NU Online News Service, July 30, 2:46 p.m.EDT

Leonard C. Brevik, the executive vice president and chiefexecutive officer of the National Association of ProfessionalInsurance Agents, has resigned.

In a statement released late Friday, the association says Brevikleft to focus his attention on a family real estate company withproperty holdings in multiple states.

He has served as the executive leader of the association since2004.

In a statement, PIA National President Thomas C. Adderhold saysTed Besesparis, senior vice president of communications, will fillin for Brevik as acting association executive until a replacementis found.

“The PIA National Executive Committee will exercise duediligence in in selecting a permanent replacement,” says Adderhold.“To that end, we will not rush to fill this vacancy. A selectioncommittee will be appointed to oversee the process.”

Commenting on his departure in a statement, Brevik says, “I amproud of what PIA has stood for and accomplished during my eightyear tenure. Working together as staff and volunteers, we haveaccomplished much: developing a formidable national brandingprogram, launching a professional liability captive program,creating the leading industry agent/company forum 'The Partnership'and building an advocacy team second to none.”

He adds, “While I am excited about my next challenge, I willmiss my daily contact with the finest staff I have had theprivilege to work with and many fine leaders from around thecountry who have grown into friends.”

In an e-mail statement, Besesparis says, “I have nothing but theutmost respect and admiration for Len and all the good things hehas accomplished for PIA.”

“Len brought PIA National to a much higher level of prominenceand influence, building a professional staff that is effective andexemplary in its advocacy for all of the members of PIA,” says PIANational President-elect Andrew C. Harris in a statement. “Weappreciate Len's years of singular dedication to the success of ourassociation and his many achievements on our behalf. We wish himwell in his next endeavors.”

Both Adderhold and Harris say Brevik's leaving does not mark an“any lessening of commitment to the success of PIA” its affiliatesor change in direction, nor will there be any let-up in theassociation's initiatives.

In an interview, Fred Thomas, immediate-past president of PIA National andbranch manager at Western States Insurance, says Brevik will bemissed because “he did a very good job for PIA.”

The move, he says, will be an opportunity “to bring fresh bloodand leadership into the organization,” which is something to lookforward to while appreciating all that Brevik has done for theassociation.

Brevik's leaving did not come as a complete surprise to theassociation's leadership, says Thomas, and the possibility that hemight leave at some point was discussed.

Concerning Brevik's replacement, Thomas believes the associationwill look for someone capable of being a strong advocate forindependent agents and their brand across the country. Theindividual will to be able to work within the association and itsaffiliates, much as Brevik did.

Thomas says that anyone with leadership capabilities will beconsidered and the choice will not limited to someone withinsurance experience. However, he indicated someone with insuranceexperience would be the most likely candidate.

In a 2004 interview with National Underwriter, Brevik saidthat one of his main goals was “replanting the PIA flag,” after anumber of years that saw the association end its nationalconvention and deal with persistent rumors of merging with theIndependent Insurance Agents Association of America (now theIndependent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America).

Among some of the association's initiatives during Brevik'stenure, the association established its own branding campaign in 2007 and released a Spanish version of the campaign in 2010.

Updated at 3:20 p.m. EDT with comments from FredThomas.