One of the high-tech minds behind building the systems keeping us safe in the United States has now built her lifelong dream in the Bull City. Monday morning, Morrisville’s Stephanie Ross will open the doors on Brightway, The Ross Family Agency in Durham.
“My mom would always ask me what I wanted to do one day, and I’d tell her I’m going to run my own business,” Ross recalled from her childhood.
Next week, after a career filled with helping program safety measures for the military and homeland security, the retired U.S. Navy sailor will pull up anchor and set sail with her own Page Road insurance franchise.
Preparing for the future is something Ross comes by honestly. With a father who helped invent the modern-day ambulance and a mother who launched an educational career beginning in the job corps, Ross’ insurance business was the next logical step in her family’s dedication to protecting what matters most.
For Ross, her first experience of safeguarding others was earned defending the nation on three different tours in four years of military service. Ross worked aboard the USS Samuel Gompers during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, as well as a final tour in the Persian Gulf aboard the USS McKee. “I can still hear the hum of the engine room aboard those ships,” Ross recalls. “To this day, I can’t sleep in silence.”
Next week, she’ll be the one making noise in her new industry as she launches an American Dream she spent much of her life defending. While a box fan now replaces the roar of military engines as she falls asleep each night, this new venture is not a field that’s foreign to this Tar Heel State native. “I did door-to-door insurance sales right out of college. Although I love what I’ve done in my life, I really enjoyed working with people versus machines,” Ross said.
From Homeland Security to the Department of Defense, Ross spent the past decade working on different projects designing high-level computer networking for the nation.
With nearly 25 years as a civil servant for the U.S., Ross holds a bachelor of art degree in business administration from Bishop College (TX) and a master of science degree in computer information systems from the University of Phoenix. Ross has three children and currently resides in Morrisville.
Brightway, The Ross Family Agency offers customized Home, Flood, Auto, Boat, Condo, Renters, Personal Articles, RV, Motorcycle, Umbrella, Commercial and Life insurance policies from numerous insurance companies. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EDT) and Saturday/Sunday by appointment. Visit them at their office at 2296 Page Road, Suite 202 in Durham, online at BrightwayRossFamily.com or call 984-297-8855.
Brightway’s corporate office staff provides expertise and support in areas including customer service, technology, accounting, marketing, distribution and business analytics. In addition, Brightway handles carrier relations and appointments, as well as support with personnel hiring, licensing, onboarding, training and retention. The company’s signature after-the-sale service empowers Agency Owners, like Stephanie, to focus on new business sales and provide customers the personalized service they deserve.
About Brightway Insurance
Established in 2008, Brightway grew to become one of the largest privately-owned property/casualty insurance distribution companies in the U.S. with more than 300 franchises in 38 states and more than $1 billion in annual premiums. Recently, Brightway’s success led to a private equity investment that has infused the company with financial and human capital, and data and analytics access, to accelerate growth and deliver new and exciting market opportunities.
Brightway produces winning outcomes for franchisees and their customers by offering access to customized coverage solutions from a range of insurers paired with full back office and marketing support. This winning model allows agents and producers to focus on addressing the needs of their customers to become trusted advisors and grow their businesses.
