Meet the Team
Peter LaHatte
Peter LaHatte lives in Aiken, South Carolina, and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he received a BA degree in Marketing and Economics, and later an MBA in Finance.
Peter worked in the investment community during the tumultuous days of the inflation caused by the oil shocks of the 1970’s. Peter traded government securities and managed a portfolio of $400,000,000.00. From there he went to work for BellSouth where he managed the Bank of America National Account and then was promoted to Director of Marketing for Financial, Insurance and Professional Services.
After BellSouth Mr. LaHatte formed a consulting company that concentrated on the deregulated services in Telecom emerging from telecommunications regulatory reform. Southern Solutions created and built a local phone company and competitive access provider for the City of Marietta, Georgia, selling the operation to the City in June of 2001. After taking over the operation Mr. LaHatte and staff grew the company from $30,000.00 per month to over $460,000.00 per month in 3 years and turned over a profitable operation to the City of Marietta, Georgia.
Running a small business Peter discovered the Power of Insurance. Insurance saved an employee’s life from Cancer, insurance represented Peter in a lawsuit and took care of all financial matters, insurance took care of a workman’s compensation injury so that valuable employee could return to work without a financial setback.
15 years earlier, Peter’s father died in a car accident (1986) and luckily or rather well prepared and smart, Joe LaHatte, Senior’s life insurance policy paid triple for an accidental death so Susan LaHatte could live a long life without financial worries.
Insurance is VERY POWERFUL.
Garnering experience gained in managing money and building a competitive organization and having personal experience with the power and value of insurance, Mr. LaHatte entered the insurance world where he assists clients in managing risks, protecting assets and retiring tax free.
Mr. LaHatte is single, has two children, two grandchildren and four brothers and two sisters and is active in St. Mary’s Church in Aiken, South Carolina
Grace Brock
Operations Manager
Grace is a nature lover and proud mother of three. She is passionate about advocacy and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina Upstate in Sociology. She was raised in Georgia’s beautiful Golden Isles and loves to visit the beach with her family. An early love of culinary arts led to a career in the hospitality industry. During her tenure, she climbed the ranks from entry level to management. After more than a decade, she shifted gears to gain her insurance license in 2020, quickly becoming a savant in the field of ACA Health Insurance.
As General Manager at Southern Health and Retirement Planning, she brings a wealth of diverse personal and professional experience to the team. She enjoys finding tactical resolutions to complex cases and prides herself on her ability to connect with clients to identify and best suit their needs. She has a life-long love of learning and enjoys applying her knowledge to help those around her. She is excited to contribute to Southern Health’s mission of providing exceptional service, building lasting relationships, and educating clients to ensure their goals are met.
Kim Patterson
Director of Outreach & Benefits
Kim Patterson holds a lot of titles in her life
Wife, Mom, Nana, Dog Mom, The Insurance Lady.
Here she is in her own words:
I am a 58-year-old wife, mom, and nana. I married my best friend 13 years ago. We have a Brady bunch…6 kids between us and 9 beautiful grandkids. We love the outdoors and camping. I worked at car dealerships for a while until I saw the opportunity to attend school to become a Surgical Tech. I worked in labor and delivery for about 11 years. I love helping people. That is what I do today but in a different aspect. Today, I help people acquire affordable or even free health insurance. It makes my day when I can help someone. I’ve had many times where my client and I were sharing tears and hugs. I love life and I love people.
In her manager’s words:
Kim is your go-to girl if you want to take advantage of the Affordable Care Act. She makes sure your coverage is right, the first time. She investigates, networks, doctors, and drugs. In other words, your coverage will work for you because Kim works for you.
Jaelee Heupel
Client Experience Lead
Jae is a proud “transplant” from Oʻahu, Hawaii, who moved to Aiken, South Carolina in 2020 to be closer to her sister and help care for their father. Family is at the center of everything she does, driving her to give her best in every role. A single mother of a teenage son, she strives to model both a strong work ethic and the ability to find joy in hard work. Her professional path spans education—where she holds degrees in Elementary Education and Educational Psychology—to funeral arranging, where she discovered a gift for guiding families through life’s hardest moments.
Since settling in South Carolina, Jae has brought her dedication, compassion, and adaptability to the insurance industry, becoming an integral member of the Southern Health and Retirement Planning team. Known for her genuine connections with people, fierce advocacy, and results-driven approach, she works to ensure everyone she serves feels valued and seen. Outside of work, she is deeply committed to her family, anchored by her faith as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and focused on making a positive impact wherever she goes.
Jessica Hurley
Client Experience Lead
In 2020, she found that opportunity when she stepped into the world of insurance. Within six months, Jessica knew she had discovered her calling. Supporting individuals and families as they navigate their coverage, protect their health, and find peace of mind became more than just a job. It became her mission. Clients value her compassion, her attention to detail, and her commitment to truly listening and responding to their needs.
Outside of work, Jessica treasures time with her children. Whether they are camping, bowling, or swimming, she embraces every moment with joy and presence. In every part of life, Jessica brings care, grit, and a genuine spirit of service that continues to inspire both her clients and her team.
