William E. Shurley – President, graduated from Florida State University in 1969. After serving as an officer in the US Air Force, he passed the CPA exam at first sitting and practiced public accounting with the international CPA firm of Touche Ross & Co. (now Deloitte & Touche). Since joining Fortner in 1986, he has earned the designation of Certified Insurance Counselor. Will is a former member of the Agents Advisory Council for Penn National Insurance Company. He serves on the Board of Directors of Spruce Pine Kiwanis Club (past president), Parkway Playhouse, Spruce Pine Community Hospital Foundation, High Country Youth Ballet (treasurer), and is former Senior Warden of Trinity Episcopal Church.

John C. Hall – Executive Vice President, graduated from Western Carolina University in 1984 and has been associated with Fortner Insurance since then. He is a graduate of the Insurance Executive Program at Appalachian State University, and currently serves on the Agents Advisory Council of Penn National Insurance Company. He is a former member of the Agents Advisory Council for Hanover Insurance Company. John was designated as "Most Valuable Producer" by Volunteer Firemen's Insurance Services in 1993. His community activities include Grassy Creek Baptist Church (Deacon, past chairman of the Deacon Board, Commander of AWANA club, and Music Director), and Parkway Fire and Rescue.

Thomas H. Bledsoe – Secretary / Treasurer, obtained his BA degree in History from Belmont Abbey College. He immediately joined North Carolina National Bank in Charlotte, later transferring to Marion and ultimately to Spruce Pine. He joined Fortner Insurance in 1977 and moved to Avery County in 1986 to manage the Newland and Banner Elk branch offices. Tom has earned the Chartered Life Underwriter designation and specializes in commercial property and casualty accounts. An extremely involved citizen, Tom has served as President of the Avery County Chamber of Commerce, the Mayland Community College Foundation, and Banner Elk Kiwanis. He is an active member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church and is currently chairman of the Avery Partnership for Children.

Calvin F. Hall – President Emeritus, has been associated with Fortner Insurance Agency for more than forty years. A Mitchell County native, Calvin has a statewide reputation for integrity, consistency, personal contact and professionalism. Calvin is an active member of Spruce Pine Rotary Club and Spruce Pine Presbyterian Church, and is an avid collector of railroad memorabilia and other antiques.

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