Name: Carey Stephens
Family: Wife Stacy, sons Bo(12) and Hank(11)
Hometown: Athens, GA
Current Town: Athens, GA
What Years at UGA: 1992-1996
Profession: Independent Insurance Agent with Boswell Insurance Group
Accolades: Voted Spirit of “92 at Clarke Central High School; Young Agents Chairman for the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia 2010; Athens Little League President 2018
What life lessons did you learn while at UGA?
Learning to multi task in college was a challenge for me but a great life lesson. However, the most valuable thing about an education from the University of Georgia is the connections you make with people from all over Georgia and really all over the country. In college you don’t know that call that networking but you learn quickly in the business world that those relationships formed in college are what make the difference in your success.
What professor did you most admire (and why)?
Dr. Jerold Hale; Department Head, Speech Communications. During my Senior year at Georgia, I coached his son in youth football at the YMCA. Dr. Hale and I bonded over that season and he pushed me daily to do my best in the classroom as I pushed his son to be the best football player he could be. Although I did not pursue a career in that field, I learned so much for Dr. Hale that is applicable in my professional life today.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My wonderful family.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Cobern Kelley, Athens YMCA legend. I never had the privledge to meet him but he was very instrumental in the raising of my father as well as many Athens boys. My father instilled in me the values Kelly taught these young boys and I have continued to instill these same values in my boys.
Who are your heroes in real life?
I have always loved the great Erk Russell, the best motivator and coach of all. Being raised in Athens in the 80’s, there was no one that I looked up to more in my youth. Also Charlie “Chili” Horton – he can hang with anyone!
Quote to live by: GATA:
Get After that A–!
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Sailing on a catamaran in the British Virgin Islands with friends and a PainKiller. If I can’t be there, then sitting on the beach at St. Simons Island is not a bad second!
What is your most marked characteristic?
Loyalty – I hope that I am loyal to the many people who have helped me in my professional and personal life.
What do you most value in your friends?
Humor is key! I don’t have time for people who take themselves too seriously.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To have hair.
Who are your favorite writers (and why)?
I would have to go with Thomas Carlyle. His greatest accomplishment was the writing of the masterpiece Sartor Resartus, which I am proud to have read to completion. Also Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal is a great read.
Fave social media and who to follow (and why)?
Facebook – I enjoy keeping up with friends that way. I enjoy following anything and everything connected to Georgia football and Little League Baseball including, but not limited to Bulldawg Illustrated, Georgia Bulldogs on 247 Sports, UGA DawgNation and 960 The Ref.
