Meet Your Wilson Agency, Nature Coast Brightway Insurance Team

With more than 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, Jessica Wilson has built her career around one simple mission: helping people understand risk, protect what matters most, and navigate insurance with confidence.

Jessica’s insurance journey began in 2000 in the Tampa Bay area, where she worked alongside a local physician navigating insurance benefits. In 2003, she transitioned into the legal field as a paralegal specializing in first-party property claims, giving her an early and invaluable perspective into homeowners insurance and the claims process.

Encouraged by a mentor to pursue her adjuster’s license, Jessica joined ROL Insurance Consulting in 2005 and ultimately advanced to Claims Manager. In 2012, she joined Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance, supervising large-loss and complex homeowners claims.

Her career took another major step forward in 2014 when she joined Bankers Insurance, where she held positions of increasing responsibility before becoming Director of Underwriting, overseeing both Personal and Commercial Lines.

Committed to becoming a true student of the industry, Jessica earned her Master’s degree in Risk Management and Insurance from Florida State University in 2016, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. In 2017, she helped launch The Hearth Insurance Group’s homeowners program and served as General Manager of its Homeowners division.

Today, Jessica is the proud owner of Brightway, The Wilson Agency, a multi-unit independent insurance agency serving clients throughout Florida. After years of building a successful agency in Safety Harbor, Jessica and her team expanded to Florida’s Nature Coast, bringing the agency’s commitment to education, choice, and exceptional client service to Citrus County and the surrounding communities.

Jessica believes insurance should never be about simply finding the cheapest policy. With experience spanning claims, underwriting, carrier operations, risk management, and agency ownership, she brings a unique 360-degree perspective to helping individuals, families, and businesses make informed decisions about protecting their assets.

Beyond Insurance

After more than 30 years in North Pinellas County, Jessica and her husband, Rickey, traded suburbia for the wide-open spaces of Florida’s Nature Coast, where they live with their three children, Ethan, Landon, and Rhys—and a family of animals that seems determined to keep growing.

Their home has become a lively rescue-filled farm featuring French Bulldog rescues, including Yoshi, their fearless wheelchair warrior, along with Highland mini cows, goats, chickens, a donkey, horse, alpacas, pigs, and other four-legged personalities who have found their way into the Wilson family.

Jessica’s love for animals also inspired another important chapter: Rolling Into Hope Rescue Ranch, a nonprofit dedicated to raising funds and awareness for special-needs and at-risk animals and supporting the rescues, veterinary professionals, and rehabilitation organizations working to give them a second chance.

Community service is equally important to Jessica. She is actively involved with Rotary, Leadership Citrus, the YMCA, and Rolling Into Hope Rescue Ranch, and believes that being successful in business also means being willing to invest your time, resources, and energy back into the community you call home.

When she isn’t running two insurance agencies, working on a community project, fundraising, or tending to the farm, Jessica enjoys being on the water and embracing her lifelong love of music through the violin and cello.

Her worlds may seem wonderfully varied—insurance, entrepreneurship, community service, rescue animals, farming, family, and music—but they are connected by the same thing: a genuine passion for building something meaningful and leaving people, animals, and communities better than she found them.

And if there’s one thing Jessica has learned along the way, it’s that there is always room for one more big idea...and apparently, one more animal.

In 2014, Jessica embraced a new challenge at Bankers Insurance, assuming roles of increasing responsibility. Her journey culminated in her appointment as Director of Underwriting, where she excelled in guiding both Personal and Commercial Lines with finesse and strategic acumen.

 

Fueling her passion for continual growth, Jessica earned her Masters in Risk Management and Insurance from Florida State University in 2016, graduating with a stellar 4.0 GPA. Her thirst for innovation and leadership led her to spearhead the launch of The Hearth Insurance Group's homeowners' program in 2017, where she served as the General Manager of its Homeowners division.

 

Today, as a dedicated Brightway Agency Owner, Jessica is committed to leveraging her rich background and expertise to empower consumers with the knowledge to safeguard their assets effectively.

 

Jessica has been deeply rooted in North Pinellas County for over 30 years, but she recently embraced the wide-open spaces of the Nature Coast with her husband, Rickey, and their three amazing kids—Ethan, Landon, and Rhys. Why the move? More room for their ever-growing family of rescue animals, of course!

 

Their home is a lively (and slightly chaotic) paradise filled with six lovable French Bulldogs - Titus, Remi, Reid, Theo, Violet, and Yoshi (their fearless wheelchair warrior). Adding to the fun, there's also "Big Mac," their affectionate Staffordshire Terrier, and Georgia, their energetic German Shorthaired Pointer. And let’s not forget the mini farm! Highland Mini Cows, goats, chickens, and sheep keep things interesting and ensure there’s never a dull moment.

 

When she’s not wrangling furry (and feathered) family members, Jessica is making an impact in her community. She serves as the President of the Rotary Club of Safety Harbor Noon and is an Advisory Board Member for the Greater Palm Harbor YMCA. She’s passionate about service, giving back, and making a difference - whether it's supporting local initiatives or leading fundraising efforts.

 

Jessica is also on an exciting journey to expand Brightway, The Wilson Agency to a second location in the Nature Coast. With a heart for helping others protect what matters most, she is thrilled for the opportunity to serve even more families and businesses in the area. The future is bright, and she can't wait for what's to come!

 

For fun, you’ll find Jessica embracing her love for music, skillfully playing the violin and cello, or enjoying time on the water, soaking in the beauty of nature. Whether she's organizing community projects, tending to her farm, growing her business, or playing a beautiful melody, one thing is for sure - Jessica brings energy, passion, and heart to everything she does!

As a Registered Nurse turned Licensed 2-20 Insurance Professional, Beranda brings a unique perspective to financial protection. She has seen firsthand how unexpected events impact families — which is why she is passionate about helping clients prepare, protect, and plan ahead.

Outside of work, she’s a busy sports mom to five kids, and married to her veteran husband. She recharges at the beach whenever she can — because sunshine, salt air, fishing and family time are her favorite therapy.

Sam is a proud Citrus County native who grew up in Crystal River and is a graduate of Lecanto High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Practical Theology from Southeastern University and went on to serve in the United States Air Force Reserves.

He holds both his 2-15 and 2-20 insurance licenses and is passionate about helping clients protect what matters most.

Outside the office, Sam is a devoted husband and father of two. When he’s not assisting customers, you’ll likely find him making memories with his family at Disney or building his drone photography startup.

 

A lifelong resident of Crystal River, Laynee graduated from Crystal River High School and later pursued college before choosing to follow a passion for photography. When the pandemic shifted the world, she pivoted toward a career that offered stability, purpose, and the opportunity to serve others. Now a Licensed Insurance Advisor (Both 2-20 and 2-15), and a commissioned notary public, she is entering her fifth year in the insurance industry.

She recently purchased a home with her soon-to-be husband, Cody, and is excited to build a life together with their soon-to-be stepson, Aston. After Cody’s retirement from the Army, they returned home to put down roots and grow as a family.

An adventurer at heart, her time away from work is usually spent traveling, hiking, truck camping in her 4Runner, trail riding, paddle boarding, boating, and fishing. She has a serious love for houseplants and enjoys experiencing as much of the world as possible. While photography is now mostly a hobby, she still loves capturing landscapes during their travels, along with crafting, doodling, and creating small wood projects.