas, manufacturing and environmental cleanup; she also served as controller for a heavy equipment sales company. A’ndrea joined the Upshaw team in 2008 and is the Chief Financial Officer.
A’ndrea loves putting each accounting piece into its own little bucket. She enjoys researching and reconciling and it thrills her to figure out a way to spreadsheet data to explain a trend or an idea. A’ndrea is also very involved in all aspects of the day to day operations, such as staffing, policies and equipment & software purchases.
When not in the office, A’ndrea enjoys reading – she read 46 books last year, spoiling her herding and agility trained dogs, spending time with her husband and son – also known as cheap labor for her hobby farm. A’ndrea is working on building a nice herd of wool sheep that she can shear and process their fleece to spin and then knit into something soft and warm.
Human Resources
Jessica Howell
Director of HR / Client Consultant
Jessica Howell has 16 years of Human Resource Management experience. Her knowledge and experience include payroll and compensation, FMLA, Consulting, development in policies and staff, recruiting, employee relations, record management, or anything to do with Human Resources. She received her bachelor’s degree from West Texas A&M University. Jessica is active in the Panhandle Human Resources Association (serving as the VP, Programs and Seminars) and SHRM. Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, skiing and painting. She is married with three boys.
Receptionist
Commercial Lines
Personal Lines
Life & Health
Administration
Claims
Business Insurance
Property & Casualty • Commercial Surety/Contract Bonds • Executive Liability • Employee Benefits • Risk Analysis • Claims Management • Claims Trending Reports • Customized Loss Control Management • Project Specific Protection
Upshaw Insurance Agency has over 92 years of experience developing commercial insurance solutions for our clients. As a Trusted Choice® independent insurance agency, we offer a wide selection of products from many of the nation’s leading insurance companies. Whether your business is a start-up, a growing enterprise, or a well-established company, our dedicated team of professionals will work with you and our network of carriers to provide you with the insurance protection you need. When it comes to coverage, rates, flexibility, and service you’ve come to the right place. Give us a call today at (800) 593-5561. We look forward to working with you and want to thank you for visiting!
