Steve Cole

As Branch Manager at Higginbotham, Steve Cole oversees the Lakeland office and its daily operations, serving as both the commercial service team leader and commercial marketing/placement manager. He joined the firm in 2023 after its partnership with his former agency, Stahl & Associates.

Steve believes that strong client service is built on trust, responsiveness and consistency. His approach is to stay proactive, communicate clearly and focus on protecting the client’s long-term interests, not just the renewal directly in front of him. He creates structure, market alignment and consistency throughout the carrier placement and service process, prioritizing carrier relationships and operational discipline to help ensure clients receive a more organized and responsive experience.

An Upstate New York native, Steve became a licensed insurance agent in 2015 after settling in Lakeland, Florida, where he had relocated following a career as a PGA Golf Professional working at several courses throughout Central Florida.

Steve holds an Associate of Science in Sports Management from SUNY Cobleskill, where he was a member of the golf team, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics from SUNY Oneonta.

He met his wife, Brittany, in 2009, and they have been married since 2014. They have a son, Tim, and a dog, Archie. Outside of work, Steve still enjoys playing competitive amateur golf and spending time coaching and supporting Tim in his favorite sport, basketball.