Our Mission

Protecting What Matters Most

We’re dedicated to making insurance simple, accessible, and tailored to your needs. Our mission is to empower individuals, families, and business owners with the right coverage, backed by exceptional service and trusted expertise.

Why Choose Catalyst Insurance Brokers?

We stand out from other insurance agencies because we prioritize:

• Independent Expertise – We work with multiple top-rated carriers to find the best coverage for you.
• Personalized Service – No one-size-fits-all solutions—just custom insurance plans designed around your needs.
• Community Commitment – A portion of our earnings supports causes that matter, especially initiatives benefiting veterans and those in need.
• Seamless Experience – We simplify the insurance process, offering clarity, guidance, and peace of mind every step of the way.

Don Malcolm

Owner/Agent

Don brings over 34 years of insurance industry expertise, with the last 20 years at Burns & Wilcox, a national broker, where he served various roles across underwriting, brokerage, marketing, strategic planning around new business development, and establishing and managing carrier and agent relationships. Don’s efforts have earned him a seat in the Burns & Wilcox Million Dollar Club for the years 2017-2021, Burns & Wilcox 2015 Director Award, in addition to numerous Burns & Wilcox Top New Business Producer Awards. If you ask him, no other award outweighs seeing the development and growth of his team members. Don is an active member of Browns Bridge Church where he spent the last 10 years volunteering. Don graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan College with a Bachelor of Science degree. 

John Patterson
Owner/Agent

John brings 34 years of insurance experience in both commercial and personal lines. Licensed in all lines of insurance. Prior experience with the following: Federated Mutual, Sydney O. Smith, and Marsh & McLennan. John has related experience in the financial services industry with Merrill Lynch. John graduated Kennesaw State University with Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. 

Carol Frederick Benda

Director of Operations

Carol Frederick Benda brings decades of insurance experience rooted in her early years at her family’s independent agency in Raleigh, NC. Starting at age 10, she gained hands-on knowledge in claims, operations, and customer service under the leadership of her father, Larry Frederick—recording artist and former UNC football athlete. Over the years, Carol has served in agency leadership, financial services, and technology, including roles at Microsoft and a major IT services integrator, always maintaining a strong connection to the insurance industry. Licensed in Life, Health, and Property & Casualty, she now joins The Catalyst Insurance to serve clients across multiple states, with a focus on benefits, annuities, and long-term care. Carol lives in Roswell, GA with her husband, Scotty, and their well-known dog, Auggie, and enjoys time with her blended family and new granddaughter.

Cindy Austin
Agency Operations Manager

Cindy is a 21 year veteran of the insurance industry, and she holds designations as a Certified Insurance Counselor and Certified Insurance Service Representative from The National Alliance. She is a creative thinker with invaluable experience concerning the daily operations of a retail insurance brokerage, including cultivating successful underwriting relationships & the design/placement of insurance programs.

John Young

IRMI Risk Management Advisor

John brings 46 years of commercial lines business focused around E&O, D&O, EPLI, Cyber Liability, Workers Comp Stop Loss, and Commercial Underwriting. John honorably served as a Special Forces Medic in the United States Army. John attended University of South Carolina prior to joining the Army and finished up with a Bachelors in Communications from Georgia State University after the Army.