Bill Ferguson
Pensacola,FL
Summary
Versatile business leader bringing 25 years of experience as accomplished Insurance Professional, Teacher and Coach. Strategic problem-solver, change manager and visionary executive with success implementing plans to meet current and future needs. Key expertise in Insurance Sales, Claims & Underwriting. Successful high school Teacher and Coach and now a trained Chaplain.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
Work History
President/CEO
Ferguson Insurance Agency, Inc.
01.1996 - Current
- Proudly represented Nationwide Insurance Company and over 70 other national, regional and state carriers.
- Was an award winning multiline agency focused on Property, Casualty, Business and Life Insurance.
- Built a diverse workforce through targeted recruiting efforts focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
- Prepared annual budget forecasts and monitored performance to meet organizational objectives.
- Insured over 6,000 clients throughout the Southeast.
- Won numerous awards for production of Life Insurance including Rookie of the year Award in 1997.
- Streamlined organizational processes by evaluating current systems and implementing TQM. Agency was based on Total Quality Management and exceeding the expectations of both my internal and external customers.
State Sales Manager
Nationwide Insurance Company
06.1993 - 12.1995
- Exceeded sales quotas and increased profitability through effective sales strategy and business planning.
- Held one-on-one meetings with sales team members to identify selling hurdles and offered insight into best remedy.
- Handled customer relations issues, enabling quick resolution, and client satisfaction.
- Managed key accounts with strategic planning and relationship building, resulting in increased customer loyalty and repeat business.
- Was responsible for all technical aspects of the sales function for over 350 Florida Nationwide Insurance Agents.
- Led a successful sales team by providing motivational coaching and performance-based incentives.
Regional Quality Manager
Nationwide Insurance Company
01.1991 - 06.1993
- Implemented process improvements that reduced production lead times while maintaining high levels of product quality.
- Streamlined communication between departments to ensure seamless flow of quality information and data.
- Led root cause analysis investigations into customer complaints, providing actionable insights for future prevention efforts.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify areas for improvement in sales, underwriting, claims and human resources.
- Served as liaison between the Quality Management team and other departments within the organization, fostering collaboration on shared objectives related to product excellence.
- Developed robust training programs for all Nationwide Insurance employees in Florida, Georgia and Alabama increasing their understanding of quality standards and requirements.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement. Studied under several nationally recognized Quality guru's including Dr. W. Edwards Deming, Dr. Phillip Crosby and Joseph Juran.
- Was named Gainesville Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year in 1994 for training many Gainesville, Fl businesses on the Quality Process.
District Sales Manager
Nationwide Insurance Company
09.1989 - 01.1991
- Led sales meetings to communicate objectives, review progress against goals, and discuss areas for improvement.
- Exceeded annual sales targets through strategic planning, relationship building, and recruiting and hiring new agents.
- Recognized potential talent within the team members early on; mentored them into higher positions in the organization over time.
- Liaised with sales, marketing, and management teams to develop solutions and accomplish shared objectives.
- Improved team performance by providing regular coaching, training, and mentoring to sales representatives.
- Championed a customer-first approach within the team, ensuring all representatives understood their impact on overall customer satisfaction and retention.
- Exceeded sales quotas and increased profitability through effective sales strategy and business planning.
- Won numerous awards for developing Life Insurance Selling Processes and production.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
Market Sales Manager
Allstate Insurance Co.
09.1986 - 08.1989
- Increased market share by developing and implementing targeted sales strategies.
- Held one-on-one meetings with sales team members to identify selling hurdles and offered insight into best remedy.
- Collaborated with upper management to implement continuous improvements and exceed team goals.
- Managed accounts to retain existing relationships and grow share of business.
- Conducted regular sales training sessions to enhance team skills and overall performance.
- Was named Manager of the Year in 1988 for the Gulf Region of Florida.
- Spent 12 months cross training gaining experience in Underwriting, Claims, Human Resources and Life Insurance Underwriting.
Head Football Coach & Athletic Director
St. Petersburg Catholic High School
06.1985 - 06.1986
- Hired as Defensive Coordinator and Head Girls Basketball Coach
- Taught Social Studies prior to being named Athletic Director
- Scheduled and oversaw robust calendar of practices, special events and games.
- Promoted football program to administrators, families and community.
- Mentored players in their academic pursuits to ensure eligibility requirements were met while promoting personal growth beyond athletics.
- Established clear expectations for student-athlete behavior both on-and off-field to maintain a high standard of conduct within the program.
- Worked with offensive and defensive coaches to develop cohesive football program.
Head Football Coach and Athletic Director
Admiral Farragut Academy
06.1984 - 06.1985
- Managed administrative tasks, such as scheduling, budgeting, and roster management to ensure smooth operations for all athletic teams.
- Promoted a positive image of the athletic program within the community with regular outreach events and initiatives.
- Emphasized character development in athletes through teaching responsibility, accountability, hard work, respect for others, leadership skills that extend beyond the field of play.
- Promoted athletic programs to administrators, families and community.
Athletic Facilities Manager
Louisiana State University
05.1983 - 06.1984
- Managed 95,000 seat LSU football stadium, Alex Box Baseball Stadium and Bernie Moore Track and Field Stadium in addition to all practice facilities.
- Responsible for all game day management for all athletic events.
- Developed and oversaw budgets for facilities and worked within cost restraints.
- Controlled expenses to meet budget requirements.
- Responded to building emergencies and managed repairs.
- Interviewed, hired, and trained qualified maintenance employees.
- Hired and trained over 50 student and 15 state employees.
- Managed all athletic facilities for 1984 International Special Olympics.
Education
Chaplain Certification -
Christian Life School of Theology Global
07-2024
Master of Arts - Management And Athletic Administration
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH05-1983
Bachelor of Science - Education And Business Administration
LSU
Baton Rouge, LA05-1982
Skills
- Leadership Team Building
- Strategic Planning
- Integrity and ethics
- Employee Relations
- Budget Management
- Process Improvement
Timeline
President/CEO
Ferguson Insurance Agency, Inc.
01.1996 - Current
State Sales Manager
Nationwide Insurance Company
06.1993 - 12.1995
Regional Quality Manager
Nationwide Insurance Company
01.1991 - 06.1993
District Sales Manager
Nationwide Insurance Company
09.1989 - 01.1991
Market Sales Manager
Allstate Insurance Co.
09.1986 - 08.1989
Head Football Coach & Athletic Director
St. Petersburg Catholic High School
06.1985 - 06.1986
Head Football Coach and Athletic Director
Admiral Farragut Academy
06.1984 - 06.1985
Athletic Facilities Manager
Louisiana State University
05.1983 - 06.1984
Chaplain Certification -
Christian Life School of Theology Global
Master of Arts - Management And Athletic Administration
The Ohio State University
Bachelor of Science - Education And Business Administration
LSU
Similar Profiles
Tina ReedTina Reed
Licensed Insurance Producer/CSR at FARMERS INSURANCE AGENCY/NAZE PERRY INSURANCE AGENCYLicensed Insurance Producer/CSR at FARMERS INSURANCE AGENCY/NAZE PERRY INSURANCE AGENCY
Anne Marie HuffAnne Marie Huff
Client Outreach/Appointment Setter/Telemarketer at Acrisure Insurance Agency/Bender Insurance AgencyClient Outreach/Appointment Setter/Telemarketer at Acrisure Insurance Agency/Bender Insurance Agency
Dawn LongoDawn Longo
Commercial Account Executive at Risman Insurance Agency/Hurley Insurance AgencyCommercial Account Executive at Risman Insurance Agency/Hurley Insurance Agency
Resia WilliamsResia Williams
Call Center Representative at EyeSouth PartnersCall Center Representative at EyeSouth Partners
Sierra WilsonSierra Wilson
Direct Support Professional at Pensacola Developmental CenterDirect Support Professional at Pensacola Developmental Center