W. Scott Ragland
Owner/Partner
W. Scott Ragland joined Ragland Strother & Lafitte upon graduating from the University of Texas in 1978. He has earned his CPCU, CIC and AAI professional designations in insurance. He has served as president of both the Independent Insurance Agents of Dallas and Texas. He has been an active member of numerous organizations including the City of University Park, Goodwill Industries of Dallas, president of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas in 2009 and as president of the Dallas Country Club in 2019. His deep insurance expertise and in-depth business and civic involvement provide Scott with the ability to provide wise counsel on insurance matters to both individuals and the professional community. Scott and his wife Terry have two children, Matt and Kate as well as two grandchildren, Ellie Lynn and Walt.
D. Gregg Lafitte
Owner/Partner
D. Gregg Lafitte was the owner of Cornerstone Insurance from 1987 until 1995 at which time he merged with Ragland Insurance to form Ragland Strother & Lafitte. Prior to becoming an insurance professional, Gregg spent ten years in the building materials business after graduating from Highland Park High School and then the University of Texas in 1978. Gregg’s hands-on business experience coupled with his extensive insurance expertise allows him to help business professionals mitigate risk and protect their investments. Gregg has been an active member of several organizations including the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, Dallas Hunt & Fish Club, Park Cities Presbyterian Church, the Independent Insurance Agents Of Dallas/Texas and the Dallas Country Club. Gregg is past President of the Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association and is an avid competitive horseman. He is married to Jahn York Lafitte and has two married children, Michelle Owen and Steve and Ryan Lafitte and Lauren.
Surry Shaffer (1951-2019)
Partner
Surry Shaffer has been in the insurance business for all his professional life. His main area of expertise is within the entertainment industry where Surry is one of the foremost insurance experts with respect to Film, Television and Corporate Production. He also has significant credentials within the health industry where He has worked with numerous hospitals, long-term assisted care facilities and on-site health care providers. In addition, Surry has a broad range of business clients including numerous furniture retailers, wholesalers, and importers. Surry is a licensed Risk Manager with several professional designations including Certified Risk Manager (CRM), Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC). Surry, a native Dallasite, is a graduate of the University of Texas in Arlington and lives in Dallas. Surry is also a licensed pilot and is involved with Angel Flight and Challenge Air for Kids.
Janie Ussery
Administrative Manager
Janie Ussery, a native Texas, was born in Amarillo. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas and attended Richland Junior College. Janie has over 40 years insurance industry expertise in Personal and Commercial lines. She has been with Ragland Strother & Lafitte since 1994 operating as the Administrative Manager since 1998. She has received numerous professional designations including Commercial Lines ACSR, CISR and General Lines License P&C (State of Texas). Janie has served as President, VP and Treasurer of the Red River Users Group. In addition, she has served as the committee chair for the National Education Committee for NetVU, whose members number in the thousands. She has also served on the Board of Directors for NetVU. She has a husband Richard, and two children, Robert and Caitlin, who both became insurance professionals. Janie enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with her family as well as volunteering for dog rescue groups.
Ryan Lafitte
Producer
Ryan Lafitte is Ragland Strother & Lafitte’s newest producer. Prior to joining RSL, Ryan worked in the commercial real estate industry as a tenant rep broker with Colliers International as well as a commercial general contractor at Structure Tone Southwest. His past business experience has given him a broad network and knowledge that will lead to a focus on mitigating risk for all types of commercial and personal clients.
Ryan is a graduate of Highland Park High School & The University of Mississippi. He was recently married to his wife, Lauren who works as a full-time fitness personal trainer. He is passionate about being a volunteer, having worked with Buckner Charities; Habitat for Humanity; North Texas Food Bank and Make-a-Wish. His hobbies include golf, hunting, and Ole Miss football.