I began my career in insurance in 1968. I have held positions as typists, customer service rep, Underwriter, sales representative and finally agency owner. In my 52 years I have owned three agencies and partnered with four individuals to start scratch agencies in various cities. My greatest love is teaching insurance. I taught at CFCC for 23 years both the agents and life courses. I also taught for Florida Association of Agents for their CPIW courses and Project Invest in the high schools. I served on their education committee for over 15 years.

In 1993 I sold my agency to Barnett Bank which resulted in a landmark Supreme Court decision giving banks the right to solicit insurance. I served as National Sales Director for the Hartford Insurance and traveled the nation teaching banks how to sell insurance. Also, I worked for Staff Leasing as their President of Insurance where I learned the many facets of the employee leasing industry.

On a personal note, I have been married to Dale 40 years; we have two daughters Alicia and Melanie, 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. We are currently semi-retired living in Ocala, Fl. and Franklin NC, where we have offices set up in both residences to keep in touch with my offices and insureds.

My hobbies are stained glass, gardening, camping and home renovation projects. I volunteer through programs for the homeless and humane society.

Austin started with Clifford Insurance his senior year at Belleview High School in 2010. He focuses on all lines of commercial insurance and handles day-to-day operations of the agency. In 2018 he became co-owner alongside his grandmother Linda Clifford. In his free time he enjoys relaxing at his home in Ocala and spending time with his beautiful wife Jenna, son Grayson and his two dogs Luna and Duke.

I have been in the insurance industry for 35 years (a little more if you count me working in the summer while in middle and high school). I am proud to have raised 4 beautiful, loving, and strong children and having 2 great step¬children. I am blessed with 5 grandchildren and 2 step grandchildren. My interests include music, camping in our 5th wheel, kayaking, paddleboarding, target shooting, going to the lake and beach, collecting revolver guns, the love of Harley Davidsons, spending time with my family and watching western movies. I also enjoy being a volunteer for the Ocala National Forest. I am proud to have served as President of BNI chapter, which is the largest networking group. What I like most about insurance is the passion to education people on the importance of insuring their assets against possible lawsuits and/or protection from a loss. I love that our agency is now 3 generations strong - carrying the legacy that Linda Clifford, my mother, has built for her family!

My career in the insurance industry began in 1970 with my first job at Crow's Insurance in Belleview, Florida. Within the first year, l was trained to quote Auto Insurance and Mobile Home Insurance. In 1977 l successfully passed the insurance licensing exam for the State of Florida and became a licensed agent. The past 50 years have been an adventure through Personal Lines, Commercial Lines and teaching this fascinating business. Spending time with my family and friends is how I enjoy my leisure hours.

I’m new to Clifford Insurance however I am not new to the insurance industry. My insurance career began in 1991. Starting out as a 4-40/CSR (Customer Service Rep) to eventually obtaining my 2-20 Agents License in 2003. I’ve worked at a few different agencies over the years, all within Marion County with my most recent for over 20 years. I happily chose to leave the “corporate” world and come work with family here at Clifford Insurance. My specialty and passion are Personal Lines. That is where I have been for my entire 30 plus year career. 

I strive to be the best agent/person I can by treating everyone with kindness and understanding. I’m proud to have been born and raised right here in Ocala/Marion County (as were my parents and grandparents). 

My life outside of the insurance world is all about my beautiful children. I am one proud mama to my 26 year-old son, Steavin and 16 year-old daughter, Gianni. My evenings and weekends are consumed with my daughter’s softball schedule. There is nothing I would rather be doing than watching her play (Go Belleview Rattlers!!). When time allows, I get to squeeze in my other passion and that’s watching my Tampa Bay Rays! 

I started in the insurance industry in 1976 in Personal Lines. After 15 years, I moved to Commercial Lines and then retired in 2019. In August 2021 I started back part-time at Clifford Insurance in the Commercial Lines Department.