ALEXANDRIA, VA, February 2, 2021—The Big “I" presented William “Bill" E. Harrison Jr., chairman of the Big “I" Reinsurance Company, with the Woodworth Memorial Award at the Big “I" virtual Board of Directors meeting on Jan. 28.
The Woodworth Memorial Award recognizes individuals who serve the insurance industry and the Big “I" with uncommon dedication. It is the association's highest honor.
“Bill has gone above and beyond in working tirelessly for his local community, state association and national association for more than 25 years in almost every capacity the organization can offer," says Jon Jensen, Big “I" chairman and president & CEO of Correll Insurance Group in Spartanburg, South Carolina. “We are proud to honor his work with the Woodworth Memorial Award."
Harrison was raised in the insurance industry, joining his father, Bill Harrison Sr., in the family agency, Coleman Company Insurance Services. After serving as both president and a member of the leadership council, he left in 2007 to start his own agency, TASA Risk Solutions in Antonio, Texas. At the state association level, Harrison has served the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas as the Budget and Finance Committee chairman, Board of Directors chairman and state national director, among other roles. In 1999, he was named Young Agent of the Year.
At the national association level, in addition to his current role as chairman of the Big “I" Reinsurance Company, Harrison has formerly served as chairman of the Finance Committee, chairman of the Professional Liability Committee, and as a member of Agency Administrative Services, Inc., the Trusted Choice® Board of Directors and the Planning Committee. He has also been InsurPac chairman for Texas.
“Bill has dedicated his career to serving the independent agent community through his work with the Big 'I' and we are truly thankful for the leadership and enthusiasm he brings to each role he's filled," says Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I" president & CEO. “His impact on the association in nearly every facet of our mission to uphold the independent agency system is remarkable."
Throughout the years, Harrison has served his community through volunteer work for Leadership San Antonio, Rotary International and Mission Road Ministries, as well as board chairman of Palmer Drug Abuse Program, deacon at Trinity Baptist Church and committee chair of the San Antonio Livestock Exposition. He was selected for San Antonio's Business Journal “40 Under 40" in 1997.
“Thank you so much for the honor and for the recognition," Harrison said during the award presentation. “If you look back at the recipients of this award in our business, they're legends, just pure legends, and I'm honored to have known them and to have a chance to work with them and learn from them over the years."
“This journey has been fun, but it hasn't been one that I've done by myself," Harrison continued, thanking his support system and mentors including his family, the TASA Risk Solutions team, IIAT staff and Big “I" staff.
Founded in 1896, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I") is the nation's oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing more than 25,000 agency locations united under the Trusted Choice® brand. Trusted Choice independent agents offer consumers all types of insurance—property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products—from a variety of insurance companies.