Leadership Team

Here at UTG, we are dedicated to providing customer service that is second to none. We display this commitment each and every day through the actions of our qualified staff.

Read the full message from the President

  • Jesse T. Correll

    Chairman

    Jess Correll is the Chairman of UTG, Inc.  As Chairman, Mr. Correll defines goals and objectives for UTG and its subsidiary companies, builds relationships with key partners, and works with other members of the executive team to invest and grow the company.  He also serves as Chairman of First Southern Bancorp.

  • Douglas P. Ditto

    Vice President

    Doug Ditto has been Vice President of UTG, Inc. since June 2009. His previous roles with the company include Chief Investment Officer (2009 – 2012) and Assistant Vice President (2003 – 2009). He is an original member of the First Southern Bancorp Board, and has served many years as a part of the bank’s executive management team. He currently serves as the bank’s Senior Vice President and Central Lending Group Manager.

  • Theodore C. Miller

    Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Ted Miller manages all financial operations for UTG and its subsidiary companies, including financial reporting, investment accounting, and treasury. He has been a part of UTG’s and Universal Guaranty Life Insurance Company’s leadership team since 1997. In March of 2016, Ted joined First Southern Bancorp and First Southern National Bank as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary.

  • Julie A. Abel

    Vice President & Treasurer

    Julie Abel assists in the management of UTG, Inc. and its subsidiary companies’ financial operations, including financial reporting, investment accounting, and treasury. Mrs. Abel joined UTG, Inc. in 2012 and has over 10 years of experience in the life insurance industry. She previously worked as an auditor for Brown Smith Wallace.

  • Jacob J. Andrew

    Vice President & Chief Investment Officer

    Jake Andrew serves as Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of UTG, Inc. He is involved in the management and reporting of the investment portfolios of UTG and its family of companies with particular emphasis in fixed income and equity components.  Jake joined UTG in 2007 with a background in accounting and finance.

  • Michael K. Borden

    Vice President & COO

    Mike Borden is the Vice President of UTG, Inc. and the Chief Operating Officer of our life insurance company, Universal Guaranty Life Insurance Company.  Mr. Borden has over 30 years’ experience in the life insurance industry as well as having spent 10 years as the president of a small broker-dealer (Roosevelt Equity Corporation).  His experience includes managing most significant areas of insurance companies and extensive experience with system upgrades and conversions.

  • D. Shay Pendygraft

    Vice President/Real Estate

    Shay Pendygraft is a commercial lender and special assets manager for UTG, Inc. and First Southern Bancorp. He has been involved in the banking industry since 1997, working for various community banks and as an auditor for Bankers Service Corporation. Mr. Pendygraft has been with UTG/FSB since 2005 and currently manages a commercial loan portfolio and other real estate holdings located throughout the southeastern part of the country.

  • Casey J. Willis

    Vice President/Real Estate

    Casey Willis works with UTG’s real estate and timberland division.  His primary responsibilities include the acquisition, disposition and due diligence of timberland properties across the southeast. Other properties managed by Mr. Willis include mineral rich tracts in Eastern Kentucky, and scenic lake fronts in Tennessee. He has been with UTG since 2011.

  • Denise N. Henderson

    Insurance Operations Manager

    Denise Henderson is the Insurance Operations Manager of UTG, Inc. Denise joined the company in 2018 with over 20 years of experience in customer service, with 10 being in sales.

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