New Hampshire’s Tom Minkler Honored with Woodworth Memorial Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (IIABA or the Big “I”) has awarded Tom Minkler, CIC, with the Woodworth Memorial Award, the highest honor the association bestows on one of its members, during the annual Big “I” Legislative Conference. Minkler is president of the Clark-Mortenson Agency in Keene, New Hampshire, and former Big “I” chairman.

The Woodworth Memorial Award recognizes the meritorious and outstanding contributions of an independent agent or broker to the national association, to his or her Big “I” colleagues and to the insurance industry.

“The Big ‘I’ is proud to present Tom Minkler with the Woodworth Memorial Award for his service to our industry and our association,” said Randy Lanoix, Big “I” chairman and president of Lanoix Insurance Agency in Lutcher and Brusly, Louisiana. “Tom’s dedication to the independent agency community and to his local community fully epitomizes the very principles of this prestigious award.”

Minkler is a past chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of New Hampshire (NHAIA), past New Hampshire director on the Big “I” Board of Directors and past president of the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents.

“The state of New Hampshire insurance community can never repay Tom for his lifetime of hard work and dedication to the industry,” said Will Infantine, NHAIA chairman. “His unparalleled commitment in the state and on a national level has resulted in lasting innovation and set the foundation for the next generation of insurance professionals. The award is certainly representative of New Hampshire’s appreciation for his tireless service.”

At the national association level, in addition to having served on the executive committee and rising to the rank of chairman, Minkler has championed the Consumer Agent Portal project since 2009 and is past chairman of the Big “I” Government Affairs Committee. He has also served on various other Big “I” committees including the Professional Liability Committee, the Agents Advocacy Fund, the IIAA Agency Administrative Services board of directors, and the Captive Study Committee. He is a frequent speaker for the insurance industry and has provided testimony before the U.S Congress on behalf of the Big “I” on a variety of topics. In 2007, Minkler received the highest IIABA Government Affairs award, the Sydney O. Smith National Legislative Award, and in 2006, 2010 and 2012 he was recognized for his outstanding service to the insurance industry with an IIABA Chairman’s Citation.

Minkler is active in his community and has served on numerous boards for charitable organizations and civic groups including the Keene Community Kitchen and the Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife Heather reside in Keene, N.H. and have four grown children.

The Woodworth Award was established in 1925 in memory of C.H. Woodworth of Buffalo, New York, the second president of the association. It is awarded to the Big “I” member who best demonstrates outstanding service benefiting independent insurance agents and the entire insurance industry.