J. Mark Bowery Insurance

Insurance for Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Across Tennessee and Virginia

In 1948, founder, Sam Bray, opened the doors to this family-owned and operated agency, Sam Bray Insurance Agency, in downtown Kingsport, Tennessee. Sam Bray’s granddaughter, Wendy Bowery, began working at the agency at just 13 years old, helping out after school and on weekends. In 1980, Wendy became licensed, started working full-time, and has been with the agency ever since.

In March of 1992, Mark and Wendy Bowery, both natives of Kingsport, purchased the VFIS Book of Business and built an insurance agency, J. Mark Bowery Insurance, which focuses on serving the insurance needs of volunteer fire and rescue organizations and EMS providers in Tennessee and Virginia. Mark still represents VFIS and Correll as the VFIS Regional Director for East Tennessee and Southwest and Central Virginia – the same territory that he has been so involved in over the past 36+ years.  

After more than three decades of growth, J. Mark Bowery Insurance became a division of Correll Insurance Group in January 2020. J. Mark Bowery Insurance still focuses on insurance solutions for firefighters and emergency service organizations.  

In 2022, Michelle Wheeler joined the team and opened Bowery Insurance Services to serve the community with personal and commercial lines insurance products. 

While most family-owned businesses cannot successfully transition to the second or third generation, J. Mark Bowery Insurance have defied the odds, currently operating with team members from the third and fourth generations. 

Want to learn more?

Contact J. Mark Bowery Insurance today for a complimentary assessment by calling 423.288.8347or completing the contact form below the map.