John McConnell

President & CEO

John is an experienced and dedicated insurance professional who has been in the industry for over 20 years. In that time, John has worked with groups and individuals across several states. John has helped numerous companies implement employee benefits packages, business continuation plans and key man policies all while building lasting relationships with Superintendents, CEO’s and staff members from various companies.

As the insurance world continues to evolve, John has carefully crafted an agency that is able to keep up with the rapid change of pace. Through John’s intentional efforts to provide service through the talented team of service professionals he has constructed, his company has seen growth year after year.

John presents the unique ability to manage multiple projects and navigate through the complex challenges that clients face.

John is a past president of Murray Life Underwriters and a member of National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

John and his wife Heather exhibit passion for their community by supporting numerous organizations, volunteering through charitable organizations and being active in the church. Along with their two children, Cora and Lyndon, the family enjoys being outdoors, all things soccer, traveling to new places and spending time with friends.

Judy Snyder 

Commercial Lines Specialist and Benefits Coordinator

Judy has been in the insurance circuit for over 30 years. Specializing in commercial lines of business and employee benefits, Judy works directly with several school districts in various counties helping to insure them with both property and liability coverage. Judy is consistently assisting employers with budget guidelines to save premium dollars while offering her clients maximum coverage benefits. Judy is reliable, resourceful and intuitive to the individual needs of her clients. Serving as specialist in her field, Judy is a highly valued employee who is an exceptional listener and a dependable agent. After receiving numerous recognitions for her specialty in client services, her passion is clear in taking care of and serving others.

Active in her church leading and serving others, she and her husband Jerry also love to enjoy the great outdoors with their grandchildren.

LaCosta Hays 

Executive Coordinator of Client and Community Relations

LaCosta joined McConnell Insurance Agency as a highly motivated Account Executive in July of 2015. Prepared to service accounts through an established portfolio, LaCosta prides herself through organizational skills designed to benefit each accounts specific need. A life-long resident of Calloway County, she is a graduate from Murray State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations and a minor in Organizational Communication. With a clear knowledge of both sales and service, she is a licensed agent available for one-to-one enrollment in addition to functioning as a direct point of contact for the agency. With over 15 years of professional experience in customer service and relationship building, she also serves as a member of the Rotary Club of Murray, Chamber of Commerce Board Member and Angel’s Attic Board Member.

LaCosta and daughter Jansyn are active members of the community and are members of The Journey Church.

Trent Garland 

Commercial Property & Casualty Administrator

Trent joined the McConnell Insurance team in 2016 after owning and operating a successful construction business for 15 years. Not only did he bring his knowledge in personal and commercial property, he also brought his excellent management skills to the agency. Trent prides himself in customer service by going above and beyond to meet the needs of his current and potential clients. His keen attention to detail and immaculate sense of approach to working with small and large businesses makes Trent a valuable asset to our agency. While working diligently within the agency he is also an active member of the Lions Club, helping to improve the vision of Murray. Trent has charitably partnered with United Way in the past donating a custom-built home designed and constructed from his business. Trent and his wife reside in Murray with their two children; in their free time they enjoy being outdoors, camping and hiking at LBL.

Lance Cherry 

Markowski Investments

Lance was born and raised in Murray, KY and graduated from Murray State University in 2000. Over the past 10 years Lance has worked in various sectors of the financial industry while helping place and manage over $500 million dollars in client assets. Throughout his career, his focus has been on helping individuals and families with their financial planning and retirement needs. As a Registered Investment Advisor, his focus as a fiduciary is on helping clients meet their goals using a holistic approach that encompasses all areas of the planning process.

Lance is an avid outdoorsman. In his free time he enjoys camping, hiking, traveling, and photography.

Austin Bolding

Bolding-McConnell Insurance and Risk Management

Austin grew up on a family farming operation in Northwest Tennessee working alongside his grandfather. After attending The University of Tennessee at Martin he went right back to his roots. Farming after college allowed Austin to gain knowledge in the day-to-day operations and management, as well as the importance of utilizing marketing and insurance. While serving a local crop insurance agency for nearly three years, he discovered farmers were in need of property and casualty, as well as life and health insurance. Fast forwarding to 2018 Austin partnered with John McConnell to form Bolding-McConnell Insurance.

Now their team insures more than just farmers, expanding into the commercial business side as well as individual insurance. Austin has serviced multiple states from South Dakota to Mississippi over his insurance career while continuing to seek out others to help with managing their risk. While the insurance world continues to evolve, Austin and John continue to look for new avenues to better serve their clients.

Austin and is wife, Mallory are actively involved in Woodland Mills First Baptist Church. They enjoy spending time on the farm with their daughter, Emma Kate.

Andrew Donohoo 

Group Benefits Consultant

Andrew was born and raised in Calvert City, KY and has lived in Murray since 2006. He began his career in insurance as a life insurance broker before joining the McConnell team in July of 2014. Andrew now leads the Group Benefits Division of the agency through group meetings and enrollments, specialized account management services, innovative sales & service strategies, and proposals. Andrew has dedicated himself to working with various types of business markets, assisting in business continuity plans across the board, including buy/sell agreements and stock redemption plans. He and his wife, Ashley, recognize the value in raising their family, Jax, Pearl, and Steel, in the Murray community. Andrew has a passion for a day spent on the golf course, and enjoys free time spent poolside with his family.

Steve Skaggs 

Vice President of Group Benefits

Steve has been with McConnell Insurance since 2007 and held the title of VP of Group Benefits since 2010. Having been self-employed for over 10 years prior to coming to work with McConnell, he found that working with employers to find cost effective benefit strategies was a natural fit since he had been an employer for many years. Steve brings a large listing of awards and recognitions to the agency for his knowledge of the products offered and his remarkable ability to engage employers and help them understand suitable benefit packages. Steve is an immense asset to the agency and continues to gain knowledge of new carriers and products offered in the insurance industry.

Steve served in the United States Army from 1987 until 1995 and attributes his motivation, dedication, and problem-solving skills to his military experience.

Steve and his wife, Nickie, have four children and two grandchildren and enjoy travelling and living in the country.

Jeannie Morgan

Account Specialist

Jeannie joined McConnell team in 2021. A native of Marshall County, she has lived in the Paducah area for the past 25years. Jeannie brings 30+ years of customer service and operation management to the team, and continues to refine her skills by building long-term relationships with clients. She is licensed in Property & Casualty, Health, Life, and is Certified with Medicare and AHIP.

Jeannie and her husband Mike have two grown children and two grandchildren. When not being active with family, they enjoy their time traveling or hiking with friends.

Tracy Cunningham

Account Specialist

Tracy joined the McConnell Insurance team in 2022, bringing to the team over 14 years of customer service experience. Born in Paris, Tennessee, she has spent time on both sides of the Tennessee-Kentucky border gaining life experiences and friends. Currently licensed in 4 lines of insurance, Tracy is passionate to get clients the coverage that they need with the service they deserve.

Tracy, her husband Justin, and daughter Kira enjoy being active in their community from local riding clubs, and rodeo organizations to Playhouse in the Park. In their free time, they enjoy spending time outdoors camping and hiking in LBL.