About
TIS Insurance Services
Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, TIS Insurance Services, Inc. is an independent, privately-owned insurance agency serving clients throughout the United States since 1945. With over 90 employees, TIS is one of the largest independently owned insurance agencies in Tennessee. We are a full-service agency providing commercial insurance, employee benefits, personal lines, surety bonds, and all types of risk mitigation products for businesses and individuals.
Our goal is to provide our customers with superior service, broad coverage provided by highly rated insurance carriers, innovative technology, dependable claims advocacy, and the loss prevention resources to mitigate claims.
At TIS, we pursue our client’s best interests in everything we do. This is the foundation of our company mindset and guides us in the way we do business.
Our
Mission
To pursue our client’s best interest by providing superior services through knowledge, integrity, and professional enthusiasm.
Our
Values
Responsive
to client needs.
Knowledgeable
about insurance, inside and out.
Honest
in putting our client needs above our own.
Committed
to personalized service every day.
Proactive
in mitigating risk to our clients.
Respectful
of our heritage and tradition.
Meet our
Leadership Team
William "Bill" Thomas
Morgan Thomas
Donald B. Wake, CPCU
CPCU
Kimberly M. Wilson
CPA, CPCU, CIC
Benjamin "Ben" Kelly
Stuart Oakes, CIC CRIS
CIC, CRIS
William "Bill" Thomas
Morgan Thomas
Donald B. Wake, CPCU
CPCU
Kimberly M. Wilson
CPA, CPCU, CIC
Benjamin "Ben" Kelly
Stuart Oakes, CIC CRIS
CIC, CRIS
Our
PROMISE
TIS Insurance Services, Inc. is built on service and integrity. It has been our heritage to put the needs of our clients first and we are committed to continuing this tradition.
To affirm this commitment, our owners, directors, officers, and employees all make the following promises:
In every instance, we will deal honestly with you, put your needs in front of our own, and pursue your best interests when involving third parties, including but not limited to the insurance carriers we represent.
When selecting insurance carriers from which to request proposals, we will not consider any possible Contingency Commissions that may be earned through our work with any carrier. Our recommendation will be solely based on our opinion of the best overall fit for your insurance needs.
We will provide to you, upon request, the amount of compensation we receive from all sources for handling your account.
We will provide to you, upon request, copies of any Contingency Agreement which we are a part to with any insurance carrier providing coverage to you.
A Little
History
1945
Norman Thomas founded TIS Insurance Services at 717 Market Street with only 2 employees, Audrey Cochran and Edna Gammon. The agency specialized in Health, Accident, and Hospital insurance.
1959
Norman’s wife, Anne, was named President upon her husband’s passing. Despite the fact that there were few women in the business community, Mrs. Thomas became well respected by her male counterparts and successfully led TIS through those challenging times. She remained the Chair of our Board of Directors until 1979.
1964
Bill Thomas joined TIS in 1964 after he graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Insurance and Banking.
TIS moved to 1501 W. Clinch Avenue in October 1964 where it remained five years.
1969
TIS moved again in October 1969, this time to its own building at 2008 Magnolia Avenue. This was home for the next eleven years. During those years, the staff increased from eleven to sixteen. Premium volume increased to over $2 million.
1980
In May 1980, TIS moved to 341 Troy Circle, a one story brick building in the Bearden Commercial District on the site of the Old Baum Home place.
1987
Kimberly M. Wilson joined TIS in 1987 as Controller and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 1996.
1990
The last move was in August 1990 to our current location at 1900 N Winston Road.
Ben Kelly joined TIS in 1990 as an Employee Benefits agent. Under his guidance as President, the Employee Benefits division has become an important addition to our client resources.
The third generation of his family, W. Morgan Thomas Jr. joined TIS in 1990 following his graduation from the University of Tennessee as a full-time multi-lines agent. He is currently our Corporate President after serving many years as TIS’ President of the Commercial Insurance Division.
1991
On May 6, 1991, Robert L. “Bunny” Oakes, now President Emeritus of the Construction Division, joined the TIS family. Together with his team, they created and built their unit into a premier construction division to service the needs of contracting clients in the Southeast.
Morgan Thomas became a full-time multi-lines producer following in the footsteps of his father and in 20xx was named Corporate President.
2007
Stuart Oakes joined TIS and following Bunny’s retirement in 2021, his son, Stuart Oakes, was named President of the TIS Construction division and replaced Bunny on the Board.
2012
Don Wake joined TIS Insurance Services, Inc. in 2012 with over twenty years’ experience in the insurance industry.
Today
TIS employs over 90 employees and is included among the Top 100 independently owned insurance agencies in the nation.
