Garland Cole - Partner

Garland Cole built the foundation for the customer-centric values that Ashley Cole Benefits is known for today. With over 25 years in benefits planning and management, Garland is equally cited for her detailed knowledge as her engaging personality. She began her career in human resources before becoming a successful agent for New York Life in 1978. Prior to opening her own benefits agency, Garland held several corporate executive marketing positions. As a National Marketing Director, she trained agents across the country on the finer points of design, implementation and communication of employee benefits.  Garland is also the Endorsed Local Provider for Investments and Long Term Care for Dave Ramsey.

Numerous civic, professional and non-profit organizations benefit from Garland’s support of the community. She is an active board member with the Texas Reach Out Ministries and the Metropolitan Breakfast Club.  She is also a member of the Texas Women’s Chamber of Commerce and serves with Champions for Life Prison Ministry, headquartered in Dallas TX.

Garland is the mother of Leigh Ashley, her business partner, and a son, Scott Shearer, who works in the healthcare industry. 

Leigh Ashley - Partner

A former educator, business owner and corporate executive, Leigh Ashley brings her clients a unique range of experience, combined with personal qualities of sincerity, compassion and diligence.

Leigh founded several small companies, including a professional maid service and an IT consulting firm, after obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She broadened her business expertise by working in the sales division of a multi-national computer manufacturing company and serving the international corporate membership of an IT Training Association.  Her tenure as Program Manager was the bridge from Fortune 500s to her career in education.

As a dedicated teacher, Leigh inspired confidence and knowledge in her students.  Today she uses the same passion for education to act as a true client advocate, marrying sensible solutions with financial protection.

Leigh loves to read, travel, and is an avid runner. With a strong spiritual and family commitment, Leigh enjoys spending time with her husband Mark and their two sons.

BJ Bludau - Account Manager

Elizabeth (BJ) Bludau is the friendly voice most encounter when contacting Ashley Cole Benefits. BJ consults regularly with individuals, families and business executives from a variety of industries to help create solutions to clients’ health insurance concerns. Prior to her current position as an Account Manager, she invested nearly 20 years as an R.N. at Austin and Houston hospitals, including MD Anderson. BJ went on to utilize her health care knowledge in medical device sales and sales management from 1989 – 2004. More recently, she served as VP of Community Development for the Coastal Bend Blood Center in Corpus Christi and as a business consultant.

Born in Hallettsville, Texas, she grew up as “Betty Jean” until a speedy surgeon in the Emergency Room nicknamed her “BJ”. It stuck. Now even her parents, 12 brothers and sisters, and many nieces and nephews call her BJ.
 
Dedicated to her family and community, BJ has served on the boards of Austin Junior Forum, the Caswell House, the Metropolitan Breakfast Club, and as a student mentor in her church. She enjoys cooking, gardening, and music, but most of all, she enjoys people.  Needless to say, BJ is a tremendous asset to our clients and this agency.