CIWA Honors Wells for His Role in Industry

Insurance Journal publisher Mark Wells recently was awarded the California Wholesalers Insurance Association (CIWA) industry award that is given on an annual basis to highlight an individual that plays a very constructive role in the business.

“In discussing the situation, we felt that Mark really embodies the ideals that we like to foster in this business,” CIWA president Manfred Mundelius said. “He’s very much involved in the industry and through the Insurance Journal, he informs, challenges and examines the various aspects of our business very constructively.”

A USC graduate, Wells worked part-time at Insurance Journal while going to graduate school. He dropped grad studies when he received a draft notice and enrolled in the Army Reserves, being released in 1968.

Wells worked as an advertising salesman for Western Financial Journal prior to beginning a full-time career at Insurance Journal that has spanned more than three decades.

Following the passing of his father in 1970, Wells took over running Insurance Journal with his mother, Marjorie. He was appointed president and associate publisher in the fall of that year.

Wells began Insurance Journal Texas/South Central in 1995, and last year purchased the Claims Guides.

“Mark Wells is one of the most forward thinking and creative individuals I’ve ever had the privilege to work with,” Insurance Journal vice-president/sales and marketing Mitch Dunford said. “He is always pushing the envelope of creativity. Sometimes we feel like we have to tie him to his chair so we can keep up. Over the past 30 years he has built one of the finest regional insurance publications I know of not to mention what he has been able to do with Insurance Journal Online in recent years. All of us at Wells Publishing are honored with the recognition CIWA has given Mark.”

As Mundelius added, “We all felt Mark was an excellent candidate for this award because he plays such a constructive role in the business. He’s a real friend to all of us in the insurance business, from the independent agents and brokers, to the people in the surplus lines industry, to the wholesale insurance community.”

Wells received the award Jan. 10 during CIWA’s Eighth Annual Wholesaler Industry Day dinner.