Deanne is a native of Wilkes County and has lived in Washington her entire life. After graduating from Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School as an Honor Graduate, she started and operated several successful businesses. Having an affinity for numbers and mathematics, Deanne gravitated toward the industry her father had flourished in for over fifty years…..insurance.

After acquiring the education and licensures, Deanne was offered an Office Manager/Producer position in the well-respected Griggs Ficklen Agency. Under her direction, the Agency grew and increased its’ footprint in the community to the point that Deanne was offered an opportunity to purchase the Agency. In 2004, Deanne purchased the very agency she started in and never looked back. Today, Griggs Ficklen Insurance Agency serves thousands of clients in twelve states...and have recently expanded to Athens, Georgia.

Deanne is a competitive person with an outgoing personality. She started athletics at a young age, following in the footsteps of her mother who was a semi-pro basketball star. Deanne was the first female pitcher to compete in the State Little League Championships. To this day, she is an avid golfer, tennis player, and scuba diver.

Deanne is the mother of one daughter who is aspiring to follow in her footsteps. Miranda currently resides in Athens and is gaining her education and joining her mother in the agency.

In 2009, Deanne was presented the Pioneer Award by the Washington-Wilkes Chamber of Commerce for her commitment to small business leadership with in the community.

Deanne has been a partner in a successful multi-disciplinary medical practice and fully understands the medical environment. She is partner in a large medical billing company serving clients across the United States. She is uniquely qualified to assist in insuring medical providers and facilities with their malpractice and general liability requirements as well as protecting their personal assets with the proper insurance coverages.

Deanne holds P&C, Life and Health licensures in Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Arkansas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, New York, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Colorado.