Kent Shepard
Shepard Insurance Agency

At the top of Kent Shepard’s loyalty list is being an Aggie, through and through. It all started back when Shepard, owner, Shepard Insurance Agency, was in the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets, a Ross Volunteer.

“Did you know in World War II, A&M provided more military officers than anybody in the United States other than military academies?” He bragged. “Being an Aggie in the Corps has probably been one of the most rewarding aspects of my life. As a freshman you go through boot camp and it’s pretty tough. As a Corps member, you make such lasting connections. There’s still a group of us who get together a few times a year.”

Raised on a farm with 1,000 head of hogs, 500 sheep, a couple hundred head of cattle, and growing wheat and oats, Kent’s ancestors had moved outside Graham, Texas, in the late 1800s.

Water skiing on the Rio Grande River with his roommate’s family brought him to the Valley.

“I grew up water skiing and thought it was a kick. His parents became like second parents to me.”

Working for Reynolds International after college, he used his marketing degree to sell their scrapers for years from west Texas to California. Meeting up with an old buddy from high school got him involved with Farm Bureau Insurance and he fell in love with the industry.

“I love insurance,” he admitted. “It’s something everybody has to have. I spend the majority of my time in the commercial side and have clients I’ve had for up to 30 years.”

Kent gives credit to his staff, and is appreciative of their hard work.
“I hang my hat on my employees. They are all licensed, except my receptionist, and professional, keeping up with insurance courses.”

Owning his agency since 1998, Kent and his family have found their home in McAllen.