Impactful Industry Leader Julie George Joins as Chief Revenue Officer, Bringing National Experience in Guiding Teams to Uncover and Deliver Solutions-Focused Client Service

Julie George, a 20-year insurance industry veteran, has joined Oakbridge as its first Chief Revenue Officer. She is responsible for revenue growth initiatives that include the recruiting, onboarding and the continued development of the firm’s sales professionals, as they implement best-in-class sales strategies, ensuring Oakbridge continues to elevate the way business is done in the insurance industry.

We recently caught up with Julie and asked her a few questions:

Oakbridge: Hi, Julie! Welcome to Oakbridge. We’re glad you’re here. Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started.

Julie George: Thank you! I’m excited to be here. It’s great to be part of such a dynamic organization. I love our mission to be the premiere middle market insurance agency in the Southeast, and I’m thrilled to help drive further success.

I’m from a small town in Iowa where there were 42 graduates in my high school class, including kids from seven other towns! My first job out of college was for The Buckle, a national apparel retailer started in the Midwest, with a culture rooted in teamwork and exceptional shopper experiences. This is where I first learned how to take my passion for people and raise the level of customer service. I also saw firsthand the value of continual learning and leadership. 

I later moved to North Carolina with The Buckle before transitioning to work for Dale Carnegie, another truly formative position. With these experiences in leadership and sales management, I was fortunate to be selected as the succession candidate for the president of a small agency, where the owner taught me all facets of the business. After the agency was acquired, we rebranded and I expanded my career into sales leadership at several B2B companies the new organization owned, including payroll services and insurance.

Oakbridge: Wow! That’s quite a ride early in your career! What other key work experiences have you had?

Julie George: It sure was – I learned so much! I’m lucky to have been in insurance ever since – more than 20 years. From there, I transitioned to an international brokerage where I held a variety of leadership roles on regional and national teams. Everything I did combined sales strategies with operational integration and personnel development with a focus on superior service to clients. 

Oakbridge: What were some key things you learned?

Julie George: When I look back on my experiences, I see they helped me embrace and hone my ability to recognize people’s strengths and help them find the best ways to capitalize on them. You have to really take the time to get to know people and it requires conversations, understanding and empathy. For me, I look at the big picture to envision where the organization wants to go and then work back from there to build teams to achieve phenomenal results. I love it when the sum of the parts is greater than the whole! 

Growing up in a small, agricultural town with limited resources, you learn how to be creative in crafting solutions. You have to be proactive with risk, or it’ll shut down an operation. Those are really important lessons that have served me well.

Oakbridge: What attracted you to Oakbridge?

Julie George: So many things! I’ve known several members of the leadership team for years, and I’ve always held them in high regard. Robbie’s vision for the organization is clear, actionable and inspiring. I like what Oakbridge stands for – small town values with best-in-class service. I’m from a small town, and that’s how I was brought up. My parents instilled in me a need for excellence and teamwork, and I see those as two of Oakbridge’s biggest strengths. 

I understand and appreciate the business model as well and recognize the challenges of expanding through integrating other agencies. Maintaining and enhancing culture, not to mention meshing operations, is a big lift – but I’m undaunted by the challenge. How does everything fit? How do we get alignment across the organization? How do I empower a diverse group of sales professionals? These are the questions I love, and I can’t wait to begin to answer them!

Oakbridge: Thanks, Julie! Again, welcome to the Oakbridge family.