New IBA West Officers Take Helm at 2002 Installation

New IBA West Officers and Regional Directors stepped forward to guide the association in the next year during the 2002 Installation of Officers and Annual Meeting held at the Hyatt Regency in Los Angeles.

“With industry complications stemming from last year’s terrorist attacks and changing political landscape in California, the new officers have a critical role to play in 2002,” said outgoing President Donald Way. “Recent market challenges make the role of our association even more important. I am confident the men and women stepping forward today are ready and able to take the steps necessary to overcome any obstacles and meet the challenges of the New Year.”

The 2002 Officers are:

Joseph Hernandez Jr., ARM, AAI, President Hernandez is vice president of Hamman, Miller, Beauchamp, Deeble in Long Beach. He has served on the IBA West Board of Directors since 1998 and is Past President of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Long Beach. Hernandez has also served as a chairman and member of the IBA West Urban Opportunities Committee.

Neal Nakashima, President Elect Nakashima is executive vice president of Aon Risk Services in Honolulu. He has served as president, president elect and secretary-treasurer of HIIA and, served as secretary-treasurer of IBA West in 2001 and has served on the IBA West Board of Directors since 1998.

Andrew Valdivia, CPCU, ARM, Secretary-Treasurer Valdavia is vice president, White & Co., Insurance Inc., Santa Monica. He is Past President of IIAB of Los Angeles and IIA of Santa Monica.

Gerald H. Miller, CIC, IIAA Director Miller is President of Miller-Robertson Insurance services, Inc., with offices in Novato and Ventura. He served as secretary-treasurer, vice-president, president-elect and president of IBA West. He chaired the IIAA Personal Lines Committee, was a member of IIAA’s Technical Conference Committee and currently serves as a member of the IIAA Communications Committee/Branding Task Force.

The 2002 IBA West Board of Directors includes: Megan G. Colwell, vice president, Woodruff Sawyer & Co., San Francisco; Stanley S. Simpson, Chairman, Buckman-Mitchell Insurance, Visalia, Calif.; James Wells, senior vice president and regional managing director, Acordia Inc., San Francisco; Paul Bystrowski, president and CEO; John O. Bronson Company in Sacramento; Javier F. Rodriguez, owner, Rodriguez Insurance Agency in South Gate; John P. Barrett, ARM, managing director and client executive practice leader, Marsh Inc. in Los Angeles; Bradley Wilson, president, Wilson Insurance Agency in Chula Vista, Calif.; Jeff Newman, CPCU, principal of Gelfand Newman Wasserman in Los Angeles; Pamela Sullivan, CPCU, JD, senior vice president and property & casualty claims manager, Sullivan & Curtis Insurance, Seattle; Peter Cazzolla, president and CEO of California Insurance Group in Monterey.