TIMELINE
of Hilton Head Insurance & Brokerage
Graham Hedden, the grandfather of Jeff Hedden, was a car salesman in Waterford, Connecticut. Known as “Grump,” Graham began selling both cars and insurance. For each vehicle he sold, he also sold the accompanying car insurance, which marked the establishment of the Hedden Insurance Agency.
Richard Hedden, Jeff Hedden’s father, joined the Hedden Insurance Agency after completing his college education. Over time, Richard assumed control of the agency from his father, Graham.
Jeff Hedden began working part-time at the Hedden Insurance Agency during high school to earn class credit.
After graduating from high school, Jeff Hedden started working full-time at the agency and gradually assumed leadership from his father, Richard Hedden.
Jeff Hedden sold the Hedden Insurance Agency after 65 years of continuous operation at its original office established by Graham in 1945. Following the sale, Jeff relocated to Hilton Head, South Carolina.
After a brief hiatus from the insurance industry, Jeff and his wife, Nicole, began discussing the possibility of starting a new insurance agency in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
On the birthday of Graham “Grump” Hedden, Jeff and Nicole Hedden officially opened Hilton Head Insurance & Brokerage, initially operating from a spare bedroom in their home.
Jeff Hedden met Gary Davis, a Lowcountry native and veteran of the real estate industry, at a local business networking group. At the time, Gary was handling large commercial lines of insurance for a local agency. Within six months, Jeff and Gary partnered to open their first official office in Moss Creek.
Hilton Head Insurance & Brokerage hired its first employee.
With the business quickly outgrowing its Moss Creek office, Hilton Head Insurance & Brokerage opened a new office on Hilton Head, located in the Village of Wexford.
Hilton Head Insurance & Brokerage expanded further by opening a second office in Bluffton.
Hilton Head Insurance & Brokerage expanded into the Charleston market, hiring its first employee located in Charleston.
To accommodate the growing staff, the Hilton Head Insurance & Brokerage relocated its Bluffton office to Westbury Park.