When he was inaugurated as the 101st president of theIndependent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America last September,William G. Stiglitz III said the best side of the insuranceindustry would be displayed in its handling of Hurricane Katrinaclaims. Midway through his term, he says he is proud of theperformance under fire by his fellow producers.

As he prepares to preside over the IIABA's 2006 NationalLegislative Conference and Convention, April 24-29 in Washington,the account executive with the firm of Hyland, Block & HylandInc., in Louisville, Ky., said that despite disputes over floodcoverage, he believes independent agents and brokers in thehurricane-ravaged South have validated their customer's faith inthem.

“They did an incredible job as local businessmen andpsychologists,” said Mr. Stiglitz. “There was a lot that came upthat no one ever expected to happen and a lot that no one wasprepared for. We all lived and learned and moved ahead.”