Producer Spotlight: Trae Vaughan

Experience, Leadership and Teamwork Create a Blueprint for Success

For Trae Vaughan, providing the highest level of outstanding and impactful service to clients is the starting point rather than the end goal.

Trae, a partner in Oakbridge’s Chattanooga office, says “My clients are busy and ambitious, and I respect that. I’m proud to represent them, I make it a point to meet with them face-to-face frequently to understand and appreciate their goals, aspirations and the key factors driving their success. But most importantly, we want to fully understand the risk challenges they face so that we can convert them into opportunities before they become a loss.”

He has used this foundational approach of listening, building trust and delivering market-leading risk and insurance solutions to establish himself as one of the agency’s top producers – with a client base that has grown by 30%, year-over-year.

Trae’s practice focuses on providing risk management, insurance and bond solutions to contractors, energy producers, real estate developers and private equity. He also leads Oakbridge’s captive management and consulting practice, helping clients maximize the financial benefits of alternative risk transfer.

Customized Solutions Born of Experience

His focus on the construction sector has been intentional and highly successful. “I’m not a generalist; I’ve purposefully built a niche practice focusing on the needs of contractors, with a particular emphasis on providing innovative solutions to meet their bond, insurance and risk management needs. I’ve learned the surety business through on-the-job training. Having industry-leading clients, carriers and mentors like Mark Brock has been essential to my professional growth and has shaped my vision for the industry.”

Trae’s leadership on the company’s largest insurance and surety account is a powerful testament to his commitment to delivering exceptional client service.

The client, a North Georgia-based, national general contractor came to Oakbridge about five years ago and earlier this year was stymied by issues with its previous bond agent. “Our team initially acquired their general commercial P&C coverage and soon thereafter rounded out with their employee benefits. Over the past several months, largely due to our extensive and excellent carrier relationships in the surety market, we’ve been able to analyze their operations and create solutions that not only boost their program but have helped the client improve the terms of their indemnity agreement. We removed the necessity for company executives and their spouses to personally indemnify their bonds,” Trae explains. This represents a significant and unique result which blends professional achievements with an eye on the personal pressures business leaders face.

Trae started his career as a regional underwriter for Travelers, serving 125 agencies across the Southeast. An opportunity opened at Brock Insurance Agency in Chattanooga, and he was impressed by their different approach and the work they were doing. Fifteen years later, he is playing a key role in positioning Oakbridge as a leader in the insurance, surety and captive markets, driving its rapid differentiation and growth.

Collaboration Increases Impact

“We’re uniquely able to leverage company-wide expertise in claims, carrier relationships and proactive services – embodied in Bill Brett, Clayton Matthews and Frank Eldridge – to provide a level of service and value that our competitors can’t match.” He points to this high level of teamwork as a key factor in Oakbridge’s success.

Trae’s steady, proactive, solutions-based approach to building business applies to his team in Chattanooga as well. Trae says “I have a great team that I’m able to empower and delegate to, who are passionate about designing and delivering solutions. Our process enables us to overdeliver for clients in terms of proactivity, responsiveness and value. We rely on trust to build opportunities, both for ourselves and our clients.”

Trae is a designated Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) and Certified Builders Insurance Agent (CBIA). He is active in several industry and charitable organizations, such as the Home Builders Association, the Independent Insurance Agents of America, LAUNCH Chattanooga and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. He was recently named to the board of advisors of the East Tennessee chapter of Associated General Contractors and was a recent chairman of the Boys and Girls Club of Chattanooga. He and his wife have four children and live in Chattanooga.

Client Service is at the Core of Success

A strategic focus on the construction industry is clearly yielding results for Trae. He remains deeply attuned to his clients’ businesses, consistently and effectively addressing their unique needs.

“This is a relatively small market, and reputation matters. We’ve worked hard to establish ourselves as a leader for mid-market operators. Construction is a booming sector, and Oakbridge is positioned to provide a wide array of risk management, bond and insurance solutions to those clients. I’m proud of the work we’ve done and excited about what lies ahead.”