ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 6, 2016–InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, recently announced that Charles Hilson, CIC, has joined its national board as an agent member. Hilson is president of the Talent Pipeline Division of Risk Management Solutions of America, Inc. (RMSOA), in Chicago.

“InVEST is pleased to announce Charles Hilson has joined its distinguished board of directors,” says Cindy Hower, InVEST board chair and president of Kellerman Insurance, an independent agency in Holton, Kansas. “Charles brings a wealth of experience and talents to the InVEST board of directors and we look forward to continuing to work with him to improve the program.”

Hilson joined the RMSOA team in August 2016 and is responsible for strategic planning, client services, recruitment and development of millennial talent. Prior to joining RMSOA, he was the CEO of GBG Inc., an independent insurance agency with offices in three states. His industry experience also included underwriting, office management and field marketing positions with St. Paul Insurance Companies (now Travelers) as well as national program management and agency development for CNA. Hilson has served in numerous state association leadership capacities including previously serving as chairman and president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois. At the national level, he is a past member of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) Diversity Task Force and national board member of the National African American Insurance Association. Hilson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Northwestern University.

“InVEST is a vital key to the perpetuation of the independent agency system and the insurance industry as a whole,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) president & CEO. “Educators, volunteers, and independent agency and industry leaders, like Charles Hilson, are key to the success of this program as it continues to develop and expand. We applaud Charles and thank him for him commitment to this critical endeavor.”

 As a 501(c)(3) educational trust, InVEST benefits from the support of numerous insurance organizations, hundreds of agencies, brokers and volunteers. The program provides the insurance industry with motivated, talented and intelligent professionals through a support structure of state associations, board members, national staff, teachers and the many industry professionals who work in the field as classroom liaisons.

Founded in 1970 and based in Alexandria, Virginia, InVEST promotes insurance education in order to attract individuals to pursue a career in the insurance industry. Each year, the program prepares thousands of students for insurance-related careers with a hands-on curriculum taught in high schools, adult education centers and colleges. These courses provide students with a working knowledge of the basics needed to pursue careers in the insurance industry. For more information, go to www.investprogram.org.

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.

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