Danny Hayes Announces Retirement, Ryan Stice Set To Take Ownership Of Hayes Insurance Agency

Ownership Officially Changes Hands On April 1, 2018

Darren Doyle, story:
Longtime local resident and insurance businessman Danny Hayes has announced his plans to retire from Hayes Insurance Agency, a family owned business for over 30 years, as he hands over the reins to another familiar face, Ryan Stice.

Hayes started the agency in Brownsville in 1985 with his father and mother, Charles and Marilyn Hayes. While his parents retired in the early 2000s, Danny and his wife Pat, who is a retired Edmonson County educator, continued the business and watched it grow into two other locations in Elizabethtown and Bowling Green.

Stice has managed the E-town branch for Hayes since 2013 and will officially take charge of the business on April 1, 2018. Since that day is Easter Sunday, Ryan will officially be in the office on the following Monday morning, April 2nd. Both men said the timing was right for the change to take place and they both spoke to the Edmonson Voice about the switch. While Stice is set to take control in a few days, Danny Hayes said he still plans on hanging around, for a little while anyway.

"I am not going away," he said. "I'm still a part of Edmonson County and plan to work with Ryan for a few more months during the transition. I also hope to play more golf, spend time with family, and travel with my wife, Pat."

Left: Ryan Stice is set to take ownership of Hayes Insurance Agency from retiring Danny Hayes (right) on April 1, 2018.

Hayes said that he's confident Stice will continue the family orientation of the agency and is a great pick to head the business.

"I have known Ryan for years. He started with Hayes Insurance five years ago. His most recent position was management of our Elizabethtown location. He has been training and working hard during this time to become the primary agent." 

Hayes said what he's enjoyed the most from his work over the years are all the relationships he's developed with the people and businesses of Brownsville, Edmonson County, and surrounding counties. 

"Edmonson County has always supported Hayes Insurance and it is appreciated," he said. "I will miss working with the clients and the great staff at Hayes Insurance Agency."

Stice, who was raised in Edmonson County and graduated from ECHS, has been in the insurance business since 2007. He said he can't wait to work in Edmonson County again.

"Edmonson County is home and that's why I wanted this opportunity so bad," he said. "I'm excited and looking forward to helping my people at home."

Hayes said he feels that Stice is ready to take on the job and is happy for him as he starts this new chapter.

"Ryan will be a great agent and will continue to provide Edmonson County along with the surrounding areas with excellent service and products," he said. "I wish him many years of success as owner of Hayes Insurance Agency." ​