John Witherspoon, IV, President, john4@scubains.com
John Witherspoon has over twenty five years of experience in the insurance industry. He received his B.A. degree in Business Administration from Mercer University in 1982 and his CIC designation in 1989. John previously worked as the manger of the SCUBA department for Gale Smith + Co. He is also active in commercial insurance business, handling various types of SCUBA manufacturing and service risks. In 1989 he put together a program for SCUBA professional liability. The program provided broad coverage at a competitive price and showed growth since its inception. In 1993, a store program was developed and a boat program the following year. These programs are very similar to the coverage we offer today.

John’s interest in SCUBA dates back to the 1970s. He has been a master instructor in NASE (National Academy of Scuba Educators) and NASDS (National Association of SCUBA Diving Schools) and has more than five hundred dives to his credit. He also teaches underwater photography and videography as well as open water, advanced open water, and several specialties. He holds certifications and instructor ratings for several other certification agencies. John participates in DEMA conventions and programs.

John’s unique blend of insurance and SCUBA expertise qualifies him to act as a program coordinator for our SCUBA program. He is the main contact for the boat and store coverages and lead underwriter for the program risk. His contacts with various instructional and retail associations, as well as his knowledge and interest in the sport make him the perfect asset.

Andrew Wilson, ARM, General Manager, andrew@scubains.com
Andrew Wilson is a young, up and coming insurance professional, with an addictive interest in the diving industry. He is a recent graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Finance and a concentration in Insurance. He worked with Witherspoon and Associates for over three years and left in 2007 to work with a leading national commercial insurance provider as a risk consultant. With six months of corporate training over topics such as program development, hazards identification, and OSHA requirements and over a year of field experience, Andrew has extensive knowledge in risk management. Andrew has also recently completed his Association in Risk Management (ARM) designation and plans to use his newly acquired knowledge to benefit customers and the SCUBA industry.

Andrew began his interest in diving after taking a semester long course at his university. This program boasts a successful history and size, second only to the University of Texas. He received an advanced certification through the program and plans to continue his training to the instructor level. Andrew considers diving to be the most enjoyable recreational hobby out there and has a deep passion for the industry and the people that work in it.

Andrew understands the fast-paced world we all live in, centered on technology. He has helped to develop the new image for Witherspoon and Associates, including the new logo, website, customer communication and plans to develop a web based risk management program in the upcoming year. Andrew’s deep understanding of our coverages and enthusiasm for the diving make him a great addition the Witherspoon and Associates family.

Megan Andrews, Office Manager, megan@scubains.com
Megan Andrews is an essential element of Witherspoon and Associate's team. Megan organizes the office space, implements any necessary changes or corrections to customer's policies, and handles all incoming applications. In addition, she processes tax payments to the states which Witherspoon & Associates serves, and handles necessary licensing requirements with local governments. Megan assists John and Andrew in various tasks as well.

Megan Andrews is our recently promoted Office Manager at Witherspoon and Associates. She handles all of the daily activities, such as policy corrections, payments, communications between underwriters and certification agencies and the surplus lines tax filings. The office would certainly fall apart if it was not for Megan’s demand for perfection. She is P&C licensed.

In her off time, Megan enjoys spending time with her husband and Dachshund at home watching movies. Megan will also be getting her license in October and looks forward to learning more about the insurance and SCUBA industries.

Patrick Basile, CSR, patrick@scubains.com
Patrick Basile is our newest addition to the growing Witherspoon and Associates team. He is currently a junior at Middle Tennessee State University and is majoring in finance with a concentration in insurance. MTSU is the only University in the state to offer a degree in Insurance, and the program is well recognized in the insurance community. Patrick plans to use this opportunity to learn the insurance business, and has his P&C license. This will give him a better working knowledge of insurance and allow him to market products to our customers.

Like Andrew, Patrick is enrolled in the semester long scuba diving program at the country’s second largest program, MTSU. After completing the course he will be NAUI certified and will have an increased knowledge of the world of scuba diving.