Okla. Nominee Named National Outstanding CSR for 2003

Dewinda A. Ford of the Bramlett Agency Inc., in Ardmore, Okla., was named the 2003 National Outstanding CSR of the Year by the Society of Certified Insurance Service Representatives (CISR) and the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC). She was selected as the winner of this award from a field of 42 state winners.

After five finalists were chosen from this field, a blue-ribbon panel of four judges evaluated the finalists based on their individual contributions to the insurance community, and the strength of their essays written on the topic, “How CSRs Find Success Using Five Essential Service Skills.”

Dewinda Ford, a Commercial Lines Manager Customer Service Representative with 38 years of experience in the insurance profession, also serves The Bramlett Agency as vice president and office manager. She recently celebrated her 30th anniversary with the agency. Ford is very active in her community, serving on the Lone Grove City Council for six years, one year as mayor. Additionally, she volunteers in 4H, her church, March of Dimes, and the American Cancer Society. Ford is a former Ardmore Insurance Woman of the Year.

In her essay, Ford defined the five important areas of service as “making our clients feel special, creating a bond of trust, providing a certain level of service, extending product knowledge, and developing strong producer/company/co-worker relationships.”

“Ms. Ford’s love and respect for the profession came through clearly in her essay,” noted Dr. William T. Hold, president of The National Alliance. “She wrote about how much she values both the business and personal relationships she forms with her customers.”

Ford receives a cash award of $1,000, a distinctive gold and diamond lapel pin, and her name is inscribed on a sculpture on permanent display at the headquarters of The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research in Austin, Texas. A scholarship will be awarded to her employer, The Bramlett Agency Inc., for participation in any National Alliance program.

In addition to the selection of Dewinda Ford as the national award recipient, four national finalists were chosen from a particularly competitive field of applicants: Jacqueline Cameron, SWBC Insurance Services, in San Antonio, Texas; Peggy Fletcher, Charles Crane Agency, in St. Louis, Mo.; Elaine M. Slate, Holmes Murphy & Associates, in West Des Moines, Iowa; and Ann C. Tharp, Collins Insurance Agency in New Albany, Miss. They each receive a special gold and garnet lapel pin, and publicity in a national trade journal.

Topics Oklahoma