ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 28, 2011 — Thomas J. Minkler, CIC, was installed as vice chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) at the association’s recent Leadership Conference in Minneapolis, Minn.
Minkler is president of the Clark-Mortenson Agency in Keene, N.H.
“Tom has long been a national voice for independent insurance agents and the consumers they serve,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “Tom’s testimony before Congress on a number of issues and his commitment to the independent agency system have been a huge asset to the Big ‘I’ and the industry. We are proud to a have him continue to serve in the association’s leadership as vice-chairman.”
As president of the Clark-Mortenson Agency, Inc., Minkler is responsible for the overall operation of three divisions (personal lines, commercial lines and financial services) in eight office locations with 60 employees in New Hampshire and Vermont. Additionally, Minkler oversees all activity associated with mergers and acquisitions, carrier relations and sales. He has more than 30 years experience in the insurance industry and holds the designation of Certified Insurance Counselor.
Minkler is a past chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of New Hampshire, past New Hampshire director on the Big “I” Board of Directors and past president of the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents.
At the national association level, Minkler has chaired the Consumer Agent Portal (CAP) project since 2009 and is a past chairman of the Big “I” Government Affairs Committee. He served on various other Big “I” committees including the Professional Liability Committee, the Agents Advocacy Fund, the Agency Administrative Services Committee, the Additional Markets Subcommittee and the Captive Study Committee. He is a frequent speaker for the insurance industry and has testified before the U.S Congress on behalf of the Big “I” on a variety of topics. In 2007, Minkler received the IIABA Government Affairs’ highest award, The Sydney O. Smith National Legislative Award, and in both 2006 and 2010, he was recognized for his outstanding service to the insurance industry with an IIABA Chairman’s Citation.
Minkler is active in his community and serves on numerous charitable organizations and civic boards. He resides in Keene, N.H. and he and his wife Heather have four grown children.
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.
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