U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., was named the 2007 Federal Legislator of the Year by the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies during its annual conference held earlier this week in Grapevine, Texas.
"Senator Nelson is known for his exceptional knowledge and understanding of the property-casualty industry as well as the important role that insurance plays in the economy," said NAMIC President and Chief Executive Officer Chuck Chamness in a statement.
"He is a firm believer in states' rights and understands the importance of the states' role in regulating the property-casualty insurance industry, and that any type of reform should take place at the state level," Mr. Chamness said.
A former insurance company CEO and one time Nebraska director of insurance, Mr. Nelson was also the state's governor.
The association also named Florida State Rep. Don Brown, R-DeFuniak Springs, and Minnesota State Sen. Linda Scheid, D- Brooklyn Park, as State Legislators of the Year.
Mr. Chamness called Mr. Brown "a voice of reason in the overheated Florida insurance climate."
Ms. Scheid was recognized for her support of competitive insurance markets.
Also recognized during the conference were:
o David L. Lehman, president of Mennonite Mutual Insurance Company in Orrville, Ohio, received the 2007 NAMIC Chairman's Award.
o Art Meadows, president and CEO of Panhandle Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. in Moundsville, W.Va., who was named Professional Farm Mutual Manager of the Year by the Farm Mutual Conference of NAMIC.
o Wayne F. White, president and chairman of Home Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Conway, Ark., was the recipient of the Insurance Educations Institute 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award.
NAMIC also named its officers for the 2007-2008 term. They are:
o Chairman--Tom Dials, president, Armed Forces Insurance Exchange of Leavenworth, Kan.
o Chairman-elect--Darwin Copeman, president, Cameron Mutual Insurance Company of Cameron, Mo.
o Immediate Past Chairman--Gary Myers, executive vice president, Shelter Mutual Insurance Company of Columbia, Mo.
o Vice Chairman--Jon Grether, chief operating officer, Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company of Algona, Iowa.
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.