LAKE CHARLES, LA, June 17, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Stephen K. Lyons, CIC, CPIA, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Currently serving as chief executive officer and principal owner of Great Southern Companies, LLC (doing business as Great Southern Financial Benefits & Great Southern Risk Management, Mr. Lyons has led a distinguished career of more than four decades in the financial services and risk management field. In his leadership capacity since 2023, he has utilized his longstanding expertise in property & casualty insurance risk management, safety audits and coverage reviews to aid both large corporations and public entities.

Prior to assuming his role at Great Southern Companies, Mr. Lyons excelled as the managing partner, senior account executive and commercial account specialist at Lyons Insurance, Inc. in Lake Charles, Louisiana, from 1983 to 2023. Throughout his four-decade tenure, he was pivotal in the agency's long-term growth and reputation for excellence; notably, he led his independent agency through the unprecedented challenges posed by Hurricanes Rita and Gustav in 2005 and Laura and Delta, both Category 5 storms that struck Lake Charles just 45 days apart in 2020. Under his guidance, the agency provided critical support to over 1800 clients in need during a period when the National Weather Service identified Lake Charles, LA. as the most disaster-prone city in the United States for 2020.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Lyons gained valuable leadership experience as the director of marketing and product development at Louisiana Life Insurance Company from 1981 to 1985, during which he contributed to innovative product strategies and market expansion initiatives.

Alongside his primary roles, Mr. Lyons' professional affiliations reflect his steadfast dedication to industry advancement and community engagement. He has been an active member of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Alliance since 1997, the Lake Charles Retriever Club since 1998 and the West Calcasieu Association of Commerce since 1996. Additionally, he maintains memberships with the American Insurance Marketing and Sales Society, Professional Insurance Agents of America and the Independent Insurance Agents Associations.

During the early stages of his career, Mr. Lyons pursued higher education and earned a Bachelor of Science in finance and economics from McNeese State University in 1983. Dedicated to the ideals of continuous growth, he was certified in insurance and risk management by Louisiana State University E.J. Ourso College of Business that same year. Also certified as both a professional insurance agent and insurance counselor, he continues to shape his analytical approach to risk assessment and client advisory services continuously taking current classes in order to maintain the designations.

Reflecting on his storied journey to date, Mr. Lyons attributes his sustained success to unwavering dedication and commitment to both his work and employees. He emphasizes perseverance through daily challenges while balancing compassion with resilience — a philosophy that has guided him through periods of adversity and achievement alike.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Mr. Lyons is also known for his civic-minded contributions. He has served on the board of directors for the Rotary Club of Sulphur as secretary and treasurer and member since 1985, contributed as a past board member on the finance committee for Henning Memorial United Methodist Church, and supported charitable causes such as the American Cancer Society, The United Way and the Boy Scouts of America through philanthropic donations.

Mr. Lyons' outstanding contributions over the years have seen him recognized with accolades including being named Insurance Person of the Year, a reflection of his impact on both industry standards and community welfare.

Happily married and the proud father of two grown daughters, Mr. Lyons enjoys hunting, fishing, watching college sports and traveling as a balance to his professional responsibilities. Looking toward the future, he aims to continue expanding Great Southern Companies into a profitable enterprise and hopes to identify a successor who can carry on the company's legacy of excellence throughout the Sulphur community and beyond.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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