ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 8, 2015 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) installed Vaughn Graham, CPCU, CIC, AFSB, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the association’s vice chairman at the recent Big “I” Leadership Conference in New Orleans.
Vaughn Graham is president of Rich & Cartmill, Inc. headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“The Big ‘I’ is proud to have Vaughn Graham serve as vice chairman of its executive committee and continue his tireless work on our leadership team,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “For decades, Vaughn has selflessly served his community and clients in Oklahoma. We have much to gain from his expertise and look forward to continuing to work with him on a variety of issues that directly impact the independent agency system.”
Graham has held numerous leadership roles in the independent agent and broker community at the national, state and local levels. He is a past chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma (IIAO) and was recognized in 2012 with IIAO’s highest honor, the Eagle of Excellence Award.
At the national association level, Graham served on the national Big “I” board of directors from 2008 to 2012 and is a past chair of the IIAA Membership Services Board. He also served on the Big “I” Advantage Board, was a trustee on the InsurPac Board and was a member of the Agents & Brokers Roundtable.
“It is an honor for the Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma (IIAO) to have one of its own, Vaughn Graham, serve as vice chairman of the IIABA,” said Denise Johnson, IIAO president and chief executive officer. “Vaughn’s record of service to his clients, the insurance industry and IIAO speaks for itself. He will do an outstanding job representing, not only the interests of Oklahoma’s 500 plus independent insurance agencies but nationwide as well.”
Graham is active in his community with numerous charitable and civic organizations. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and resides in Tulsa with his wife, Candace. The Grahams have two grown children, Hayden and Vaughn, Jr., and five grandchildren.
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.