PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
THE EDUCATION ADVANTAGE In this month’s magazine, we highlight the impressive story of Amber Patterson, a recipient of IA&B’s CISR scholarship – who then proceeded to complete that designation in six months. Talk about a go-getter. Coincidentally, I recently visited The National Alliance in Austin, Texas. The National Alliance is the provider of the CISR and CIC designations, and has long been a close partner of IA&B. The National Alliance has undergone change recently, including a new management team. They are embracing technology and promoting youth in the industry – two core initiatives of IA&B as well. We look forward to working with them in these key areas. Together we look to find, and train, more young agents like Amber. But back to insurance designations – I’m always asked by members whether it’s worth it. It’s a significant investment of time, and the common question of agents is whether a designation will result in more premium. I look at education, and designations, differently. In what has become an incredibly competitive marketplace, education can become the differentiator. The agent that takes good quality, relevant continuing education can gain a leg up. Maybe it results in additional premium; maybe it doesn’t. But a higher level of insurance knowledge allows you to better protect your customer, and the agent who can do that will ultimately succeed. And just as important as earning more premium – it is a proven fact that agents with an insurance designation have significantly less E&O claims than their counterparts. In a marketplace where direct and captive writers continue to attempt to take market share from independent agents, IA&B members should look for every advantage they can get. Education and insurance designations are exactly that.
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IA&B BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Richard M. Rankin, CIC, Chair Lancaster, PA D. Bradley Rosenkilde Jr., Vice Chair Hunt Valley, MD
MEMBERS Gregory H. Bennett
Bel Air, MD
Sarah M. Brown, CIC, CRM, AFIS Shrewsbury, PA Andrew Enders, Esq.
Harrisburg, PA
Len Gieseler, LUTCF
Pottstown, PA
Lisa A. Leach Goth, CIC
New Bethlehem, PA
Christopher J. Miller, CIC
Jonestown, PA
Michael A. Papa, CIC, MBA
Hunt Valley, MD
William H. Purdy
Sunbury, PA
Kent Reynolds, CIC
Hagerstown, MD
Jason Rodriguez
Wilmington, DE
Donna Roper
York, PA
Candace Shoupe, AAI, AIC
New Castle, DE
Tara S. Silfies, CPCU
Bethlehem, PA
Robert L. Smyrl Jr., CIC
Hatfield, PA
Michael Thomas
Gambrills, MD
Sheila Wells, CIC, CISR
Rehoboth Beach, DE
J. Marshall Wolff, CIC, CPCU Easton, PA
NATIONAL DIRECTORS
Best,
Michael P. Ertel Sr. (PIA) Columbia, MD
Jason F. Ernest President & CEO
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INSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS 650 Wilson Lane, Suite 200 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
JUNE 2022
G. Greg Gunn, CIC (IIABA) Lemoyne, PA Diane Hornung Hanby (IIABA) Wilmington, DE
