Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee Chief Executive Officer Jeff Pannell will retire effective December 31, 2025. Pannell made the announcement at the 76th Annual Agents Conference on Thursday, July 24.
Pannell’s annual address to the agents highlighted the power of prayer, God’s miracles and provision, and a focus on family. In the spring of 2025, he underwent a heart transplant and had a miraculously quick recovery. In his address to the agents, Pannell referenced a prayer that carried him through: “Dear God, I ask that you make it all happen in the most unimaginable way, so that everyone will know it’s only YOU who could’ve done it!”
Pannell referenced another miracle, and the driving motivation for his retirement announcement – the birth of his grandchild. “I made a promise to my daughter that if God blessed her with a child, I would come home as soon as possible to help her raise that child. So today, I am announcing that I will be retiring at the end of the year. It has been the highlight of my career to serve as the CEO of this company. I have enjoyed my 39-year career, but these last nine years as CEO have truly been rewarding.”
During his tenure as CEO, Pannell guided the company through its largest business transformation so far. In 2018, the company began updating its policy administration system, which would improve claims processing and operational efficiency, enhance the agent and customer experience, and enable online policy sales. “It’s hard to believe we have been working on this project for seven years. When it is fully implemented, we will have a modern platform we can utilize for a long time and something that everyone can be proud of,” Pannell said.
Pannell’s leadership has been marked by steady growth and financial strength. The company now has over 2.125 million units, maintains its position as the number one writer of individual life insurance in Tennessee and holds a surplus that remains among the strongest in the industry. Under his leadership, Farm Bureau Insurance has grown to be the financially strongest it has ever been, while navigating significant change and growth.
“Jeff Pannell has served our organization with vision and integrity,” said Tennessee Farm Bureau President Eric Mayberry. “He’s led us through challenges with clarity and purpose, always rooted in our mission to serve Tennessee families. Jeff never lost sight of who we are or who we’re here for — our members. We thank him for his many years of service and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
Pannell began his TFIC career in 1986 as an agent in Fayette County and became agency manager in Houston County in 1989. He assumed the role of regional manager in Region 2 in 1997 and was named chief marketing officer in 2012. In 2016, he was named chief executive officer.
Jeff and his wife, Deonne, have two married daughters, one grandson and another grandchild on the way.
Successor Announced
At its board retreat on July 21 and 22, the Tennessee Farm Bureau Board of Directors chose Bobby Pulley as the sixth CEO of Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee. Pulley will take on the position starting January 1, 2026.
