(ALEXANDRIA, VA – Nov. 24, 2008) — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) announced that Margarita Tapia has joined the team as Director of Public Affairs. 

“Margarita’s academic, professional, and personal experience is a huge asset to our team,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO.  “The Big “I” is proud to announce that she will lead our public relations efforts for the association, including our team on Capitol Hill, as the director of public affairs.”

Tapia served on the faculty of Lane College in Jackson, Tenn. from 2005 to 2008 and as a communication consultant before returning to the Washington, D.C. area and joining the Big “I.” Prior posts include serving as press secretary to Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) on the U. S. Senate Judiciary Committee and handling media relations for numerous political campaigns including Rep. Darrell Issa’s (R-Calif.) 1998 bid for U.S. Senate and Hatch’s 2000 presidential campaign. 

 Tapia, a native of Sacramento, Calif., holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Davis.  Her graduate degree in Journalism and Public Affairs was earned at the American University School of Communication in Washington, D.C.

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, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.

###