R. Forrest Fitts, CPCU
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
Office:205-342-3504
Fax: 205-342-3467
A Tuscaloosa native and Fitts Agency partner, Forrest received his Bachelor of Science degree from Vanderbilt University in 1985. Upon graduation, Forrest was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the United States Marine Corps. He served on active and reserve duty as an infantry and artillery officer for 12 years and was honorably discharged at the rank of Major in 1998.
Prior to joining the firm, Forrest worked for two years as a commercial lines underwriter with USF&G Insurance Company in Atlanta, GA. Concentrating on Commercial insurance and contract surety services with emphasis in the construction and marine industries, Forrest works closely with his clients to help them evaluate and address the risks and exposures presented by their operations. Committed to professional development, Forrest holds the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, Associate in Marine Insurance Management and Certified Insurance Counselor designations. Forrest has served as Ducks Unlimited State Chairman, Tuscaloosa Independent Insurance Agents Association Chairman and YMCA Men's Club President.
J. David Fitts, CIC
President
Office:205-342-3503
Fax: 205-342-3467
After graduating from The University Of Alabama, David began his insurance career working for The Hartford Insurance Company in New Orleans, LA as a Claims Representative. He then joined his family at the Fitts Agency in 1986 and became a partner of the agency in 1993. Considering his background in claims mixed with years of experience as an agent, David is able to offer professional advice to clients with complex and specialized insurance needs.
In addition to obtaining the professional insurance designation of Certified Insurance Counselor “CIC“, David is a Founding Board Member of SecureRisk Alabama and has served on the Agent Advisory Board of CNA Insurance Company. He is also Past President of the Tuscaloosa Association Of Independent Insurance Agents, Inc. and served on the Board Of Directors for the Alabama Association of Independent Insurance Agents (AIIA).
David is heavily involved in the Tuscaloosa community serving as President of the YMCA Of Tuscaloosa County Board Of Directors as well as a past Board Member of the Home Builders Association of Tuscaloosa. He is an active member of Capstone Church and also works with numerous charitable organizations in their fundraising efforts including the United Way of West Alabama and the Black Warrior Council of Boy Scouts of America . David is married to Stephanie Edmondson Fitts, formerly of Columbus, MS, and has four children.
Virginia Parks, CIC, CRM
Secretary, Marketing
Office:205-342-3501
Fax: 205-342-3467
A self-professed "Army brat" for the first 15 years of her life, Virginia was born in Heidelberg, Germany but has called Tuscaloosa home since 1978. She holds a B.A. in Advertising and an MBA from the University of Alabama. In addition to her role as an agency partner she serves as the Marketing VP with an emphasis on commercial lines. Before joining the Fitts Agency in 1996 Virginia worked as a commercial lines and work comp underwriter for several large, nationally-known companies, including USF&G.
Virginia is married to Sam Parks and they have two children - Marla and Shelley and a rescue terrier named Sadie.
Charles F. Horton Jr., CIC
Partner
Office:205-342-3502
Fax: 205-342-3467
A native of Tuscaloosa, Chass is a graduate of the University of Alabama and began his insurance career in 1987 at USF&G as a commercial underwriter. He joined the Fitts Agency in 1991 and became a partner in 1994. Chass has received the insurance designation of Certified Insurance Counselor "CIC" and serves on the Agent Advisory Boards of Harleysville Mutual Insurance Company and Union Standard Insurance Company. Chass has a reputation for providing his clients with a unique combination of experience and superior customer service. Chass works with both commercial and personal accounts, with a concentration on construction, surety bonds and real estate.
He and his wife, Leigh, have three children.
Timothy L. Donahue, CIC, CRIS
Partner
Office:205-342-3506
Fax: 205-342-3467
While completing his B.S. in Corporate Finance from the University of Alabama, it was an interview with the Fitts Agency that first introduced Tim to the possibilities of a future in the insurance industry. Through this introduction, Tim eventually spent ten years with the Aetna/Travelers Bond Department in Birmingham and Nashville from 1991 - 2001, with the last four of those years serving as the Construction Services Bond Manager for the state of Tennessee. While there he handled the surety needs for various contractors ranging in size from SBA Plan B participants to contractors included on the ENR 400.
In 2001, Tim took advantage of an opportunity to move back home to Tuscaloosa to join the Fitts Agency and in 2005 he became a partner. Based on his insurance company background, Tim has a unique insider's knowledge of the surety industry and has maintained a focus on this contruction niche allowing him to use the experience gained from one client for the benefit of all clients. Tim says if he wasn't specializing in construction surety and insurance at the Fitts Agency he would probably be in the construction industry.
Just as important as his service to his clients is his service to his country. As a member of the Alabama Army National Guard, Tim spent a large portion of this time serving with the Alabama Military Academy where he was involved in teaching and evaluating leadership skills of young Soldiers for their deployment overseas. Tim retired in 2012 with 23 years of total service to the military.
Thomas A. Humber
Partner
Office:205-342-3539
Fax: 205-342-3467
A lifelong resident of Tuscaloosa, Thomas attended and graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication and Information Sciences.
He holds a Life and Health Underwriter's license, which was awarded by The State of Alabama Department of Insurance as well as numerous agent and broker licenses with the Top Ten Insurance Companies of America. Currently, Thomas is pursuing the industry's two highest professional designations: Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant, which are awarded by The American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
Thomas began his insurance career in 2007 in Beaufort, South Carolina. He joined the The Fitts Agency, Inc. as an associate in October of 2010 and became a partner in 2018.
Thomas is a member of the Tuscaloosa Estate Planning Council and Christ Episcopal Church in Tuscaloosa. He also serves as a board member for Junior Achievement of Tuscaloosa.
Luke Lawrence, CLCS
Partner
Office:205-342-3550
Fax: 205-342-3467
Luke was raised and spent most of his life in Tuscaloosa and is a graduate of Hillcrest High School. He was awarded a football scholarship to Troy University and decided he wanted to focus on a career in the insurance industry. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Risk Management in 2015. His hard work and drive was visible not only on the football field, but also in the classroom where he was able to obtain his degree in three and a half years while lettering with the Troy University Trojan football team.
After graduating, Luke accepted a position as a Commercial Underwriter with Auto-Owners Insurance in their Montgomery branch. He was promoted to Commercial Field Underwriter and traveled to various insurance agencies across Alabama working hand in hand with agents. He joined the Fitts Agency in 2018.
Luke has a unique perspective when working with clients and understands what underwriters look for when evaluating risks. He uses his knowledge and experience to develop custom risk management programs that best serve his clients.
Agents
Jeffrey S. Hogg, CLCS, CPIA
Agent
Office:205-342-3507
Fax: 205-342-3467
Born and raised in the state of Georgia, Jeffrey S. Hogg joined the Fitts Agency team in 2004 and primarily concentrates on commercial insurance. As an agent, Jeff has focused his attention on the garage industry, including towing operations. He also maintains a strong relationship with all types of religious organizations as well. Although his focus are in these areas, Jeff is still highly qualified for all types of industries within the commercial arena including contractors, manufacturers, retail, and service risks.
Jeff attended the University of Alabama where he holds a B.A. in Political Science and English. Outside of the office, he spends most of his free time giving back to the community by serving on numerous non-profit organizations boards, coaching youth athletics, and serving as a commissioner for the City of Northport.
Jeff was awarded the Young Agent of the Year Award by the Alabama Independent Insurance Agents in 2009. This award is given to an agent under 40 years of age who demonstrates dedication to the insurance industry by being a positive example to his peers and clients, while working outside the office within his community. He also served as a President of the Alabama Independent Insurance Agents in 2016.
Jeff is married to Nicole, and the proud father of one son, Hayden and three daughters, Addison, Keltie, and Anna Grayden Hogg.
Administration
David Wright
Chief Financial Officer, HR Manager
Office:205-342-3530
Fax: 205-342-3467
David joined the Fitts Agency after spending 15 years in the media business arena working as a financial officer for a national media company. Prior to his media experience he worked for a regional utility contractor also as a financial officer. Before moving to Tuscaloosa in 1992 he spent 10 years in Birmingham practicing as a CPA in addition to working in the corporate headquarters of a large family owned conglomerate of companies, involved in the construction, real estate, oil & gas, and alternative energy industries.
David graduated from the University of Alabama business school in 1983 with a degree in accounting. He is active in the Tuscaloosa Community serving on several boards including the DCH Foundation and Counseling Ministry Professionals. David and his wife, Shannon, are also active members at First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa. David and Shannon have two children, Elizabeth who resides in Nashville, TN and Miller who is attending the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL.
David is also a Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Joe Nichols, CIC, MSM-RMI
Commercial Lines Manager
Office:205-342-3515
Fax: 205-342-3467
Joe is the Commercial Lines Manager here at Fitts Agency. Joe has served the insurance industry in various roles with several different companies and agencies throughout his career. His past positions have included being an agency owner, operations manager, marketing manager, personal lines manager, and other varying capacities. Joe's undergraduate degree is from Freed-Hardeman University and his Masters in Risk Management and Insurance was received from Florida State University. Joe has served in leadership positions and on boards of many non-profits and civic organizations.
Joe and his wife, Cathy, live on a small cattle farm in northwest Alabama.
Bond Department
Commercial Lines
Stephanie Estes, CIC, CISR, CMIP
Commercial Lines Account Manager
Office:205-342-3523
Fax: 205-342-3467
Personal Lines
Trish Parker, CIC, CISR
Personal Lines Marketing Specialist & Account Manager
Office:205-342-3529
Fax: 205-342-3467
Christy Westbrook, CIC, CPRM, CISR
Personal Lines Account Manager
Office:205-342-3537
Fax: 205-342-3467
Claims
Receptionist
MERCHANTS & FARMERS
Sharon Trammell
Eutaw Office Manager, Commercial and Personal Lines
Office:205-372-0832
Fax: 205-342-3467