Iscential CEO and leadership

Ray Highsmith is a talented and seasoned executive with over 40 years of experience in corporate and entrepreneurial finance. He brings a wealth of wisdom and expertise with particular strengths in managing a budget and optimizing taxation. He is an industry leader in contract negotiations, arranging financing, and forecasting. Ray is extremely competent at managing the P&L and Balance Sheet. He truly understands how to minimize taxation and leverage finances. Today Ray serves as the Chief Financial Officer for a private risk management, insurance, and financial services firm, Iscential, (pronounced essential), which he joined in 1997 where he opened the company’s first satellite office. In addition, he is the acting CFO for five additional affiliated firms in insurance, real estate, captive insurance, farm, and ranching. During Ray’s tenure, Iscential has grown from a start up to a 100-million-dollar firm with approximately 150 associates and 25 offices. Iscential, or the Barhorst Insurance Group as it was originally named, was listed on the Inc. 5000 list from 2008 to 2011 as well as the Houston Business Journal Fast 100 from 2008 to 2010. Ray has managed Iscential’s financial CAGR over 100% during his tenure. In addition, Iscential is frequently ranked as “a best place to work” in Houston by the Houston Business Journal as well as “a best place to work” in Texas by Texas Monthly Magazine. Ray has a diverse and extensive background. He started his career at Pan American Petroleum, did a stint at General Electric, and managed the financial transition for Church’s Fried Chicken of Houston as they were acquired by Host International. He was the CFO for Morton Southwest and Great America where he gained experience in residential/commercial real estate development and residential mortgage origination. He left Great America in 1988 and bought into Lomas Construction, moving the company from a small general contractor to a regional cell phone site builder, selling his shares in 1997 to join Iscential.

Lisa Barhorst is a talented and seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in insurance agency operations, management and entrepreneurship. She brings a wealth of expertise with particular strengths in Human Resource, Department of Insurance, and Local, State and Federal Compliance. Lisa has a strong understanding of lean call center operations, E&O avoidance, and possesses a unique ability at developing and leading talent. Lisa is extremely competent at organizing and maintaining entity bylaws, resolutions, and minutes. She truly understands how to minimize the threat of losing an entities “corporate” veil to a plaintiff attorney or regulator. Current and Past Work Currently, Lisa operates a private risk management, insurance and financial services firm, Iscential, (pronounced essential), which she co-founded in 1993 with her husband, Warren Barhorst. In addition to her role at Iscential, she acts as the managing operational principal for five additional entities. She also was a co-owner and Chief Operating Officer of CMS from 2006 to 2010, an insurance aggregator that was licensed in 26 states with more than 250 licensed producing agents. Together Lisa and Warren have grown Iscential from a start up to a 100 million dollar firm with roughly 150 associates and 25 offices. Iscential, or the Barhorst Insurance Group as it was originally named, was listed on the Inc. 5000 list from 2008 to 2011 as well as the Houston Business Journal Fast 100 from 2008 to 2010. The Barhorst’s have managed Iscential’s CAGR at 120% from inception through 2020. Iscential is frequently ranked as a “best place to work” in Houston by the Houston Business Journal as well as “a best place to work” in Texas by Texas Monthly Magazine. Lisa and Warren have an endowed scholarship at Texas A&M University, funding Student Research in Service Distribution as well as a scholarship at the University of Houston for students studying entrepreneurship. Educations, Certifications, and Affiliations Lisa Barhorst attended Texas A&M University. She now holds her Group 1 Life and Health insurance license as well as her General Lines Property Casualty license.

Brad Sorensen is a Chief Implementation Officer at Iscential and is based in Columbus, Ohio. He has worked as AVP Small Business Market Manager at Nationwide Financial, AVP Life Operations at Grange Insurance, and AVP Customer Experience at Nationwide Financial. Brad attended The Ohio State University between 1985 and 1991.

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Devin has been part of the Iscential family for over 20 years. Joining the company in 1997 when it was known as the Warren E Barhorst Agency of Nationwide Insurance. A lot has changed along the way, during which, Devin has worn many hats and held several roles, his most important being his current role as Chief Sales Officer. In which, he is responsible for the overall sales and new business of Iscential which is presently comprised of over 25 locations and 50+ sales agents and producers. He has close friendships with many individuals within Iscential, some of which have become his best friends over the years. He maintains licenses for property & casualty, life and health, and securities. Devin has been happily married to his wife Jill of 15 years, and they have two wonderful sons Jake 13, and Carson 11. During his spare time, Devin enjoys watching his boys play sports, both of which play football and basketball competitively. He is an avid reader of everything from history, business, philosophy, and literature. When he has the opportunity, he loves to travel and see new places. As a huge sports fan, no matter what time of year, he is always cheering on his hometown Rockets, Astros, or Texans.

Ray Highsmith is a talented and seasoned executive with over 40 years of experience in corporate and entrepreneurial finance. He brings a wealth of wisdom and expertise with particular strengths in managing a budget and optimizing taxation. He is an industry leader in contract negotiations, arranging financing, and forecasting. Ray is extremely competent at managing the P&L and Balance Sheet. He truly understands how to minimize taxation and leverage finances. Today Ray serves as the Chief Financial Officer for a private risk management, insurance, and financial services firm, Iscential, (pronounced essential), which he joined in 1997 where he opened the company’s first satellite office. In addition, he is the acting CFO for five additional affiliated firms in insurance, real estate, captive insurance, farm, and ranching. During Ray’s tenure, Iscential has grown from a start up to a 100-million-dollar firm with approximately 150 associates and 25 offices. Iscential, or the Barhorst Insurance Group as it was originally named, was listed on the Inc. 5000 list from 2008 to 2011 as well as the Houston Business Journal Fast 100 from 2008 to 2010. Ray has managed Iscential’s financial CAGR over 100% during his tenure. In addition, Iscential is frequently ranked as “a best place to work” in Houston by the Houston Business Journal as well as “a best place to work” in Texas by Texas Monthly Magazine. Ray has a diverse and extensive background. He started his career at Pan American Petroleum, did a stint at General Electric, and managed the financial transition for Church’s Fried Chicken of Houston as they were acquired by Host International. He was the CFO for Morton Southwest and Great America where he gained experience in residential/commercial real estate development and residential mortgage origination. He left Great America in 1988 and bought into Lomas Construction, moving the company from a small general contractor to a regional cell phone site builder, selling his shares in 1997 to join Iscential.