Billie received the 30-year service award at the 2018 Adjuster School

When Lead Claims Processing Auditor Billie Nutt started her crop insurance career in 1988, she couldn’t have imagined the impact she would make on ProAg. Over her 37 years at ProAg, she’s earned a reputation as a dedicated professional, knowledgeable claims processor and caring teammate. We’re looking back over her decades of service to highlight one of the best before she retires later this summer.

Starting a career in crop insurance

In April 1988, Billie heard from a friend that a local crop insurance company was looking for help. Help Desk Specialist Angela Champion, who was already working at the company (which would eventually come to be known as ProAg), recommended that Billie meet with a company leader to learn more. Billie was hired on the spot, making her one of the few team members at ProAg without a formal application on file.

Billie and Angela started working closely, inputting MPCI policy data into a shared IBM computer and playing practical jokes. Soon, Billie became interested in the claims side of the business. At the time, just one person paid the claims for the entire company. After Billie asked to learn more, the role transferred to her. And she’s been a leader on our claims team ever since.

“We knew that Billie could run the claims processing team and processes from the very beginning,” Angela said.

Growing as a professional

She didn’t stay a one-person claims department for too long. The company added more adjusters and staff to keep up with demand, and Billie remained a leader in the department. Her experience and knowledge have made her a valuable resource for her teammates. From one-on-one support to presenting at adjusters’ schools, she’s always been happy to share what she knows.

Billie treats people like she makes her coffee. She’s never bitter, just the right amount of sweet, offers a fresh perspective, and can give you either a regular-sized or a 20-ounce stainless steel cup of wisdom.
Roxy Williams ProAg IT Service Operations Supervisor

She’s so well-known for helping that people joke about calling 1-800-BILLIE for support. Combined with her warm personality and quick sense of humor, it’s easy to see how she’s built such strong relationships over the years.

Finding purpose at ProAg

Few people have stayed with one company as long as Billie has, but few people have her passion. She speaks openly about how much she’s enjoyed her work, overcoming challenges, and pushing new systems and processes forward with her team. But it’s the people she’s worked with — and for — that have made her time at ProAg truly special.

Billie recounted fond memories of her teammates, including those she worked with daily in the Amarillo office, as well as those located across the country. One of her favorites was the 2023 ProAg All-Employee Gathering held in Omaha, Nebraska. During those three days, she connected with teammates she’d see only a few times (and celebrated a birthday). The most memorable part of the meeting was the ProAg Cares bike-building event for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands.

“The look on those kids’ faces brought tears to my eyes. It touched my heart. ProAg is that kind of company, always giving to communities in our areas,” Billie said.

Billie’s teammates were quick to share their memories from over the years. Area Claims Supervisor Nored Lane remembered Billie’s approach to feedback during the claims process, calling it the “best well-respected yet very polite rear-end chewing” he and his fellow adjusters ever had. Even so, anyone who’s met Billie knows she was just looking out for the team and policyholders.

“Billie is ProAg’s biggest cheerleader. She always has a positive attitude and loves building relationships with everyone she meets. She genuinely cares about everyone,” said Claims Processing Manager Diane Fishburn. “Billie has taught me a lot of things about crop insurance, but the things I have learned the most from Billie are about just being a good person.”

Throughout her career in crop insurance, Billie developed a deep connection with American agriculture — making her proud to offer support and guidance during the stress of a claim.

“[Protecting farmers and ranchers] means a lot to me,” Billie said. “I believe crop insurance protects them from the risks of farming and I think we need that. They need that cushion. They need that umbrella of protection.”

Looking toward the future

As Billie prepared to spend more time with friends and family in retirement, she left a word of advice for current and future ProAg teammates.

“Crop insurance is an ever-changing world, so hang in there and don’t get discouraged. Learn all you can and stay with ProAg,” she said. “There’s always going to be change. Well, ProAg says bring it on, and we find ways to adjust to that.”

Please join us in thanking Billie for her 37 years of dedicated service. Her positive attitude and incredible knowledge will be missed each day!