Meet the Payton & Associates Team
Payton Arant
Payton was born and raised in Bristol, TN. A 2001 graduate of Belmont University with a Bachelor of Science in Broadcasting and Communication, Payton worked for NASCAR where she enjoyed traveling frequently. This experience aided in creating Payton to become an excellent communicator and someone who loves to meet new people. In 2009, Payton chose to focus her passion for helping others by providing them with reliable service though individual insurance plans and Medicare services. Payton is an experienced professional who takes pleasure in helping guide her clients through the insurance process from start to finish. She specializes in Medicare, ACA Healthcare plans, Life Insurance and Final Expense products. Payton enjoys building relationships with her clients and remains dedicated to providing excellent customer service. Payton is a member of the HOPE Calloway board for 2+ years, has non-profit ambitions with the creation of “The Art Wall” at our office, and a member at Journey Church. Payton and her husband Josh have 3 boys. Time spent outdoors on the farm is important to Payton and her family. Payton, Josh and the boys have lots of animals and critters to take care of on the farm and they also enjoy raising farm fresh products and gardening.
Dan Hughes
Dan Hughes, Independent Broker, is a proud husband and father of four beautiful and smart daughters, with his fifth on the way. His family enjoys spending time on the lake, hiking, and slowly building their homestead. Dan is originally from Phoenix moving to Murray with his mom in 1994 graduating from Murray High School in 2002 and then from Murray State with a degree in Organizational Communication.
Dan comes to us with a specialization in Medicare, focusing on Supplement and Advantage plans to help community members get coverage that works for them. Dan believes in personalizing each person’s coverage. Teaching and building lasting relationships is not only a fundamental part of being an agent, but are necessary steps to keep our community happy, healthy and wealthy with insurance protection. Dan has been working in the insurance industry since 2020, when he decided to make a career change. Following this path has allowed him to create and continue to build a positive impact in our community. Dan is licensed in 13 states, so we are excited to expand our horizons outside state lines when needed.
Blair Lencki
Blair Lencki is our Client Service Specialist, Marketing Specialist {and soon to be Insurance Agent}! Blair is a self-proclaimed “army brat,” growing up with both parents serving for the United States Army. She graduated from Murray State University in 2004 with a degree in Public Relations.
She has lived in Murray with her husband Russell and two daughters, Finley and Violet, for the past thirteen years. When her two daughters aren’t keeping her busy with sports, you can find her coaching track and field at Calloway Middle, camping and canoeing with her family, serving on the local MCCSA board, and you’ve probably seen her running the loop while training for one of her many races that helps raise money for St. Jude.
Blair has a passion for helping people and a vibrant attitude. Her family-focused, client centered personality is a perfect fit for our insurance family. Blair is excited for the opportunity to be a part of a new organization that is trending, growing, and setting a new standard in the insurance field.
Megan Ware Carter
A graduate of Murray State University with a degree in Sociology and Nonprofit Leadership, Megan Ware Carter first came to Murray when she was 15 years old with her family. After graduating from Calloway County High School, her desire to serve her community led her to pursue her Non-Profit degree. After graduating college, she dedicated a year to volunteer work with the AmeriCorps mentoring under-served and at-risk youth in Louisville, KY. Life then led her to Asheville, North Carolina where her love for the outdoors, gardening and beekeeping blossomed.
Megan eventually returned to Murray, with her husband Austin and their two children. Megan and her family spend their time outdoors gardening, visiting the lake and enjoying the Murray State Arboretum. You might know Megan from her Little Free Library located in her front yard. She started the library in early 2020 after seeing the idea in a neighborhood while living in North Carolina. She believes reading is for everyone and enjoys the positive feedback from visitors to the library.
Megan earned her insurance license in 2016 and has served the needs of our community since by taking a considerate and understanding approach when it comes to meeting a client’s needs. Megan is exceptional at listening while being apt at breaking down the sometimes complicated world of insurance. She strives to educate clients so they know what they need and what they’re getting.
Megan is thrilled to join the Payton and Associates team to lend her skills to a forward-thinking and growing business.
Sydney Reid
Say hello to Payton & Associates Intern Sydney Reid!
Sydney is a Murray Native and Senior at Murray State, attending Murray High School, previously. She loves Murray so much she decided to stick around to attend to MSU. Sydney is an undergraduate student majoring in Public and Community Health with a concentration in Healthcare Administration. With this degree, she hopes to impact and assist our community members with their healthcare needs. She is involved in Greek Life, Student Government Association, Honor Society, and clubs within her major.