Our Fayetteville NC Insurance Agents and Staff

Bryan Miranda

Insurance Agent, Bryan Miranda

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

In 2008 Miranda Insurance Group merged with another Fayetteville insurance agency, Vanstory-Exum (owned by Ron Darden) to form a new independent insurance agency– 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 was the Chairman Elect of the YMCA Board of Directors. He has also 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 Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina. Bryan is currently pursuing his CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation.

Ron Darden

Insurance Agent, 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 an insurance agency with Allstate Insurance in 1989. Ron sold the Allstate Agency in 1998 to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of an independent insurance agent. Ron then joined the Vanstory-Exum Agency, Inc as a producer and acquired 50% interest in the Fayetteville NC insurance agency in 2001 and the remaining 50% 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.

Heather Basdekis - CISR

Manager of Agency Operations

Heather joined our agency in 2007 and is the Agency's Manager of Operations. 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.

Caroline Thompson

Customer Service Representative - Personal Lines

Caroline joined Darden Miranda Insurance in 2008 as a Customer Service Representative in personal lines. Caroline has been licensed in Property and Casualty for three years, and she is currently pursuing her CISR designation. Prior to joining the agency Caroline worked in the food service industry and for the US Postal Service. Caroline's responsibilities include servicing clients with last names beginning with letters A-L.         

Amanda Ray

Customer Service Representative - Personal Lines

Amanda came to the agency in 2010 as our Marketing Representative and now serves as a Customer Service Represenetative for personal lines.  Amanda has been licensed in Property & Casualty as well as Life & Health since 2005.   As a military spouse, Amanda understands the demands of a hectic military lifestyle.  She comes to the agency with prior experience from other Independent Insurance Agents, as well as experience from direct insurance companies. She is currently pursuing her CISR designation, and her current responsibilities include sevicing client with last names beginning with letters M - Z.

Amy McBride-Frobish - CISR/CBIA

Customer Service Representation - Commercial Lines

Amy joined the agency in 2011 as a customer service representative in our commerical lines department. Amy has been licensed in property & casualty insurance since 2006. She holds her CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative) Designation & her CBIA (Certified Builders Insurance Agent) designation representing her commitment to insurance education and excellence. She is also pursuing her CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation. Amy comes to the agency with a wealth of experience in the independent insurance industry.