WASHINGTON--Joyce Sigler received the 2009 James M. Gibson Service Award last week during the 33rd AMS User Group National Conference here.

Ms. Sigler, with the James-Wenner Insurance Agency in Fairlawn, Ohio, was recognized for her efforts to improve the technology functions within her own agency and her work with group chapters to improve technology performance overall.

"My father once told me to have the wisdom to know and the wisdom to grow. All of you have that because you are at this conference," she said in accepting the award.

The association also awarded Lakenan Insurance of Ste. Genevieve in Ste. Genevieve, Mo., with the 2009 Automation Excellence Award for 25 users or less. Pierson & Smith Inc. of Norwalk, Conn., received the Automation Excellence Award for more than 25 users.

Mele Fuller was the recipient of the 2009 Wade S. Dunbar Jr. Award. The award is given to individuals who demonstrate a commitment to finding industrywide insurance solutions, exhibiting exemplary personal standards relative to the industry and the common good of all, and serving as a longtime industry voice void of personal agendas.

The director of vendor-partner integration for Liberty Mutual Agency Markets in Seattle, part of Boston-based Liberty Mutual, said that she was flattered to receive the award and that members of the association need to continue their volunteer efforts within the association.

The winner of this year's Quantum Award, which honors companies that create and deploy technology allowing agents to be more productive, profitable and improve customer service, was Allied Insurance, a Nationwide Co.

Other awards given at last week's meeting included the Louie E. Woodbury Jr. Leadership Award to James R. Elrod, operations manager of Little and Smith Inc. in Marietta, Ga., for a lifetime of leadership and service that make the association and the independent insurance agency system stronger.

Four presidential citation awards for leadership and service to the industry in the area of technology went to:

o Steven J. Aronson, president and CEO of Aronson Insurance Agency, Needham, Maine.

o Carolyn "Cal" J. Durland, program manager and member relations with ACORD and AUGIE (ACORD User Group Information Exchange) facilitator.

o Linda E. Rollings, industry advocate for AMS Users Group.

o Jeffrey M. Yates, executive director of the Agents Council for Technology.

The association also elected four new members from the insurance industry to its board of directors.

They were:

o Cindy Adams, vice president of information technology, Holmes Murphy & Associates, West Des Moines, Iowa.

o Timothy Casey, chief information officer for Conner Strong Companies Inc. in Cherry Hill, N.J.

o Marc McNulty, operations manager, William G. Uhl Agency, Dayton, Ohio.

o Cyndy Smith, vice president of automation, Haylor Freyer & Coon Inc., Syracuse, N.Y.

Special Reports /

Sigler Receives AMS User Group Gibson Award; Others Honored

Related Stories

Recommended For You