​​WASHINGTON, D.C., April 12, 2018— Joseph Cortina has joined the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I") Capitol Hill team as director of federal government affairs. He joins the association's bipartisan lobbying team primarily as a liaison to Democrat congressional offices.

Cortina comes to the Big “I" from the office of House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland), where he was responsible for staffing Rep. Hoyer in his day to day duties managing both the House floor and vote counting operation. Prior to working for Hoyer, Cortina was a campaign staffer for former Rep. Pete Gallego (D-Texas). He earned his bachelor of arts in political science from the University of South Carolina.

“Joseph's experience working on Capitol Hill, relationships with members of Congress and their staffs and knowledge of the legislative process will serve him well in his new role," says Charles Symington, Big “I" senior vice president of external, industry & government affairs. “We welcome him to the Big 'I' government affairs team and look forward to his contributions to our advocacy efforts."

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, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products.