Executive Vice President of Commercial Insurance


Experience in Commercial Insurance & Risk Advisory Leadership


Jay Paul is Executive Vice President of Commercial Insurance at Spherient Advisors, serving middle and large market businesses throughout the Southeast with structured risk advisory and insurance program design.


He brings more than 35 years of experience in the insurance industry, having served as an Account Executive, Risk Advisor, and Agency Principal. His work focuses on helping organizations evaluate risk exposure, structure insurance programs, and align coverage with long-term operational and financial objectives.


Jay began his career in 1988 with DeJarnette & Paul, where he built his foundation in commercial insurance and advanced to principal at the agency. Following the firm’s acquisition by BB&T Insurance, he spent an additional 13 years as an Account Executive and Team Sales Leader, advising clients and leading high-performing teams.


Throughout his career, Jay has remained actively involved in the industry, serving on numerous local and national committees. In 2012, he was recognized as National Insurance Innovator of the Year by National Underwriter Magazine.


In addition to his advisory work, Jay is a co-founder of Buddy Technology, Inc., a company focused on developing digital platforms for the distribution of specialized insurance products for carriers and program managers.


This experience provides Jay with a broad perspective across underwriting, distribution, and advisory—strengthening his ability to guide businesses through complex insurance and risk management decisions.


Education & Background


Jay is a graduate of Elon University and holds a master’s degree in Public Policy from Virginia Tech.


For questions or to start a conversation, you can reach Jay directly:


Email: jpaul@spherient.com

LinkedIn: Jay Paul

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“My goal is to help businesses approach commercial insurance with clarity and focus—ensuring their coverage is aligned with real risk, not assumptions. Through structured program design, careful evaluation, and strategic market engagement, I aim to turn insurance from a reactive purchase into a long-term, intentional part of business planning.”

- Jay Paul
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 Commercial Insurance Advisory Focusry Focus

At Spherient Advisors, Jay works with businesses seeking structured commercial insurance strategy, risk clarity, and long-term program alignment. His experience supports:

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Commercial insurance program design and structuring
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Risk assessment and exposure analysis
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Carrier negotiation and market strategy
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Claims advocacy and coverage alignment
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Long-term risk management planning

His approach emphasizes disciplined evaluation of risk, alignment between coverage and operations, and advisory support that extends beyond policy placement.

Experienced Commercial Insurance Leadership

Commercial insurance decisions directly impact an organization’s financial stability, operational continuity, and long-term growth.


Jay advises businesses that require structured risk evaluation, thoughtful coverage design, and experienced guidance shaped by decades of industry leadership.


His focus remains consistent: helping organizations understand their risk, structure their coverage intentionally, and maintain alignment between insurance strategy and business objectives.



For organizations seeking experienced commercial insurance advisory leadership, he welcomes the opportunity to engage.