ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Sept. 14, 2016 —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 Council of the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents during the annual Fall Leadership Conference in Chicago.
“The Big ‘I’ is proud to announce that, in recognition of its outstanding efforts on behalf of the independent agency system to cultivate and inspire the next generation of industry leaders, the Young Agents Council of the Michigan Association of Insurance is the 2016 Outstanding Young Agents Committee of the Year,” said Randy Lanoix, the 2015-2016 Big “I” chairman and president of president of Lanoix Insurance Agency in Lutcher and Brusly, Louisiana.
The Young Agents Council of the Michigan Association of Insurance has received numerous other awards in previous years.
“The Big ‘I’ Young Agents Committee is proud of the young agents all over country who support and promote the independent agency system and young agent chapters in every state,” says Joe Hamilton, national Young Agents Committee chairman and independent insurance agent at Hal Rakowski Insurance Agency agent in Lakeside, California. “The state young agent programs are developing the next generation of insurance leaders by encouraging political involvement, association membership and participation, communication, community service, education and industry perpetuation through InVEST.”
Numerous other national awards of excellence recognizing the leadership of Young Agents committees in state associations were presented along with two individual young agent awards.
Outstanding Membership Development Award: The Young Agents Committee of Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois for excellent achievement in recruiting and maintaining young agent participation in association activities.
Outstanding State Committee Project: The Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina for outstanding achievement in a state committee project that benefits the community, the insurance industry and/or the independent agency system.
Outstanding Communication Award: The Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Rhode Island 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 Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois for excellence in providing and promoting an annual Young Agents meeting.
Outstanding Political Involvement Award: The Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia for outstanding achievement in promoting young agent participation in the legislative process.
Outstanding Break Through Award: Emerging Leaders of Insurance in Texas of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas 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 Georgia for outstanding achievement in promoting young agent involvement in the InVEST program.
Hall of Achievement Award: The Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia in recognition of a state Young Agents Committee that has earned all Outstanding Young Agent Committee of the Year Awards.
Young Agents State Liaison of the Year: This award is presented to a state liaison who has provided outstanding support and leadership to their state Young Agents program. Rachel Romines, Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois young agents liaison and digital communications and web administrator, is the 2016 recipient.
Young Agent of the Year: This award is in recognition of a young agent who provides exemplary service to their association, community and the industry. This year’s honor went to Kelly Hume, independent insurance agent at Duclos Insurance Agency in Saginaw, Michigan.
Lanoix and Jon Jensen, Big “I” executive committee member and president of Correll Insurance Group, headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina, presented the awards at the 2016 Big “I” Young Agents Leadership Institute in Chicago. Attendees of the conference participate in professional leadership, technology and sales seminars. They were also able to network with peers, Big “I” leaders and company representatives to develop valuable professional and personal contacts.
“Young agents are the lifeline of the independent agency system and they will write our next exciting chapter,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “We are so proud of our national and state young agent committees and we are looking forward to embracing their ideas, proposals and vision for the future. Their commitment, hard work and creative projects help cultivate future agency, industry and association leaders.”
Photos of the event are available by request.
Founded in 1896, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or 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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