BIG “I” HIRES KOONCE AS NEW FEDERAL LOBBYIST
Has extensive Capitol Hill, legal, private sector experience
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 10, 2006—The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) has expanded its Capitol Hill staff by hiring Thomas C. Koonce as its new assistant vice president for federal government affairs, effective July 17.
Koonce, previously the manager of government relations for Accenture LLP since May 2005, is also an attorney with extensive Capitol Hill and private sector experience. He joins two fellow assistant vice presidents, Brendan Reilly and John Prible, in the Big “I” Capitol Hill office.
Prior to working at Accenture, Koonce was legislative director for Rep. Brad Miller (D-N.C.) from 2003-05, where he oversaw Rep. Miller’s legislative agenda and served as the congressman’s top aide on House Financial Services Committee matters. Prior to that, Koonce worked on the Democratic staff of the House Judiciary Committee. It was his second stint on Capitol Hill, where he previously staffed Rep. Stephen Neal (D-N.C.).
After earning a J.D. from William & Mary School of Law in 1998, Koonce worked four years as an associate at the law firm Clifford Chance US LLP in Washington (1998-2002). He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Davidson College (N.C.) in 1993.
“We are very glad to be expanding the size and the reach of our Government Affairs team, and Tom Koonce is a great hire for us,” says Charles E. Symington Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for government affairs and federal relations. “He has great experience in two of the Congressional committees where the bulk of our issues are reviewed. His contacts, his experience and his talent will be tremendously beneficial in advancing the legislative goals of independent insurance agents and brokers in the halls of Congress.”
“The addition of Tom Koonce has considerably bolstered our already strong Capitol Hill office,” says Big “I” CEO Robert A. Rusbuldt. “With Tom joining our team, we are better positioned than ever to move the agenda of independent insurance agents and brokers in Congress. We truly have a government affairs team of highly respected and effective professionals.”
Founded in 1896, IIABA (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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