We are a family-owned independent agency rooted in Longview and committed to helping our clients protect what matters most.
Our story
Built on family. Strengthened by experience.
Cedars Insurance Group began in 2006, when Carol Norman founded the Norman Agency with a simple purpose: to care for people and help families protect what mattered most. Randy joined her in 2010, bringing decades of local experience and strong community relationships, and their son Derek followed in 2012.
As the business grew, the relationships surrounding it grew as well. Michael Hutton brought a background in small-business leadership, training, and customer service. Danny LaBiche contributed years of experience in mortgage lending and insurance, along with an understanding of the needs of homeowners, contractors, and local businesses. Peter Ouellette added a thoughtful, risk-focused perspective shaped by his career in quality control and management. Each built his own agency and client relationships before becoming part of the Cedars team.
When changes in Washington’s insurance market called for a new direction, the Norman family transitioned from the Norman Agency into Cedars Insurance Group—an independent insurance agency that brought these established agencies together under one shared identity. Cedars’ independent structure gives each agent access to more options and greater flexibility while preserving the personal relationships they have built with their clients. The name and structure may have changed, but the purpose remains the same: listen carefully, explain coverage clearly, and help people protect the life they’ve built.
Meet the team
Local people. Shared purpose.
Different strengths and perspectives, working together for every client.
Carol Norman
Founder
Carol brings 21 years of insurance experience to her work helping people protect what matters most. Her primary focus is commercial insurance, where she works closely with business owners to understand their operations, identify key risks, and build coverage around their goals. For Carol, strong insurance guidance begins with listening, and the lasting relationships she develops with clients are at the heart of her work. Carol and Randy have been married for more than 44 years. They have three married children and six grandchildren, and she especially enjoys time with family, serving in her church, and staying involved in the community.
Randy joined the insurance business in 2010 after spending more than 20 years at Longview Fibre. His years there shaped a practical appreciation for hard work, dependability, and looking out for the people around him—qualities he brings to every client relationship. Outside the office, Randy enjoys time with Carol, their children and grandchildren, serving at his local church, cheering on the Oregon Ducks, and spending time with his 1969 Chevy C10.
Derek Norman
Agent
Derek joined his parents in the insurance business in 2012. Over the years, he has built lasting relationships by taking time to understand each client’s needs and recommend coverage that fits their life. One of his favorite parts of the work is talking with clients and showing them, in plain language, how their policies protect what matters. Raised in Longview and a longtime member of the community, Derek lives here with his wife and two children. That local connection shapes the care and perspective he brings to every conversation.
Michael joined the agency in 2015 after being recruited by his aunt, Cedars founder Carol Norman. His background in small-business leadership, training, retail sales, and customer service has helped shape Cedars’ culture of attentive client care and strong service-team development. In 2022, Michael earned the Financial Services Certified Professional (FSCP) designation from The American College of Financial Services, reflecting a commitment to continued education and ethical practice. He lives in Longview with his wife and three children, and the family actively serves at Kelso Christian Assembly and throughout the community.
Danny brings nearly three decades of combined mortgage and insurance experience to his work at Cedars. During 13 years in the mortgage industry, he helped expand Life Mortgage into Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. After Carol Norman recruited him into insurance, Danny built a reputation for clear communication, thoughtful problem-solving, and dependable support for clients and contractors. Danny and his wife, Colleen, have been married for more than 36 years and have three grown sons who all live locally. His deep community ties shape a practical, relationship-focused approach to serving clients throughout the area.
Peter began his insurance career in 2021 after being recruited by longtime friends Randy and Carol Norman. Drawing on his background in quality control and management at NORPAC and Weyerhaeuser, he brings a practical appreciation for risk management, dependable protection, and the peace of mind that comes from getting the details right. Peter lives in Castle Rock with his wife, Julie, and their two dogs. His three adult children and their families remain close by throughout Cowlitz County. Through community theater, service at Father’s House Church, and the relationships he has built across the area, Peter has developed a deep appreciation for the strength of smaller communities and enjoys helping local families and businesses make confident insurance decisions.
