Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer to Address Big “I”

WASHINGTON, D.C.––The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) announced that Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Missouri) will address the association’s Large Agent/Broker and CEO dinner on April 14 during the Big “I” Legislative Conference.

 “The Big ‘I’ is proud to announce that Rep. Luetkemeyer will be addressing our annual gathering of top agents and brokers, and leadership and industry executives,” says Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I” president and CEO. “As a former insurance agent who is now chairman of the powerful House Financial Services Committee Housing and Insurance Subcommittee, Rep. Luetkemeyer has a unique perspective and impact on the issues that directly affect our members and their clients. We are honored that he will be joining us April 14.”

 The Large Agent/Broker and CEO dinner is sponsored by the Big “I” Agents and Brokers Roundtable, a group which advises the Big “I” board of directors on important topics impacting larger agencies. The group has recently worked on issues such as agent licensing reform, terrorism risk insurance, Affordable Care Act implementation, and industry workforce recruitment. Large agents and brokers from around the country, as well as regional and national carrier CEOs, will be in attendance.

Rep. Luetkemeyer has served as a leader on extension of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) program and passage and implementation of the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act (NARAB II). He will also play a critical role in the future of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Rep. Luetkemeyer and House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) are currently conducting a review of the NFIP with the expectation that they will propose major changes prior to the Sept. 30, 2017 expiration of the program.

“As a former agent, Subcommittee Chairman Luetkemeyer has a strong understanding of the insurance market and the critical role that independent agents play,” says Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of external and government affairs. “The Big ‘I’ has a long history of working closely with him on key issues that directly impact agents, brokers and insurance consumers. We are grateful to Rep. Luetkemeyer for his hard work as an advocate for small business and the independent agency system.”

Rep. Luetkemeyer represents Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District and is a well-known rising star in the Republican Party known for his commitment to small business issues. He serves on the House Financial Services Committee and the House Small Business Committee. The fourth generation native of St. Elizabeth, Missouri, operates a 160-acre farm in his district and had a long and distinguished career as a farmer, small businessperson (including having worked as an insurance agent) and Missouri public servant prior to being elected to Congress in 2008. Rep. Luetkemeyer earned a bachelor degree in political science with a minor in business administration from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri.

The Big “I” Legislative Conference is the insurance industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 13-15 at the Renaissance Washington, D.C., Downtown Hotel.

The legislative conference is an opportunity for Big “I” members to discuss important issues with their congressional representatives. Top issues this year include the National Flood Insurance Program, Federal Crop Insurance Program, insurance regulatory reform, healthcare and other economic challenges facing independent insurance agents and their clients.

Other highlights of the Big “I” Legislative Conference include in-depth issues briefing sessions, appearances by numerous high-profile speakers to discuss important insurance and national issues, and hundreds of meetings on Capitol Hill between Big “I” agents and brokers and their elected representatives in Congress.