DONOHOE RECEIVES IIABA’S HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL HONOR
Former Minnesota president named Woodworth Memorial honoree
NEW YORK, Sept.11, 2005—Mike Donohoe today received the most distinguished honor the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) bestows upon an individual when he was presented with the Woodworth Memorial Award during the opening general session of the association’s 2005 Big “I” Convention in New York City. Donohoe is currently an owner and agent in the James R. Weir Insurance Agency in Mankato, Minn.
“Mike Donohoe has performed exceptional and meritorious service on behalf of the independent agency system,” Big “I” President Thomas Grau said. “He is a longtime champion of independent agents and brokers, and he epitomizes the volunteer spirit of all Big ‘I’ members. We are indeed fortunate to have such a selfless, tireless individual working on behalf of this association. Mike is truly one of our most respected and accomplished leaders.”
The Woodworth Award was established in 1925 in memory of C.H. Woodworth of Buffalo, N.Y., the second president of the association. It is awarded annually to the Big “I” member who best demonstrates outstanding service benefiting independent insurance agents and the entire insurance industry.
Donohoe has contributed to the independent agency system in a variety of ways, including serving the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (MIIAB) as its president and as its representative on the National Board of State Directors. He was named Minnesota ‘Young Agent of the Year’ in 1979 and 1981. Donohoe, who has been instrumental to the success of the Big “I” Virtual University, has served as the chair of the VU Oversight Task Force since 2001.
Donohoe grew up in Lake Forest, Ill., and is a graduate of St. Mary’s College, in Winona, Minn. He has been married to his wife Mary for 30 years, and they have four children: Katie, Gina, Meghan, and Patrick.
”Mike is a true leader who has gone above and beyond in answering the call of duty,” Grau said. “His selfless approach extends beyond his committee service at the national association. His dedication to Virtual University has encouraged more than 30 states to support VU’s online classes, and over 30,000 insurance professionals subscribe to the VU Point newsletter.”
The Big “I” Convention features nationally recognized speakers, such as “America’s Mayor,” Rudy Giuliani, who revitalized New York City during his tenure (1993-2001) and inspired his city—and the nation—to come together and move forward in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The convention also features insightful continuing-education workshops, numerous networking events and the largest trade show in the insurance industry.
Founded in 1896, the Big “I” is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of more than 300,000 agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life and health—as well as employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.
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