About Us
ABOUT US
Looking for an insurance agent in Wilson, NC? We are here ready to help! Since 1985, the Wilson office has been supporting its clients. In 2023, our office (formerly John Hackney Insurance), joined Alera Group. Our team specializes in a variety of solutions, including:
- Auto, Home, RV Coverage and more
- Professional and Financial Solutions
- Property and Casualty Solutions
- Long-term Care Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Health Insurance – If you're an individual or family who does not currently have insurance through a group employer plan, we offer individual health plans. If you own a business, we can assist with comparing group coverages offerings.
Meet Our Team
Teresa Wheeler
Commercial Lines Account Manager
Teresa was born and raised in North Carolina and lives in Wilson with her husband, Bobby, and their dog Rip. Her greatest hobby is watching sports, and she loves dog sitting, and helping find homes for stray animals.
She began her insurance career in 1993 and started working with the John Hackney Agency in 1999. She enjoys helping our customers and getting to know them to find the best insurance coverage for them.
Working as an independent agent with the John Hackney Agency has been a very pleasant experience for Teresa, and she hopes to have many more years with the Agency.
Rhonda Hawley
Commercial Lines Account Manager
Rhonda began her career at John Hackney Agency in 1989 and has worked in all areas of the commercial lines department, working her way up to Commercial Account Manager in December,1999.
Customers really love and appreciate her promptness, her kind, quiet way, her efficiency, and her sharp attention to detail. More than once a client has said they had been contacted about moving their insurance but there was no way they were losing Rhonda as their account manager. That tells you a lot about Rhonda and her sharp work ethic and how much she is appreciated by her clients and co-workers. Her aunt, Ann, the agency receptionist, is Rhonda’s mother’s sister so it’s a family affair for Ann and Rhonda.
Married to Ricky since 1991, they have two daughters Taylor and Caroline and attend Peace Church. They enjoy relaxing and cooking out in their backyard. In the summer they love to pack up their golden retriever, Molly, and head down to the beach in their travel trailer to enjoy some sun, sand, and salt water.
Shannon Cary
Commercial Lines Account Manager
Shannon lives in Nashville with her husband Troy and their two children, Logan and Jackson. The ultimate neat-freak, she enjoys keeping her house spotless, doing the mountain of laundry a 4 person household produces and mostly just being a mom and wife. Like many of us at John Hackney Agency, she enjoys spending time with her family on as many weekends at the beach as they can fit into their busy family schedule. While there, they enjoy boating, relaxing, reading the latest best seller and just having fun in the sun!
Shannon brings 15 years of experience to the Commercial Lines department and applies the same neat-freak skills in assisting her customers every day as she does in keeping her home spotless.
Jacquelyn Whitley
Commercial Lines Account Manager
Born in Chicago, Illinois, and having moved to North Carolina in 1985, Jacquelyn has built a diverse and successful career. With over 15 years of experience in emergency medical services, she has been a dedicated paramedic since 2018, after first entering the field in 2005. In 2019, she expanded her expertise by obtaining an insurance license, allowing her to bring the same level of dedication and care to the insurance industry.
She is married to the love of her life and is a proud mother of two beautiful daughters who look just like her. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she is passionate about the outdoors, especially enjoying fishing and hunting.
In 2023, she became an ambassador for the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, a role that aligns with her commitment to community engagement. Her efforts were recognized when she was named the 2024 Ambassador of the Year.
With a deep-rooted passion for helping others and a drive to continue growing both personally and professionally, she remains dedicated to making a positive impact in every area she pursues.
Resources
Claims Management. When a claim happens, we want to help you as promptly as possible. Please feel free to stop by or call one of our offices to report a claim or let us help you with any questions you might have. If it’s after hours and you need to talk to someone immediately, you can contact the carrier directly for 24-hour claims service.
To report a claim: You can call us, stop by our office or call the company to report a claim. If you choose to contact the company, have your policy number on hand before calling.
To make a direct bill payment or manage your billing: Most of our companies have 24 hour payment services. Remember to have your policy number and your bank account or credit card information on hand before you make the call. You can also stop by our office where we’ll be happy to assist you with your direct bill payments.
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Property and Casualty
Unlocking Our 2026 P&C Market Outlook: High Level & Field Level Insights for Clients
Join EVP and Property and Casualty Practice Leader Justin Foa for an informative conversation on key findings and takeaways from Alera Group's annual flagship 2026 Property and Casualty Market Outlook Report.
January 20, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Foundations – Understanding the Multigenerational Workforce
In our three-part webinar series, Designing Benefits That Work – A Data-Driven, Multigenerational Focus, we’ll explore multigenerational workforce insights, debunk generational myths, share early- and late-career planning strategies, review legal and compliance trends and provide actionable tools and resources.
January 21, 2026 at 10:00 am CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
The 2026 Market Reality: Why Costs Feel Uncontrollable — and Where Leaders Still Have Leverage
A clear map of where leaders can act in 2026 and how to prioritize decisions that move cost and outcomes.
January 22, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Property and Casualty
Are you prepared for 2026? Property and Casualty Trends Uncovered
The sixth annual Property and Casualty Market Outlook from Alera Group sets the stage for how organizations can recalibrate their risk strategies in 2026. Built on thousands of data points — including a nationwide survey of insurance company partners and wholesale intermediaries — this report delivers actionable insights for insurance buyers, risk managers and business leaders.
December 17, 2025
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Property and Casualty
Top 5 Insurance Surprises Businesses Face in Q4 — and How to Prevent Them
As year-end approaches, many organizations focus on closing out financials and planning for the year ahead. It’s also the time when insurance programs often reveal unexpected challenges, some avoidable, others the result of shifting market conditions or overlooked details.
October 30, 2025
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Alera Group’s 2025 Property and Casualty Market Update
Alera Group’s 2025 Property and Casualty Market Update, designed as a bridge between Alera Group’s annual Market Outlooks — provides insight into pricing, coverage availability, market capacity and underwriting trends for the balance of 2025.
August 1, 2025
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Severe Weather Is Getting Worse. Is Your Business Interruption Insurance Keeping Up?
The increasing frequency and severity of weather- and climate-related events such as catastrophic storms, floods and wildfires make business continuity planning more important than ever. Part of your plan should include reviewing your organization's Business Interruption Insurance coverage.
May 5, 2025
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