ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 3, 2015 — Randy Lanoix was installed  today as the new chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”), with Spencer Houldin as chairman-elect, Vaughn Graham as vice chairman and Bob Fee as an at-large executive committee member. The new officers begin their terms at the conclusion of the board meeting held in conjunction with the Big “I” Fall Leadership Conference this weekend in New Orleans.

 

“The Big ‘I’ is honored that such a distinguished group of professionals will be the association’s leaders,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “Randy Lanoix, Spencer Houldin, Vaughn Graham and Bob Fee, along with the rest of the executive committee and officers, are an outstanding and experienced team of industry leaders who position us well for a productive year.”

 

Randy Lanoix is president of Lanoix Insurance Agency in Lutcher and Brusly, Louisiana. Lanoix has been active in the independent agency system, serving as president of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Louisiana (IIABL) in 2001 and as the Louisiana representative on the Big “I” national board of directors from January 2005 to September 2010. He is a recipient of the Lou Daniel award, which is the highest honor bestowed by the IIABL. Lanoix is also a past recipient of the “Mr. Chairman” award for his work as Louisiana’s legislative chairman and his work with the Louisiana state legislature. On the national level, Lanoix has served on the Professional Liability Committee, the Trusted Choice® board of directors, numerous task forces and two terms on the Government Affairs Committee, where he was chairman of state government affairs. He and his wife Nell have two grown sons who work in the family agency.

 

Spencer M. Houldin is president of Ericson Insurance Advisors, a second generation, insurance agency with offices in Litchfield County, Connecticut and New York City. From 2008 - 2011, Houldin served as chairman of the Big “I” Government Affairs Committee and testified before numerous Congressional committees on behalf of the association. He has also represented the state of Connecticut on the IIABA Board from 2006 to 2011. In 2004, Houldin served as president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut. He has held seats on agent advisory councils for several insurance companies. Houldin is also active in his local community, serving on the executive committee of Western Connecticut Health Network, a multi-hospital organization. He is also past president of the local rotary. Houldin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lafayette College. He resides in Roxbury, Connecticut with his wife, Carol, and two children.

 

Vaughn Graham is president of Rich & Cartmill, Inc. headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is a past chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma and has served on the Big “I” national board of directors. Graham was recognized in 2012 with IIAO’s highest honor, The Eagle of Excellence Award. At the national association level, Graham has chaired the Membership Services board, served on the Big “I” Advantage board, was a trustee on the InsurPac Board and was a member of the Agents & Brokers Roundtable. Graham remains active in his community with charitable and civic organizations. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma with his wife, Candace. They have two children, Hayden and Vaughn, Jr.

 

Robert “Bob” T. Fee is president and COO of Fee Insurance Group in Hutchinson, Kansas. Fee currently serves on the board of directors for the Kansas Association of Insurance Agents (KAIA) and has represented Kansas on the national board of directors since 2013. He has also served on several KAIA committees including the Government Affairs Committee and was the 2007-2008 KAIA president. At the national association level, Fee has served on the Government Affairs Committee since 2013. He has also served on the Trusted Choice board of directors from 2008-2012, including serving as chair of the board from 2009 -2011. Fee is active in his community with numerous charitable and civic organizations. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas and the USF&G School of Insurance in Baltimore, Maryland. Fee and his wife, Annie, have four children and reside in Hutchinson.

 

The 2014-2015 Big “I” chairman, David Walker, CIC, AAI, LIC, ARM, who will serve on the executive committee as immediate past chair for one year, is president of Hartland Insurance Agency in Hartland, Michigan.

 

 

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