ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Big “I” independent insurance agent associations in 24 states were recently recognized by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or The Big “I”) with Excellence in Insurance Education (EIE) Awards at the association’s Education Convocation in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“The Big ‘I’ Excellence in Insurance Education awards honor the outstanding contributions made by Big ‘I’ state associations through extraordinary efforts in education,” says Cindy Hower, chair of The Big “I” Virtual University curriculum and research committee and president of Kellerman Insurance in Holton, Kansas. “We are greatly pleased to recognize so many state associations that have taken on the challenge of providing quality education programs to our member agents.”

The EIE awards celebrate and recognize state associations and staff who have made significant contributions to education for their members and the industry in the key areas of class offerings, continuing education (CE), professionalism, designation offerings, industry collaboration, planning goals, marketing, resources and more. Each entrant is scored based on a state’s overall educational offerings in a variety of areas and a short essay detailing its overall education programs. The 2014 EIE awards were presented as follows:

Diamond:

Florida Association of Insurance Agents
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New Jersey
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of South Carolina
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Washington
Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia
Independent Insurance Agents of Nebraska
Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina
Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia
Kansas Association of Insurance Agents
Maine Insurance Agents Association
Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents
Michigan Association of Insurance Agents
New Hampshire Association of Insurance Agents

Gold:

Alabama Independent Agents Association
Insurance Agents & Brokers of Delaware
Insurance Agents & Brokers of Pennsylvania
Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma
Independent Insurance Agents of New Mexico
Independent Insurance Agents of Wisconsin
Vermont Insurance Agents Association

Bronze:

Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Louisiana
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Oregon
Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois

“The Big ‘I’ greatly appreciates all the hard work by our state associations to develop, promote and implement education programs,” says Madelyn Flannagan, Big “I” vice president of agent development, education and research. “These continuing education programs are vital to our independent agents, brokers and the clients they serve.”

NY-YIP Elect New Officers & Directors GLENMONT, N.Y.–Officers of the New York Young Insurance Professionals were elected at its annual business meeting.

Jennifer DeCristofaro of Lancer Insurance Agency in Long Beach, N.Y. was elected president;
Jason Bartow of Eugene A. Bartow Insurance Agency in Deer Park, N.Y. was elected president-elect;
Dina Bruno of MetLife Auto & Home in Wantagh, N.Y. was elected vice president;
Tim Madden of Standard Security Life Insurance Co. was elected secretary/ treasurer;
Gino A. Orrino, CPIA, principal of Orrino Capital Services in Corona, N.Y. will serve as immediate past president.

In addition to the above, NY-YIP also elected to its board of directors: Carl Abramson of Associated Mutual Insurance Cooperative in Woodridge, N.Y.; George Hackney of Jimcor Agency in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; Janal Montagna of Maxons Restorations in New York; Thomas Nofi of Lancer Insurance Co. in Long Beach, N.Y.; and J

New York and New Jersey Amond Excellence in Insurance Education Awardees

Insurance Advocate