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Darren D. Hooker, RHU, went into the employee benefit business after graduating from The University of Texas in 1985. He spent the first 25 years on the wholesale side calling on brokers while building relationships internally and externally. The appreciation for both sides of the benefit business gives him a unique perspective. He started his own retail benefit business in 2013 and eventually merged with NBI & Associates in 2021. He is happily married and has three children. Darren loves spending time with his family, playing golf, and traveling. 

David Beach grew up in the benefits business and officially hired on with NBI & Associates at the age of 21. Starting as a lead generator, he quickly moved into the role of Group Production Assistant. Now, many years later, David is NBI’s Chief Operating Officer and Group Production Director. David is happily married and has one child. His interests include family, golf, football (American) and poker.

James Lee graduated from the University of Arkansas and began his career of financial services as Assistant VP of Agriculture Loans with State National Bank in Big Spring, Texas. He transitioned into Personal Lines insurance with Texas Farm Bureau as an Insurance Agent in Big Spring; later becoming an Agency Manager in Muleshoe, Texas.  James opened his scratch Allstate agency in Lewisville in 1989. With a focus on service and multi-line household penetration of insurance coverage, he built a successful agency and sold it 2009.  James brought his knowledge of the “Allstate Agency world” to the Allstate Benefits side in 2015 when he joined TAG Benefits Group to help agency owners and their staff discover and capitalize on AB sales potential within their book of business. Being part of the NBI team, James has broaden his focus to include all lines of employee benefits planning. James is an avid outdoorsman. He and his wife, Pat, also enjoy spending time with their two children and two grandchildren.

Don Ewing graduated from Texas Tech in 1988 and spent the next 11 years putting his Landscape Architecture degree to work with design build firms around Lubbock and Irving.  He transitioned into Financial Planning in 1999 with A. G. Edwards, receiving his Series 7, 63, 65 and Life & Health license. After a short time with Morgan Stanley, Don was recruited by Allstate in 2001 as an Exclusive Financial Specialist (EFS) where he partnered with Allstate Agents for the next 14 years. In that position, he specialized in Asset Management, Business Continuation strategies and Estate Planning with 401(k) Plans, Simple Plans, Partnership Agreements and Key-Person Protection policies. Transitioning to the Allstate Benefits side in 2015, Don continued to help his agent partners meet their agency goals while bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to TAG Benefits Group. Being part of the NBI team, Don has broaden his focus to include all lines of employee benefits planning. An avid outdoorsman, Don enjoys fishing, hunting and running field trials with his labs. He is happily married to Jody and enjoying spending time with his five children and seven grandchildren. 

Kathy Ogburn began her professional career as an administrative professional in 1990. After graduating from The University of Phoenix in 2005, she became an independent Insurance Agent focusing on Supplemental Benefits, Individual Health, Medicare, and all other Personal Lines coverage. She has also been a Benefit and Retirement Planning Advisor to teachers across the state for over 13 years. Kathy’s primary focus now is serving the small business community in employee benefit planning, along with continuing her service to the senior market. Kathy’s vast experience in all areas of personal and business insurance gives her a unique perspective and approach. Kathy joined TAG Benefits Group in the Spring of 2019 and now continues her role with NBI & Associates. Kathy is happily married to Bart; and they enjoy traveling and spending time with their children.

Travis Beach joined the NBI team in 2022 as a Group Production Assistant. As a quick study, he swiftly transitioned into the role of Group Marketing Specialist with a side of Accounting. Travis plans to continue growing his knowledge in the insurance field for many years to come. In the future, he plans to settle down and start a family. In the meantime, Travis enjoys his days off watching sports, playing golf and spending time with his family and friends.

Kathy Mercer started her career in insurance industry in 2004 and joined the NBI team about 9 years ago. As a Group Production Specialist, Kathy searches the market for the best insurance solutions for both clients and prospective clients. Kathy enjoys helping clients navigate through their coverage renewal process and understand how their benefits work for them. Kathy enjoys watching her husband, Jackie, run his race car and going to the beach. They also love spending time with their children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren. 

Ria Beach has been serving NBI's clients for 12 years. She knew early on when joining the military she has a heart for service. Transitioning from PN(PS) to customer service was seamless and being bilingual offers her the opportunity to assist the needs of a greater demographic. Her passion for helping people has driven her in every aspect of life. Ria is very active within different ministries of her church community as well as in her neighborhood community because bringing people together in fellowship is important. During her time off, she enjoys spending time with her family and can be found contributing time and talent just about everywhere.