By Shirley Shuman
After two years of working at the Gassaway State Farm office, Ashlee Dangerfield will become the owner of the agency in January. Dangerfield explained that after she learned that current, and long-time, owner Vicky Murphy Shaver planned to retire, she “decided to apply for [the] upcoming location ownership.”
The decision appeared to be a natural one for Dangerfield. Along with her time with the local agency, she had earlier worked in insurance in another state. She noted that her cousin Leslie Truman had gotten her interested in insurance in 2007 and she “spent many years doing traveling insurance sales.” The future owner emphasized her passion for the importance of insurance “and really educating people on how it works and what it can do for them.” She added, “My job is to help people feel safe and protected from life’s unexpected events, and I take that responsibility very seriously. I really enjoyed working at State Farm and decided that one day I would like to become an agent myself.”
Upon learning of Shaver’s upcoming retirement, Dangerfield began exploring the idea of agency ownership and in May 2024 she applied for the local agency. From that time, she has been busy with the details involved in making the move. First, she had to become licensed with financial Industry Regulatory Authority as an investment advisor representative and broker/dealer representative along with her insurance licenses. That process involved passing “four separate securities licensing exams” for her to be able to offer “variable annuities, variable life insurance, retirement plans, college savings plans, and investment advice.” The soon-to-be owner explained that these services “have not been available to our customers until now” and said she is “very excited to be able to have more ways to help our community.”
After that achievement, Dangerfield had several interviews and submitted detailed business proposals, which led to her being offered the opportunity to open her own agency. Next, she went into “a rigorous internship program that lasted from July to December 2024” and prepared her for her office opening Jan. 2, 2025. She happily reported, “Agent Shaver generously allowed me to rent the existing office and retain the existing phone number so we will still be at the same location, just with a little remodel and some fresh faces.” Dangerfield did mention that her office “will be a bit of a family affair as my team will include my mother Crystal Johnson and my sister Dakota Johnson. Both currently work at the local office. Other current team members who will remain are Jessica Tanner and Haley Rollyson. Dangerfield said Cody Cool will join the team in January.
The new owner and her husband Jon have been married for 10 years. They now live in Gassaway with their eight rescue pets. Expressing her feelings about the new opportunity she faces, she said, “I am so happy to be back home in West Virginia, and I look forward to serving my home town community.”