EntrepreneurJohnny is a Board Member and Managing Partner at Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance, a Higginbotham Partner. They are the 15th largest insurance broker in the US.
In 2005, Johnny founded cityCURRENT Memphis and founded cityCURRENT Nashville in 2018. cityCURRENT, powered by Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance + Higginbotham, is a privately-funded catalyst for the Mid-South, Middle Tennessee, and beyond. A team of more than 100 partner companies, including some of the largest employers in the world to mid-size and small businesses, have joined forces and funds to host over 300 events each year, along with an array of positive-oriented media and philanthropic initiatives to enrich, engage, and impact the community.
In 2009, Johnny and Memphis Mayor, A.C. Wharton, founded Innovate Memphis, a non-profit organization funded with both private and local government funds, whose function is to tackle local government challenges and create solutions which will improve government efficiency, reduce costs, and help citizens.
In 2017, Johnny founded Discipling Memphis Men, an organization dedicated to discipling a diverse group of men to live like Jesus and then equipping them to do the same with others.
In 2019, Johnny and his son Rob founded Pitts West Investments a company which develops and owns real estate properties in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.
Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Johnny attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 1973, graduated high school from Memphis University School in 1976 and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science degree in Risk Management in 1980.
From 1980 to 1981, he was employed with Safeco as well as Cigna insurance companies in Nashville. From 1982 to 1988, he was an insurance producer for Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance.
In 1989, he became a partner at Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance, and in 1992, Johnny and Mat bought Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance from their fathers. Johnny has since earned his Certified Insurance Counselor designation.
Johnny serves on the boards of Youth Villages, the Boy Scouts (current chair) and the Independent Insurance Agencies of America large agency committee.
Recently, Johnny served as chairman of Youth Villages, chairman of the Council of Insurance Agencies and Brokers, Scoutmaster of Troop 55, chairman of the Greenwich Group, chairman of the Insurors of Memphis, chairman of the Memphis/Shelby County Insurance Advisory Committee, chairman of the Greater Memphis Insurance Council, chairman of Innovate Memphis, board member of Assurex Global, board member of the Business Emergency Preparedness Council and board member of the Brooks Museum.
Johnny is a member of the President’s Club at the University of Tennessee, and his hobbies include fishing, hunting, competitive running/triathlons and golf.
Johnny and his wife, Kim, have been married since 1984 and have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. Kim is a sustainer in the Junior League of Memphis and Past President of Le Bonheur Club. She was also the West Tennessee appointed representative to Governor Haslam’s Tennessee Executive Residence Foundation Board and currently serves on the West Clinic Foundation Board. They are both active in the Memphis community, Carnival Memphis and other non-profit organizations. Johnny also served as King of Carnival in 2004 and President in 2009. They are members of Independent Presbyterian Church.
National Insurance Broker providing Property & Casualty and Employee Benefits Insurance.
1954
When I compare economies around the world, America is the undisputed leader in capitalism, job creation, innovation, and many other areas. The core reason being that America is full of entrepreneurs. We take risks beyond what is normal to achieve rewards beyond what we dream.
In today’s business world our city, state, and federal governments must provide business friendly environments from a political, economic and tax environment to unleash the power of the entrepreneurial risk so we all can enjoy the rewards of our dreams.
