Agency Principals

Robert W. Shepard
Chairman of the Board

Bob Shepard was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley and holds a Bachelor´s degree in Business Adminstration from the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1972.

Bob is very active in the area of higher education both statewide and locally.  He was appointed by Governor George Bush to the 18 member Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in 1997, and reappointed by Governor Rick Perry in 2004 and serves as Chairman of the Board, and is Past-Chairman of the Development Board of the University of Texas at Brownsville.  Bob is also a past member of the University of Texas Pan American Business Council and served on the Board of Directors of the Valley Partnership.  He has served as a former member and Chairman of the Board of Regents Pan American University in Edinburg.  Bob also served on the Harlingen Economic Development Board from 1998 til 2004.  He served as President from 2000 to 2004

Bob participates in many business related groups, serving as a member of the Independent Agents and Brokers of America.  He was formerly a member of the Harlingen Industrial Foundation and Past Chairman of the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce. He is a past member of the Advisory Board of Tex Pool.

Bob and his wife Anne have five children between them.

Robert G. Walton
Secretary

Bob Walton began his life insurance career in 1973 with Pilot Life in Harlingen, Texas.  Two years later he joined the firm which became known as Cocozza, Shepard and Walton Insurance Agency.

Bob received his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation in 1979 and in 1982 he attained the designation of Certified Financial Planner.  His membership in life insurance organizations include the National Association of Life Underwriters, the American Society of Chartered Life Underwriters and the Institute of Certified Financial Planners.  He has received numerous insurance production and persistency awards through the years.

He and his wife, Pamela, have two sons, Rizer and Adam. 

Neal P. King
President

Neal King was raised in Mission, Texas and received his Bachelor´s degree from Trinity University in San Antonio upon graduation in 1972.

Neal´s career began with the firm formerly known as Whitsitt, Ralston & Stiff Agency, Inc. of McAllen, Texas.  He served as a partner of this agency from 1974 to 1985.  In 1976 Neal received his CIC desigation.  Whitsitt, Ralston & Stiff was sold later to Alexander & Alexander and Neal remained there until 1995, serving as the Managing Vice President of the Rio Grande Valley office.

Neal was successful in implementing and managing agency underwriting programs with Cigna Insurance Company and the Crum & Forster Commercial Insurance Group.  He was elected President of Shepard Walton King in 1995 and remains at the helm to this day.

His civic duties are numerous as community projects hold a high priority.  Neal and his wife Wileen have two sons and are members of the First Presbyterian Church of McAllen.  He has served as the Vice President of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce for many years, in addition he has served as President of the McAllen North Rotary, Co-Founder and President of the McAllen Crimestoppers Association and the Chairman of the McAllen Airport Board.