NU Online News Service, May 5, 10:43 a.m. EDT

Grinnell Mutual President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Agnewhas been selected for induction to the Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame,his company announced.

The ceremony is scheduled for May 21 at the Olmsted Center onthe Drake University Campus in Des Moines, Iowa.

Mr. Agnew joined Grinnell Mutual as a marketing representativefor northern Illinois in 1969 and served in the marketingdepartment for 18 years, becoming the vice president of marketingin 1985; senior vice president of membership development in 1987;vice president of southeast operations in 1990; and was appointedpresident and CEO of Grinnell Mutual in 1991.

In his recommendation letter to the selection committee,Grinnell Mutual Chairman Michael Fordyce wrote that Mr. Agnew "hasa working knowledge of the insurance business, its product linesand its human resources. He has a gift of hiring people for theright job. He is a true asset to Grinnell Mutual."

The company said that under Mr. Agnew's leadership, GrinnellMutual has grown into the largest reinsurer of farm mutualcompanies in the United States, securing over 52 percent of themarket.

Bruce Thomas, chairman of the National Association of MutualInsurance Companies (NAMIC) and president/CEO of Heartland MutualInsurance Association, said: "Dan's longevity with one companyshould speak volumes. However, it is the dedication, vision andpassion he has given to the Farm Mutual insurance industry duringthis time span that warrants his induction."

He called Mr. Agnew "the face of the mutual industry in thestate of Iowa."

Mr. Agnew has served as president of the Iowa InsuranceInstitute, trustee of the NAMIC Reinsurance Committee and HealthInsurance Plan, member of the NAMICO Board of Directors and heldmembership in the Mutual Insurance Association of Iowa, IowaChapter of National Ag Marketing and Who's Who in Sales andMarketing.

He has also served with numerous community groups.

The Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame was founded in 1997 to recognizeoutstanding contributions to the Iowa insurance industry. Aselection committee evaluates nominations on standards includingethics and impact on the industry.

To be eligible for consideration, nominees must have an Iowaconnection, serve as a role model for young people as well asothers in the insurance business, exhibit the highest standards ofethical conduct, and have significantly impacted the insuranceindustry.