Ind. Independent Agents Present Special Awards at Annual Convention

The Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana (IIAI) recently announced special awards at a ceremony during their recent Annual Convention in November 11. Award recepients include:

Ronald Shumaker, CISR, vice president-Personal Lines of The Thompson Group in Parker City, received the 2006 IIAI Young Agent of the Year Award. (Shumaker was recepient of this award in 2005 as well.) The purpose of this award is to recognize the involvement and commitment of an IIAI member agent who qualifies as a Young Agent (under the age of 41 or who has been in the insurance business for fewer than 6 years). The recipient must also be actively involved with the Indiana YAC and its parent organization, IIAI. Numerous qualifications are considered including contribution to their agency, production, management, his or her formal and industry training, legislative activities, community involvement and contribution to IIAI and Indiana YAC events in a leadership capacity. This recipient has demonstrated excellence in his ability to work with agency management to streamline agency processes, to implement quality control measures and to play a vital role in the growth and success of his agency.

Kenan Schultheis, vice president of Schultheis Insurance Agency, Inc. in Evansville, received the 2006 IIAI Harry P. Cooper, Jr., Industry/Public Image Award of the Year. The award is presented in the name of Harry P. Cooper, Jr. who began his career with Indiana Farmers in 1936 and remained with that company until his death 55 years later. Cooper served as president from 1967 until 1989 at which time he became chairman of the Board. The award was developed to recognize someone who enhances the public image of the insurance profession through their professional activities, public image and personal integrity in their business activities and in their community. Schultheis was singled out by the judges for his strong professional and civic affiliations and commitments. He serves as a member and current board member of IIAI, a member IIAI of Evansville, and on IIAI committees, industry and company committees, and advisory councils over the past ten years that are too vast to list.

David Clay, CIC of Central Insurance Co. in Van Wert, Ohio received the 2006 IIAI Company Professional of the Year Award. This award recognizes the outstanding performance and achievements of an individual who is a professional with an Associate Member Company of the IIAI and who conducts the majority of his or her business in Indiana. The recipient of this award has demonstrated a stable, long term commitment to the insurance industry and the independent insurance agency system. Clay received high marks from the judges in the areas of professional education, professional affiliations and involvement with IIAI. In addition to service on numerous IIAI committees, conventions, golf outings and YAC activities, this recipient has served on the CIC Education Committee for 12 years. Assisting agents with the development of new products and business, niche programs, training, and development of co-op advertising programs also brought Clay high scores from the judges.

Patrick S. Conley received the 2006 IIAI Director of the Year Award. The criteria for this award is that the outstanding IIAI board member demonstrate leadership, knowledge, and insight on critical industry issues and devotes the time necessary to make a difference through their service on the board. Conley was named Director of the Year by a vote of the twenty-two IIAI directors who were all eligible to receive the award.

Marcy Crabtree of The Thompson Group received the IIAI Distinguished Customer Service Representative Award. Named in honor and memory of Ethel Heckman, IIAI’s director of Administration from 1948 to 1983, this award recognizes an agency employee whose work ethic, commitment, and professional growth advances the performance and image of an IIAI member. The judges noted in selecting Crabtree that she demonstrated commitment to education, personal goals, agency goals, scope of responsibility within the agency, and an overwhelming commitment to client services. The wide array and long-term service on her behalf have made her a unique and valued employee according to the judges’ evaluation.

The Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana is a trade association representing over 800 independent insurance agencies in the state of Indiana. The association was formed so insurance agents and insurance consumers have a unified voice in government and can share common goals and information.

Source: Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana

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