The Florida Association of Insurance Agents concluded its 103rd Annual Convention and Educational Symposium by handing out a host of awards and naming new board members. The FAIA Conference is the state's premier conference for agents whose four-day annual gathering featured numerous breakout sessions covering everything from increasing agents' working knowledge of new markets to the latest advancements in technology. The convention featured an exhibit hall filled with 200 companies offering numerous products for agents. The association also takes advantage of the conference to highlight some of the state's most active agents and board members.
FAIA is the oldest and largest association serving Florida's independent property and casualty agents. It represents some 1,500 businesses that employ more than 10,000 licensed producers and close to 17,000 employees.
FAIA presented Paul Senft, of the Haines City Mulling Insurance Co., with its most prestigious award at the convention. The Mitchell Stallings Memorial Award recognizes a lifetime of service and leadership in the industry and is only bestowed on the most deserving of agents. Senft is only the 16th agent to have received the award. A former director and chairman of FAIA, he has been active in his community and expanded the association's profile around the state. "Mr. Senfit's lifetime of service is truly inspiring," said FAIA President Jeff Grady. "His service to the industry and community at large is the embodiment of the integrity, character, and leadership that this award represents."
FAIA presented Gene Waddell, of the Vero Beach-based Waddell Insurance Group, with its prestigious McKay Cup, which is given annually for fundraising activities. Named after Richard S. McKay, a former FAIA president, the award recognized Waddell's role as the chairman of the FAIA PAC Task Force, which is on track to raise $1 million to support political candidates around the state. Waddell has been active in the association for more than 30 years and served as FAIA chairman in 2001. FAIA President Jeff Grady said, "Mr. Waddell's leadership and fundraising talent have contributed greatly to the strength of our organization and we're immensely grateful for all that he has done to help us meet our goal."
Carolyn Bergmann, of the Bradenton-based Wyman, Green & Blalock, was the recipient of the Irma Platt Award, which honors a lifetime achievement in client service. Bergmann is a 30-year veteran of the insurance industry and made a name for herself in a variety of capacities. Starting in the automobile industry, she moved on to be a customer service representative for both personal and commercial lines. Since then, she has become a commercial lines supervisor and manager. She was specifically honored for her service during the challenging hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005.
Cheryll Small was honored by InVest, the independent insurance agency program designed to educate and promote to high school students the career opportunities in the insurance industry. Small, a teacher at Miami Coral Park Senior High School, has taught the InVEST program for 14 years and has helped place more than 400 students on career paths, many leading to the insurance industry. Small's program operates with the support of Nestor Revero of the Tropical Insurance Agency.
FAIA Board Members
In addition to recognizing its award recipients, FAIA named three new board members and made several other appointments. The new board members include the following:
Laura Edison Cosgrove, president of the Orlando-based Edison Insurance, has been named to the board after serving as past president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Central Florida. She is currently a member of FAIA's Council and Finance Committee.
Lawrence P. Harvey, Jr., president and CEO of the Harvey Insurance Agency in Interlachen, has served in a number of capacities including FAIA's legislative council. He has also been active in his community, serving on the board of such charities as the American Cancer Society and the United Way.
Raymond W. Butler, III, president of the Miami-based Butler, Buckley, and Deets, has been an active member of FAIA and the Independent Insurance Agents of Dade County. He was also an eight-year member of the Executive Association of Greater Miami.
FAIA also named a number of new officers to fill important service positions. They include the following:
Braden Kirk Ball, Sr., senior vice president and chief operating officer of the Pensacola-based Fisher-Brown Insurance, has been selected to be FAIA's new chairman-elect. Ball has served on the FAIA board of directors and the association's finance and catastrophe committee.
William D. Gunter, Jr., chairman and CEO of the Tallahassee-based Rogers, Gunter, and Vaughn Insurance, was selected as the association's new vice-chair. Gunter, a well-known figure, served as the state's Insurance Commissioner from 1976 to 1988 and as the president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 1983. Currently he is also CEO of Bill Gunter and Associates.
FAIA's Grady congratulated the new appointees, saying they will continue the association's tradition of providing FAIA with the best representatives in the state. "The service and leadership of these five members is a great example of the values FAIA stands for," he said. "As an industry, we face many challenges. With the guidance of these accomplished professionals and all of the members of our board, I know we'll be able to accomplish great things."
