ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 23, 2014 —The National Young Agents Committee (YAC) of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) presented the inaugural Outstanding Young Agent of the Year award to Kelli Dean of the Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia (IIAG). Dean is vice president of Physicians Insurance Services, an Athens-based independent insurance agency specializing in medical professional liability insurance.
“We are honored to recognize Kelli Dean for her dedication,” said Quincy Branch, Big “I” national Young Agents Committee chairman and president & CEO of Branch Benefits Consultants in Las Vegas. “Kelli’s passion for the independent agency system is evident through her work with the Georgia Young Agents.”
Dean served as 2013-2014 IIAG young agents committee chair and is currently director-at-large on the state board. Under her leadership, the IIAG young agents committee encouraged monthly reoccurring contributions to InsurPac (the Big “I” political action committee) and championed InVEST (the association’s classroom to career education program for high school and college students). Additionally, the annual IIAG charity golf tournament raised $30,250 for Kids’ Chance, a charity for children that provides education scholarships to the children of Georgia workers who have been injured in work-related accidents, and the Georgia Young Agents Committee took away the highest committee honor, the Outstanding Young Agents Committee of the Year Award.
“Kelli worked tirelessly both with the YAC and the IIAG in her position on our board,” said Betsy Olson, IIAG immediate past chair and Rhodes Risk Advisors executive vice president.
“She is organized, diplomatic and an excellent motivator.”
Prior to joining the Physicians Insurance Services team, Dean worked as a healthcare risk consultant for Potter-Holden & Company and rose through the ranks at Safeco. She is a member of the Athens First United Methodist Church Finance Committee and former board member of the Athens Area Cancer Auxiliary. Dean earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Georgia.
“The young agents are our future leaders and the lifeline of the independent agency system,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “We are so proud of Kelli and our young agent committees all over the country. Their hard work and creative projects help cultivate future industry and association 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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