About Us Menu Introduction History Mission Management Team Directors

Robert Caldwell, President and Chief Executive Officer, is directly responsible for leading N.C. Grange Mutual's management team in their efforts to build a successful company, capitalizing on 75 years of heritage and the company has a strong commitment to the independent agency system.

Robert is a seasoned insurance professional with extensive knowledge of the farm and rural insurance markets and products in North Carolina. He has more than forty years of insurance experience and is responsible for the strategic direction of the Company.

Employed with N.C. Grange Mutual since 1963, Robert has served as President of the Company since 1980. He represents the Company on the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) Education Committee and Underwriting Committee; the N.C. Department of Insurance's Liaison Committee; and as Past President of the National Federation of Grange Mutual Insurance Companies. He has taught numerous courses for NAMIC, National Grange Mutual and even an Underwriting Seminar to Farm Bureau Companies in Mid-Western states.

Robert is a life-long member of the North Carolina State Grange, serving as Legislative Representative to the N.C. General Assembly from 1973-1976. He was President of the N.C. State Grange from 1985 until 2003. Robert has represented the Grange on several State Study Commissions under various Governors, including the Governor's Insurance Advisory Committee, Health Advisory Committee and Ag Advisory Committee. Robert is also very involved in his church having served in various positions including Chairman of Deacons.

Robert serves on various Committees for the College of Agriculture at N.C. State University. He has served as a member of the Board of the Cooperative Council for more than twenty years. He served as Chairman of United Forces for Education (a statewide advocacy organization for Public Education) from 1995-2000. He has been recognized by the Award of Merit from the 4-H Organization; has been named Tar Heel of the Week by the Raleigh News and Observer; received the Honorary American Certification from FFA and was elected to Gamma Delta Phi, the National Honorary Agricultural Fraternity at N.C. State University.

Robert earned a BBA in Public Administration from Wake Forest College where he played on the golf team. His studies included courses in Business Law and Insurance. He completed the Agribusiness Seminar at Harvard Graduate School of Business and has participated in numerous insurance and agriculture related study groups.

Deb P. Welch
Vice President

Deb Welch, Vice President, is responsible for the company's personal and commercial lines underwriting. Deb has been with N.C. Grange Mutual since 1985 and has extensive knowledge of the products offered by the company.

Deb began working in the insurance industry while in High School. In 1968 she was a CSR for Richardson Insurance Agency. In 1976, she became a Customer Service Representative for Wimbish Insurance Agency. Deb was Personal Lines Manager from 1979 to 1982 for Godwin Insurance Agency. From 1982 to 1985 she was the Office Manager for Haley Insurance Services. In 1985, she joined N.C. Grange Mutual as Head Underwriter and was promoted to Vice President of Underwriting in June of 1996 and Vice President in 2007.

Deb received her agent's license in 1978 and her Certificate in Principals of Insurance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1979. She is a certified Professional Insurance Woman (CPIW). She has passed two of the four courses for Associate in Underwriting (AIU) certification. Deb has over forty years experience in the insurance industry.

Very involved in her hometown of Mayodan, N.C. Deb is Treasurer of the Mayodan Lions Club and Young Women's Ministries. She is an active member of Mayodan Pentecostal Holiness Church serving on Praise Team and Christian Education Department.

Cathy C. Wells
Secretary/Treasurer

As Treasurer, Cathy Wells is responsible for the day to day accounting duties along with cash control and investment portfolio management. She manages the accounts payable function, month-end closeout, and management and regulatory reporting functions. Cathy works closely with selected brokers to see that N.C. Grange Mutual's investment portfolio is performing at top efficiency.

Cathy has worked for N.C. Grange Mutual since high school, starting in the file room. After graduating from college, she joined the company as Investment Manager and Assistant to the Treasurer. She also worked in the Underwriting Department, underwriting homeowner and fire policies. In 1996, she was elected Treasurer of the company and in 2007, she was elected to serve as Secretary of N.C. Grange Mutual as well. Cathy has over 20 years experience in the insurance industry.

Involved in the community, Cathy has served as a Deacon, on the Finance Committee and as Chairman of Personnel at her church. She serves on the PTAs at her children's schools and is an assistant leader for a local Girl Scout troop.

Cathy holds a BBA degree from the Calloway School of Business at Wake Forest University and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Nancy Whitaker
Claims Manager

As Claims Manager, Nancy Whitaker is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Claims Department. She is responsible for accepting and recording loss notices, establishing reserves, adjusting claims, assigning independent adjusters if required, and paying claims. Nancy has been with N.C. Grange Mutual since 1986 and has extensive knowledge of the claims process and claims adjusting industry in North Carolina.

Nancy started her career in the insurance industry in 1978 at Iowa National. At Iowa National, she started as a file clerk. In 1980 she was promoted to Correspondence and Document Manager where she was responsible for tracking files and matching all correspondence and documents with the appropriate file. She worked at Iowa National until 1986 when she joined N.C. Grange Mutual.

Nancy started with N.C. Grange Mutual as File Room Manager. In 1988 she was promoted to Claims Assistant. During her tenure in the claims department, Nancy's eagerness and ability has earned her increasing duties and responsibilities. In her role as Claims Assistant, she was responsible for preparation of correspondence related to claims, logging reported claims, and establishing claims files. In 1996, she was given the responsibility of establishing claims reserves for small property claims. In 1997, she began handling Medical Payment claims. In 1999, she was given the responsibility of payment of small claims. On January, 2001, upon the semi-retirement of Merrill Norris, Nancy was promoted to Claims Manager with full responsibility for the Claims Department. Nancy has thirty in the insurance industry.

Prior to her career in insurance, Nancy worked at Southern Mechanical from 1974 until 1978. While at Southern Mechanical, she was a Product Inspector. Nancy is a graduate of Northeast Guilford High School. She received her Adjuster's License from the North Carolina Department of Insurance in January, 2001.

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