Agency veteran Jeff Yates announced his retirement from the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. Yates has served the association for 39 years, most recently as Agents Council for Technology (ACT) executive director.

“The Big 'I' is tremendously grateful to Jeff Yates for his innumerable contributions to the association and the independent agency system,” said Big “I” president and CEO Robert Rusbuldt.

Yates originally served in the general counsel's office from 1975 to 1982 as executive vice president and general counsel. He spearheaded the association's move from New York to new headquarters in Alexandria, Va. in 1989, and 1998, he was promoted to CEO.

After his retirement in 2000, Yates returned to the Big “I” in 2001 to lead the ACT program as executive director. Throughout his tenure, he received numerous accolades and awards, including the creation of a Big “I” lifetime service award, named in his honor.

“Jeff has been an amazing leader, mentor and industry trailblazer. His countless efforts, dating back to when he joined the association in 1975 as assistant general counsel to his service as CEO and his role in developing ACT, have been instrumental to the independent agency system. We will greatly miss him on our team and wish him happiness in his retirement,” said Rusbuldt.

Ron Berg, an active volunteer in ACT, is slated to succeed Yates.

“Ron is the right person to lead this critical initiative into the future,” Rusbuldt said.

“We are also delighted to have Ron Berg onboard to succeed Jeff. Ron has been working with Jeff on the transition for two months now and is bringing passion, experience, dedication and fresh ideas to the role to help take ACT to the next level,” said Jim Armitage, ACT chair and vice president of Arroyo Insurance in Arcadia, Calif.

“The ACT Committee and members want to thank Jeff for his years of leadership and for working with so many dedicated volunteers to grow ACT into such a great initiative

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Jeff Yates Retires from Big &ldquo;I&rdquo; After 39 Years

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Jeff Yates Retires from Big “I” After 39 Years