Executive Team
Billie Gorrell
President
Billie Gorrell, co-founder of Ashley General Agency alongside her father, E. Lyle Ashley, works closely with companies both domestically and internationally, enjoying the many facets of the insurance industry, particularly the relationships she builds with people. Before founding her own agency in 2010, Billie served as Assistant Vice President and Brokerage Underwriting Manager at HRH/Bliss and Glennon. She has also held various roles across the insurance sector, including accounting, claims, underwriting, and management. Billie currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer on the executive board of the Texas Surplus Lines Association. Today, Billie focuses on mentoring her employees, considering her dedication to their growth a key element of her success. Active in both the industry and her community, she is involved in several trade associations and supports the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. She also mentors’ students through her local school district. In her free time, Billie enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and cheering on her favorite college football team—Go Raiders! She and her husband, Dennis, have two daughters, Sarah and Madeline, and Billie takes great joy in being “BeBe” to her grandchildren, Carter, Charlee Grace, and Grae.
Shannon Boland
Vice President Casualty Brokerage
Shannon Boland’s career began in 1988 at a retail agency. Over the next 10 years, she dedicated her time to studying risk management to obtain knowledge and credentials including life and health license, property and casualty license, paralegal certification, and ACSR designation. In 1997, she discovered the Surplus Lines Industry and joined Surplus, Inc. She worked as a Customer Service Representative, CSR Manager, and quickly advanced to a multi-lines contract and brokerage underwriter. Today, Shannon serves as Senior Underwriter Vice President for AGA. She holds Managing General Agent and Surplus Lines licenses. In her free time, she enjoys shopping, gardening, and spending time with her grandbabies.
Misti Fortune
CFO | Operations Manager| Vice President
Misti Fortune began her career in Banking in 2001 where she served in many key roles such as BSA Assistant and Wire Department Supervisor. Before leaving banking, Misti was designated Vice President, CRA Officer, and managed loan compliance and the loan department. In 2015, Misti joined AGA as Operations Manager. She holds both an MGA and Surplus Lines license. In 2023, Misti was promoted to Vice President. In her free time, she enjoys watching her two children’s sporting events and shopping.
Heather Nelson
Vice President Property Brokerage
Heather Nelson graduated from Texas State University with a degree in organizational communications. After completing her degree, she spent several months interning with a broker at Lloyd’s of London. Heather has held various positions in marketing and underwriting on the MGA side and currently serves as Assistant Vice President, Senior Underwriter, and Marketing Director.
She takes great pride in working with agents to place contract and brokerage accounts. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Heather is an active member of the North Austin Young Men’s Service League and volunteers with several philanthropic organizations. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children.
Madeline Parsons
Underwriter | Broker | Assistant Vice President
Madeline graduated from Texas Tech University in 2020 with a degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Media Strategies. In 2021, she joined Ashley as the third generation in the family business. From 2021 to 2025, Madeline served as our Marketing Coordinator. She currently holds an underwriting position on Heather Nelson’s team, where she focuses on growing her personal book of business while building and maintaining strong relationships. Outside of work, Madeline enjoys spending time with her husband, Montana, and their son, Grae.
Brenda Richardson, CPCU
Vice President | Underwriting Officer
Brenda began her insurance career in 1976, and has worked in retail, MGA, and company levels in the industry. Due to her immense knowledge and experience in the field, she has successfully developed a profitable book of business and written countless hard-to-place risks; all while establishing blossoming relationships with numerous agents and carriers. In 1991, Brenda joined Surplus, Inc., underwriting property, casualty, and transportation risks, and stayed there until 2010. Throughout the years she has held various positions, including Associate Vice President of Facility Underwriting, in which Brenda was responsible for the underwriting contracts of the facility markets. At Ashley General Agency, she is Vice President of Underwriting. In 2003 Brenda received her CPCU designation, and in her free time she enjoys reading, theater arts, traveling, and spending time with loved ones.
Bethany Ashley
Operations | Assistant Vice President
Bethany Ashley began her insurance career in 2014, transitioning from the banking industry. She enjoys her current role on the accounting and operations side of the business, where her knowledge of underwriting and management provides her with a well-rounded skill set for success. Outside of her professional life, Bethany enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, reading, and being outdoors.
Beth Blair
Business Development Officer | Assistant Vice President
Beth Blair began her insurance career in 1993 at Allied Insurance Services in Houston, Texas. Her exceptional skill and dedication quickly propelled her to the role of Commercial Lines Account Manager within just six months. Her career continued to flourish as she joined national firms like Arthur J. Gallagher, where she served as a Senior Account Manager. In this capacity, Beth developed her expertise as a generalist and property specialist, managing extensive property portfolios, including hotels, apartments, large dwellings, and LRO schedules. In April 2013, driven by a curiosity about the wholesale side of the industry, Beth took the opportunity to work for Ashley Wholesale Brokerage. She started as an underwriter and rapidly advanced to Senior Underwriter, collaborating with some of the industry’s most successful agents. Today, Beth is the Business Development Manager and is recognized as a resident property expert, leveraging her extensive experience and knowledge to drive success while mentoring newcomers to the industry.
Jack Ashley
Marketing Director
Jack Ashley is a seasoned insurance professional with over three decades of experience in the industry. He began his career in 1990 with Surplus Inc., where he gained expertise in personal lines before transitioning into transportation and ultimately finding his niche in marketing.
In 2011, Jack joined Ashley Wholesale Brokerage’s marketing department, where he continues to drive business growth and cultivate relationships with retail agents and brokers. His deep industry knowledge, strategic approach, and commitment to client success have made him a key player in the wholesale insurance sector.
Jack is passionate about staying ahead of market trends and actively engages in industry events, to expand his network and bring innovative solutions to Ashley Wholesale Brokerage.
Tim Makowski
Strategic Growth Officer
Tim began his insurance career in 1973 as a casualty underwriter trainee and quickly advanced to casualty underwriter by 1974. By 1977, he was a supervising underwriter, marking the start of a successful career. Tim gained valuable experience with USF&G, Chicago Facultative Reinsurance, Treaty Reinsurance, and Scor Reinsurance. In 1990, he founded his own company, Benmark Management Group. Tim operated this regional boutique managing general agent and excess and surplus lines wholesaler from A to Z, successfully selling it to Worldwide Facilities in 2019. However, Tim’s journey didn’t end there. He stayed with Worldwide as a Senior Vice President until 2022, when he transitioned to MarshBerry as a Strategic Advisor. Tim enjoys spending time with his family, staying active with golf, and tackling feats like the Appalachian Trail. Today, Tim is the Strategic Growth Officer for Ashley Wholesale Brokerage, bringing a wealth of expertise to assist in all areas of growth.
