BB&T Insurance promotes local exec

BRADENTON — BB&T Insurance Services named longtime local executive John Laurie a senior vice president.

Laurie works out of the firm's downtown Bradenton office. He joined BB&T in 2006 through the acquisition of Wyman, Green & Blalock Insurance, according to a release. Laurie will oversee 26 insurance professionals in the Bradenton-Sarasota area in his new role.

A Florida native, Laurie recently served as chairman of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents, which represents more than 20,000 insurance agents.

BB&T Insurance Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Branch Banking and Trust Co., is the sixth largest insurance broker in the country. It operates more than 100 insurance agencies in 11 states, including Florida.