Mr. Shupe entered the insurance industry in 1977 as a finance and insurance agent for a local automobile dealership.   The next year, 1978 he was hired by the Nationwide Insurance Group as a full line agent.   During his tenure he was also a district manager and commercial employee benefits and commercial property and casualty trainer.   During his final years with Nationwide, Mr. Shupe was a leading independent producer for that company.   It was during those years that he attained much of his technical knowledge about insurance.

In 1988 he had the opportunity to purchase a small consulting firm that worked primarily with public entities; counties, cities and public utilities.   The original company had seven clients.   Today there are over forty and ESPinc is the leading independent insurance consulting firm in the state of Tennessee, working with public entities.   The firm consults on groups with lives totaling more than 25,000 and property values approaching five billion dollars.   Mr. Shupe is known throughout the public insurance carrier market as a respected, unbiased consultant.   He is also known by most Third Party Benefit Administrators and carriers who write employee benefits.   The software and programming written for ESPinc, developed by Mr. Shupe, is the most comprehensive, technically advanced on-line bid specifications available.   This accomplishment was made possible through his understanding of the industry, clients who use their services, and employees who spend 100% of those health care dollars.

Mr. Shupe has also taught Life Underwriters Training Council Courses and been an instructor for many industry seminars.   He is a long term member of the National Association of Health Underwriters, a national organization of over 20,000 insurance professionals, and has served as the Regional Legislative Chair for seven southern states.   Previous offices held with the organization include past president of the Middle Tennessee Association of Health Underwriters, Past President of the Tennessee Association of Health Underwriters and Tennessee Legislative Chair.   Mr. Shupe was personally responsible for starting three state chapters in Tennessee which increased membership from 150 to 500 in just three years.   That accomplishment won him the prestigious Underwriter of the Year Award and the respect of hundreds of his peers.

In addition to his other responsibilities, Mr. Shupe is a much sought after speaker on the subject of health care costs.   He has spoken in several states and is constantly scheduling other events concerning this very timely and controversial subject.   He has been the key note speaker on the platform with CEO's from several major carriers.

Mr. Shupe is also very involved in his church and is a past Moderator of the Nashville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.   He is an active elder at his church and retired Minister of Music, serving in that position for thirty years.   He is a graduate of Belmont University, the father of two children, and the husband of Valerie Shupe for the past thirty six years.

Background Reference:

Mr. Shupe is a hard-working and knowledgeable health care expert.  His level head and even delivery is appreciated when a health committee, for example, is making changes in the midst of heated and opposing views.  To better deliver and finance health care, he draws from a lifetime of experience and study to recommend both in-the-box improvements and out-of-the-box innovations.

Ernest Clevenger, President, Care Here – On-Site Employer Medical Clinics, Past Chairman and President of SIIA – Self Insurance Institute of America, and Past President of American Progressive Life Insurance Company.

Bob is able to communicate his ideas effectively and respond to questions quickly, and I have seen him do this in the course of my lobby work for TnAHU at legislative committee meetings.  He can defend his position well and make people see his point.  Above all, I believe that what Bob has to say is a highly salable commodity because everyone is concerned about the high cost of health insurance.

W. Davidson Broemel, Attorney, Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC, Mr. Broemel is lobbyist for several state and national health organizations and is respected by many on the Tennessee State capital, including the Governor and the Insurance Commissioner.

Approximately 18 years ago, I hired Bob Shupe to help me manage Clark Container’s insurance and employee benefits needs.   I was immediately impressed with Bob’s knowledge and dedication to his clients.   Saving money is important to me, however through the years what has impressed me more is his compassion when working with people.   Many times Bob has stood before Clark’s employees and explained changes in health insurance that was affecting their lives, sometimes adversely.   Bob has the ability to communicate with people on their level.   I have yet to see a person better at communicating complex issues and solutions to people who have little or no understanding of the issues at hand.   I believe Bob Shupe is a one of a kind in his field.   He brings knowledge, compassion, loyalty, and integrity to his “people” at a level rarely seen in today’s world.

Larry Chilton, founder and CEO of Clark Container, Inc, a manufacturer and national distributor of flexible packaging.

Bob is relentless in his efforts to obtain credible data to solve problems, especially in the Life and Health field.  In his consulting work with Public Entities, I have seen him under fire in open meetings making recommendations after carefully analyzing raw data as the basis for his conclusions.  He takes control.  I have never witnessed a challenge to his opinions.  The reason is quite simple. He is prepared. He uses his technical skills to analyze data; then makes his recommendations with his gift of communication and no one has a basis for disagreeing.   He is a credit to our industry.  When he speaks, people listen.  As it turns out, it’s for the greater good.

James W. Dunn, Pres. DUNN INSURANCE, INC.  Mr. Dunn received a Certificate of Property, Casualty, Life & Health Insurance from Illinois Institute of Technology, a graduate of American Institute of Insurance & Public Relations, Tennessee State Territorial manager for American Fire & Casualty Insurance Company, opened DUNN INSURANCE, INC. in 1984, past president of the Insurors of Clarksville, and member on the Insurors of Tennessee since 1962.  

Mr. Shupe has served as Rutherford County’s insurance consultant for many years and we have relied heavily on his knowledge and professionalism.  In the course of my close association with him, I have come to admire in him the qualities of frankness, absolute honesty, outstanding communication skills, and sound judgment.  He is extremely knowledgeable about health care and its associated cost problems.  He has appeared before the County Commission on numerous occasions to advise them about health care and related issues and has always handled himself in a very professional manner.

Nancy R. Allen, County Mayor, Rutherford County, Tennessee, in her third term spanning twelve years in one of the fastest growing counties in America.