WASHINGTON, D.C., April 14, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (IIABA or the Big “I”) recently awarded Cloyce Anders with the Woodworth Memorial Award, the highest honor the association bestows on one of its members, during the annual Big “I” Legislative Conference.
The Woodworth Memorial Award recognizes the meritorious and outstanding contributions of an independent agent or broker to the national association, to his or her Big “I” colleagues and to the insurance industry.
“His [Cloyce’s] dedication, service and support to his association and the independent agency system are unprecedented and fully epitomize the very tenets of this prestigious award,” said Tom Minkler, Big “I” chairman in presenting the award quoting North Carolina’s executive director, Kelley Erstine. “Bottom line: He will do absolutely anything asked of him on behalf of both his national and state associations. His energy and continued support are undying!”
Anders has a long and distinguished record of service to the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (IIANC). In addition to serving as IIANC president and on various committees, he has received every agent award his state bestows including Agent of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement award, among others.
At the national level, Anders previously served on the Big “I” executive committee and as president of the association. He was a leader in the Big “I” E&O program, serving as chairman of the Professional Liability Committee, and was the original architect of the Big “I” Reinsurance Corporation that is in place today. Anders was also one of the primary founders of InsurBanc, and served on the Peyton Street Holding Company Board overseeing the bank.
“Cloyce continues to be active in legislative advocacy and has attended all but one Big ‘I’ Legislative Conference in the last 25 years,” continued Minkler. “This level of dedication to our industry is truly remarkable and worthy of recognition.”
Anders has testified before Congress and state legislatures numerous times on behalf of the Big “I”, and has contributed more money to InsurPac, the association’s political action committee, than any other agent in history.
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.
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, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com. ###