Bryan Miranda

After seven years of business management in wireless telecommunications in both Virginia and South Carolina Bryan returned to his hometown of Fayetteville to begin his insurance career in 2003 by opening Miranda Insurance Group in Hope Mills, NC.

In 2007 Miranda Insurance Group merged with the Vanstory-Exum Agency (owned by Ron Darden) to form a new entity – Darden, Miranda & Associates Insurance.

A native of Cumberland County Bryan is a graduate of Fayetteville State University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. Bryan has served as on the Board of Directors for the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce and currently is the Chairman Elect of the YMCA Board of Directors. He also has held offices of President, Vice-President, and Educational Coordinator for Business Network International. Bryan is a member of the local chapter of Mortgage Bankers of America, Education Committee member for the Fayetteville Association of Realtors and a member the Home Builders Association. Bryan teaches the Homeowner’s Insurance Basics course for new realtors through the Fayetteville Association of Realtors. Bryan has served as the Agent Advisory Council Representative for Eastern North Carolina for Erie Insurance and is active in the Young Agents division of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina.

Ron Darden

After a 13 year career in LTL trucking and living in 3 states, Ron returned to his hometown of Fayetteville, NC and started and insurance agency with Allstate Insurance in 1989. Ron sold the Allstate Agency in 1998 in order to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of becoming and independent agent. Ron joined the Vanstory-Exum Agency, Inc as a producer and bought 50% interest in the agency in 2001. He bought the remaining stock in the agency in 2007. In 2008 Vanstory-Exum Agency, Inc. merged with Miranda Insurance Group, Inc (owned by Bryan Miranda) and the combined agency relocated to its’ present location at 3007 Ft. Bragg Rd. The agency now operates as Darden, Miranda & Associates Insurance.

Ron grew up in Linden (northern Cumberland County) and graduated from Pine Forest High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Relations in 1974 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ron has served on the local board of directors of The Educational Foundation (UNC-CH), The Fayetteville Urban Ministry and the Restore Warehouse. He has been a deacon and two-time elder at First Presbyterian Church. Ron has a real estate broker’s license and is a member of the Fayetteville Association of Realtors and the Home Builders Association of Fayetteville, Inc.  Ron is an active member of the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club and a 30 year member of the Rams Club (UNC-CH). He has served as an assistant basketball coach at Pine Forest High School for three years and the last four years at Terry Sanford High School.

Betty Franklin CISR

Betty joined the agency in 2007 and is the Office Manager. Betty is licensed in Property and Casualty Insurance. Betty came to the agency from Neff Rental where she served as the Administrator and has a background in Outside Sales. Betty is an active member in the Fayetteville 1 Chapter of Business Network International. Betty holds her CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative) Designation representing her commitment to insurance education and excellence.

Rita Edelman CISR

Rita joined the agency in 1986 and is a Customer Service Representative working with our commercial insurance client base. Rita is licensed in Property and Casualty and holds her CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative) Designation representing her commitment to insurance education and excellence. She is also pursuing her AAI designation (Accredited Adviser in Insurance).Rita serves as the President of the Beth Israel Sisterhood.

Heather Basdekis CISR

Heather joined the agency in 2007 and is a Customer Service Representative working with our personal lines insurance client base. Heather has been licensed in Property and Casualty as well as Life and Health for seven years. She holds her CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative) Designation representing her commitment to insurance education and excellence. She is also pursuing her AAI designation (Accredited Adviser in Insurance). Heather came to the agency after prior experience with AAA Insurance and North Carolina Farm Bureau. Heather’s current responsibilities include servicing those clients who last names begin with letters A-L.

Maggie Goetting

Maggie joined the agency in 2009 and is a Customer Service Representative working with our commercial insurance client base. Maggie is licensed in Property & Casualty as well as Life & Health insurance. Maggie joined the agency with 9 years prior insurance experience including working as a commercial specialist with an agency in New Hampshire since 2004. Prior to insurance Maggie worked in the Human services field. She is currently pursuing her CISR designation.

Caroline Thompson

Caroline joined the agency in 2008 as a Customer Service Representative in personal lines and currently serves the agency as a Cross Sale Agent. Caroline has been licensed in Property and Casualty for two years and is currently pursuing her CISR designation. Prior to joining the agency Caroline worked in the food service industry and for the US Postal Service.