ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 12, 2012 —The National Young Agents Committee (YAC) of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) presented its most prestigious annual award to the Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia, Inc. during the annual Fall Leadership Conference in Atlanta last week.
 
“The Big ‘I’ is pleased to announce that, in recognition of their outstanding efforts on behalf of the independent agency system to cultivate and inspire the next generation of industry leaders, the Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia is the 2012 Outstanding Young Agents Committee of the Year,” said Mike Donohoe, the 2011-2012 Big “I” chairman and principal of the James R. Weir Insurance Agency in Mankato, Minn.
 
The Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia, Inc. received the 2011 Outstanding Young Agents Meeting Award and has received numerous other awards in previous years.
 
“The Big ‘I’ Young Agents Committee is proud of our young agents across the country who continue to promote the independent agency system,” says Jason Cass, Big “I” National Young Agents Committee chairman and owner of JDC Insurance Group in Centralia, Ill. “The Young Agent programs continue to thrive especially in the areas of political involvement, membership development, communications, state committee project, young agent meetings and, new this year, InVEST.”
 
Seven other national awards of excellence recognizing the leadership of Young Agents committees in state associations were presented:
 
Outstanding Membership Development Award: The Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana, Inc., for excellent achievement in recruiting and maintaining young agents participation in association activities.
 
Outstanding State Committee Project: The Young Agents Council of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents, for outstanding achievement in a state committee project that benefits the community, the insurance industry and/or the independent agency system.
 
Outstanding Communications Award: The Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina for achievement in establishing and maintaining an excellent communication vehicle for the young agents in their state.
 
Outstanding Young Agents Meeting Award: The Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas for excellence in providing and promoting an annual Young Agents meeting.
 
Outstanding Political Involvement Award: The Emerging Leaders of the Insurance Brokers & Agents of the West for outstanding achievement in promoting young agent participation in the legislative process.
 
Outstanding Break Through Award: The Young Agent Committee of the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents for outstanding efforts of a committee that has not submitted for a young agents award in the last three years.
 
Outstanding InVEST Supporter Award: The Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois for outstanding achievement in promoting young agent involvement InVEST.
 
Donohoe presented the awards at the recent 2012 Young Agents Leadership Institute in Atlanta. Representatives from the award winning states participated in roundtable discussions to share their success stories with other state committee leaders. Attendees were also able to network with peers, Big “I” leaders and company representatives to develop valuable professional and personal contacts.
 
“The young agents are our lifeblood and we are so proud of all they do for the independent agency system,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “Their hard work and creative projects help cultivate future association and industry leaders.”
 
Photos of the event are available by request.
 
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 approximately a quarter of a million 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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