IIABNY CEO Dick Poppa Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Washington, D.C. — Richard Poppa, CAE, AAI, president and chief executive officer of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York (IIABNY), received the Jeff Yates Lifetime Achievement Award from the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA.) Poppa was honored during at ceremony at the IIABA’s Big “I” Legislative Conference at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

The Jeff Yates Award is the highest hon- or that the IIABA bestows on an individual who is not an insurance agent. It is present- ed for a lifetime of work in the independent agency system. Poppa (pronounced “Poppy”) was recognized for a body of work spanning 36 years. Presenting the award, conference chair Dave Walker noted that Poppa “is known for his ability to build consensus … In fact, many view him as the guru of association planning. It is a role he takes seriously because he cares so deeply about the future well-being of the (IIABA) and our members.”

A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Poppa has served as IIABNY’s chief staff executive officer since 1996. Prior to that, he served as senior vice-president and chief operating officer for the IIABA; exec- utive vice-president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana; administra- tive vice-president of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of California; staff member at the Insurance Institute of Indiana; and press aide to the lieutenant governor of Indiana.

Poppa holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Execu- tives, and the Accredited Advisor in Insur- ance (AAI) designation from the Insurance Institute of America. In addition to his work with IIABNY, he held a tempo- rary leadership position with Trusted- Choice.com, a Web site that helps independent insurance agencies compete in the digital age. He is active in a number of service organizations, including the Ro- tary Club and the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation.

Dick and his wife of nearly 41 years, Kim, reside in a suburb of Syracuse, New Yo r k .