JUL 12 th
JUL 24 th
NOV 10th
Charity Bowl XXXI
ELITExas-IIAH YIP's & NAAIA Joint Happy Hour
Fall Golf Tournament
Ronald McDonald House Volunteer Project
Kid's Meals Volunteer Project
SEP 11 th
OCT 3 rd
VOLUNTEER
CHARITABLECOMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT
WHAT WE DO:
Rai e Fund to be donated to Hou ton area Charitie
Select local charitie to receive fund
Organize and ho t charitable event
Support the Hou ton Fire Departmen
Promote Fire Prevention in local chool
The Charitable Projects Committee’s main function is to raise funds to be donated to local Houston area charities. The committee also supports the Houston Fire Department and promotes fire prevention in local schools. Throughout the year the committee organizes and hosts many memorable functions including Charity Benefit Crawfish Boil, Charity Bowling tournament, and the Fire Poster Contest. New committee members with a heart for charity and an enthusiastic attitude are always a welcome addition!
The Committee selected three charities to receive funds from this year’s charitable activities. The organizations are: Literacy Now, Big Love Cancer Care & Dream Catcher Stables . The committees are determined to find creative ways to hold successful events to benefit these outstanding and deserving organizations.
WHERE: Monthly @ 9:30 AM via ZOOM EMAIL: ayla@iiah.or
COMMITTEES 2024 - 2025
are what breaths life into our association. With 9 active committees there are at least 100 people actively serving the association with their unique skills. We are always looking to put your skills to use, to further drive the association’s mission forward. No matter what your skills are, or what you are passionate about, we likely have something of interest to you. The end result is to better the industry we all serve. Join a Committee today and become part of the mission.
Charitable Projects/ Fire Poster Chairman: Kathryn Noser
Education, I.T., CE
Houston Insurance Day
Co Chairman: Matt Romano Co Chairman: Nancy Eugenio
Legislative
Chairman: Kyle Dean
Vice Chairman: Wes Kurtz
IMPACT
Chairman: Wes Kurtz
Recreation
Chairman: Carisa Cole
Vice Chairman: Steven Sprague
Young Insurance Professionals
Chairman: Macy Bennett
Vice Chairman: Grant Pierce
PR/Media Matters
Chairman: Scott West
Social Media
Chairman: Daphne Clark Vice Chairman: Cassie Shanks
Houston Insurance News
Chairman: Amy Weimer Vice Chairman: Cassie Shanks
ANNUAL SPONSORS
Titanium Elite Sponsors
Imperial PFS
Burns & Wilcox, Ltd.
CRC Group
Vintage Underwriters
Platinum Partners for Excellence
Brown & Riding
RT Specialty
Texas Mutual Insurance
WSG Specialty Underwriters
Gold Patron Sponsors
Chubb
Jencap
Travelers
UFG Insurance Company WRIGHT Flood
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Jason Knecht
Susan Zipperer
Ryan Beavers
David Wuthrich
Adam Harris
Chris Dowling
Tom Fitzpatrick
Chairman
Chairman Elect
Vice Chairman
President & CEO
Past Chairman
Affiliate Liaison
Affiliate Liaison
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Faith Boren
Sam Houston
Matt Leicht
Kathryn Noser
Robert Oncken
William Peachey
Jesse Serna
Keaton Sumicek
Wes Weatherred
STAFF
David Wuthrich
Renee Stager
Ayla Benavides
Deb McRae
I can’t believe that summer is already here! It seems like it was just Christmas, where does the time go?
It was great to see so many of our members at HID, Crawfish Boil and Spring golf. These are great events that everyone seems to look forward to each and every year. If you have not participated, please plan to do that in 2026 for sure. You don’t know what fun you are missing.
I know that everyone is busy during the summer months and IIAH will be as well. Please be sure to sign up for the always fun Themed Charity Bowl. You will not want to miss everyone dressed up “to the nines!”
As always, we appreciate your support of YOUR organization! The only way to make it better is with your ideas. So if you have a great idea for something, please let one of the staff know. We are always in need of great ideas to keep IIAH fresh!
Thanks again for all you do and hope to see you soon!
CHARITABLE BENEFACTOR
“To provide a place in perpetuity where people with disabilities can be successful, equal, and capable, growing to their maximum life’s potential through interaction with horses in a positive environment.”
We accomplish our mission by providing educational, recreational, and sport, programming, including vocational/prevocational opportunities, to youth at risk and youth and adults with disabilities. Individuals are accepted without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, or socio-economic background. Our funding comes from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
Participation in horsemanship invites family involvement and can enhance family relationships. Community awareness and volunteerism are generated. For our athletes, new possibilities and capabilities are being realized due to improved motor skills, heightened self-esteem, real accomplishment, and inclusion in the main stream of life.
Dream Catcher Stables is the outgrowth of several pilot projects spanning 13 years. In terms of finances and assets, we have gone from a program with one horse and $5,000 of debt to a program with 9 horses on 22+ leased acres with assets exceeding $350,000. Serving just 4 athletes in the beginning, today 48 youth and adults with disabilities are part of our program. Our funding comes from individuals, corporations, foundations, and an annual fundraiser. Since being granted a permanent public charity ruling from the IRS in July 2003, we have made steady progress toward our ultimate goal. While Covid-19 created challenges we completed our horses all weather shelter, returned to programming and piloted weekday programming.
AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
Jason R. Knecht
jason.knecht@carrollins.com
As we move through 2025, the insurance industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with innovation, regulation, and resilience at the forefront of every conversation.
Locally, Houston remains at the heart of many of these changes. Our city’s ongoing population and construction boom—alongside its position as an energy hub—presents both opportunities and unique risks. Builders’ risk and commercial property markets have tightened, with carriers responding cautiously to increased CAT exposure and rising replacement costs. Agencies are having to be more strategic and collaborative to find placement success, especially for complex or coastal accounts.
We’re also seeing firsthand the impact of severe weather, as Houston continues to experience more frequent flood and wind events. These conditions are driving higher premiums, reinsurance pressures, and greater interest in parametric solutions and private flood markets. Risk mitigation conversations are no longer optional—they’re expected.
Meanwhile, the energy sector’s evolving risk profile, from traditional oil and gas to renewables, is keeping underwriters on their toes. Agencies with strong local knowledge and technical expertise are being called on to guide clients through emerging coverages like environmental liability, cyber, and transition risk.
On a broader scale, artificial intelligence and automation are reshaping workflows across the industry, and Houston is no exception. Many local agencies are adopting AIdriven tools to enhance customer service, streamline quoting, and improve claims experiences—but we must remain mindful of how these tools impact both trust and transparency.
At IIAH, we’re proud to showcase the adaptability and strength of our local industry in the face of national and global challenges. Thank you for being a vital part of that story.
Warm regards,
Teamsof5
july 12, 2025
Enjoy movie-themed lanes, awesome raffle prizes, and raising funds for a great cause.
SPONSOREDBY:
STRAIGHT LISTING
Name, Address, Phone, Contact Email
FULL LISTING
Name, Address, Phone, Contact Email, and website address
PLATINUM LISTING
Name, Address, Phone, Contact Email, website address, and unlimited lines of business
PACKAGE LISTING
Name, Address, Phone, Contact Email, website address, unlimited lines of business, and company logo on the Calendar of Event page of IIAH site
By: Regan Ellmer
Authored by Senator Charles Schwertner, SB30 aims to curb the growing threat of “nuclear verdicts”—those court awards exceeding $10 million that are becoming increasingly common in Texas. Between 2009 and 2023, Texas led the nation with 207 nuclear verdicts, totaling over $45 billion. These outsized awards are not just a legal issue—they’re a pocketbook issue. They drive up costs for businesses, increase insurance premiums, and make everyday goods and services more expensive for all Texans.
Michael Whorton, a 35-year veteran of the insurance industry, testified to the real-world impact of this crisis. He shared how one of his clients, a local pool service company, saw their auto insurance premiums jump from $200,000 to over $800,000 in a single year due to frivolous lawsuits and inflated legal settlements. Another client, who operates a fleet of concrete mixing trucks, faced a threefold increase in insurance per truck, jumping from $14,000 to $42,000.
Whorton likened the current litigation environment to the pre-reform chaos of the 1980s Texas workers’ comp system, citing rampant “doctor shopping” and padded medical bills that inflate claims and verdicts. His testimony called for greater medical billing transparency and cost containment, key goals of SB30.
Ben Patterson, an IIAT board member, reinforced these concerns. He explained how commercial auto premiums that were once around $1,400 per vehicle now exceed $5,000, and how the market for commercial auto and umbrella policies is shrinking fast. Even his own agency experienced a 30% rate hike this year. "Texas prides itself on being businessfriendly,” he said, “but what we’ve been known for is starting to lose its luster.”
What an incredible day at our Annual Charity Crawfish Benefit this past Thursday, April 17th — National Crawfish Day!
We had an amazing turnout and couldn’t have asked for better weather to enjoy delicious crawfish by Clutch City Crawfish, ice-cold drinks, and great company at Powder Keg.
Thanks to all of YOU who came out, we were able to raise funds and awareness for our incredible charitable partners:
B.I.G. Love Cancer Care Dreamcatchers Stables Literacy Now
Your generosity and support mean the world. We’re so grateful to everyone who showed up, donated, volunteered, and made this event a success!
Sidney O. Smith Award: Scott West
During the Big “I" Legislative Breakfast on Thursday, Jim Murphree, Big “I" government affairs chair and president of Jim Murphree Insurance Agency in Oneonta, Alabama, presented Scott West, owner of Pathfinder LL&D Group of Houston, Texas with the 2024 Sidney O. Smith Award.
West routinely hosts members of Congress and candidates for federal office at his agency and discusses Big “I" legislative priorities with them before they are elected to Congress. He has served on the InsurPac Board of Trustees multiple times, and is among the top 25 all-time donors to InsurPac.
West (pictured, right, with Murphree) was recognized for his legislative involvement and advocacy on behalf of independent agents over the past year. This award “is a way of honoring someone who has displayed true leadership, rolling up their sleeves and going to bat for businesses in the area of government," Murphee said. “But today's honoree just hasn't been involved. He's embodied what it means to be a leader nationally to the Big 'I' and his community."
Worried About Cybersecurity? Start with Password Management!
Cybersecurity is complex with many hardware, software, and training solutions needed to make your business secure. But all the best security solutions are useless without secure passwords. Let’s consider the humble password: Boring? Annoying? Ok, yes, but good passwords are the foundation of good security. Often, we work with businesses that have great security solutions, but they’ve put little effort into ensuring their employees are using strong passwords. What makes a good Password?
Length – Should be at least 12 characters but longer is better.
Complexity – Combine upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters.
Unique – Never use the same password with different apps.
Avoid Simple/Common Phrases - Especially if they relate to personal things about you. No Sharing - Never share your password with other employees.
Length Beats Complexity!
A long password using common words is more secure than a shorter, more complex password. For a strong password you can remember, we recommend using a passphrase with just a little complexity. Ex: “house!ocean2Drivecat”
You should never write down or store passwords in a file on your computer. Excel spreadsheets and Word documents simply are not secure enough for storing passwords. Use a Password Manager!
There’s a simple truth that we all must accept: It’s impossible to follow all the requirements for secure passwords without a Password Manager. While the built-in password managers on web browsers are better than nothing, a business needs a centrally managed password manager. Business grade password managers:
Help users create secure passwords.
Allows MFA/2FA codes to be stored which can lessens the need for authentication apps.
The system identifies bad passwords and they’re easy to change.
Users can share passwords as needed, and you can track access to shared passwords. Management access to all passwords for all users. Management can revoke employee access to passwords. And much more!
Strong passwords are essential to quality cybersecurity, but too often they’re overlooked simply because it’s hard or annoying to manage them properly. Neglecting passwords can undo all your efforts to implement effective security.
The good news is proper password management is inexpensive and can drastically increase the security of your business. Even better, your experience is improved by reducing the need to create and remember complex and unique passwords once you’re familiar with the manager.
It was a day filled with wagging tails, sloppy kisses, and meaningful connections.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to all who gave their time and compassion to make the day so special. Your presence brought comfort and joy to animals who need it most. CAPS’ mission is simple but powerful: to protect and advocate for animals through sheltering, adoption, education, and community outreach. Events like this remind us just how many wonderful pets are waiting for loving families.
Let’s continue to support this life-saving work—adopt, don’t shop. Choosing adoption changes a pet’s life forever—and yours too.
On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, we had the honor of celebrating the remarkable women graduating from The Women’s Home program at a heartfelt ceremony hosted at the Mabee WholeLife Center.
This special evening was made possible by our dedicated volunteers who gave their time and energy to make the event truly unforgettable. From decorating the venue to serving a delicious dinner and dessert, and most importantly, offering words of encouragement and support—your presence made a lasting impact.
We sincerely thank every volunteer who helped create a warm, celebratory environment where these strong, resilient women could be honored for their incredible accomplishments. Whether graduating the program or receiving well-earned awards, each woman stood as a testament to hope, healing, and growth. Moments like these remind us that community matters. When we show up for each other, we create space for transformation and triumph.
The Women’s Home has been empowering women in Houston since 1957, with a mission to help women build whole lives through a unique, long-term, whole-person approach that includes housing, behavioral health services, and vocational training.
Congratulations to all the graduates—we are so proud of you. And to our volunteers, thank you for helping us celebrate their journey with dignity and joy.
What a fantastic day on the green! On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, we hosted our Annual Spring Golf Classic at the beautiful BlackHorse Golf Club, and it couldn't have gone better.
A huge thank you to the 116 golfers who joined us for a day full of sunshine, sportsmanship, and smiles. We also want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all of our generous sponsors—your support made this event a great success!
Congratulations to our winners
1st Place – The Hartford
Jason Warden, Todd Mohr, Stuart Ray, Bob Palmer
2nd Place – Imperial PFS
Ronnie Vitulli, Greg Lyon, Drew Milburn, Alex Taylor
3rd Place – RT Specialty
Wes Crawford, Todd Crane, Alan Doyal, David Perez
Contest Winners
Men’s Longest Drive: Logan Taylor
Women’s Longest Drive: Jane Rhode
Closest to the Pin: Isaac Villalvazo
We’re already looking forward to seeing you all next year for another unforgettable day on the course! Until then—keep swinging!
Jeffrey Brian Day
Jeffrey Brian Day, 70, of Houston, passed away on April 20, 2025, beside his beloved wife of 40 years, Michelle DiMare Day. Jeff was a devoted husband to Michelle and a proud father to Cathleen Day (35, Austin) and John Paul Day (34, Houston). His career in insurance spanned decades and was marked by integrity, dedication, and the lasting relationships he built along the way.
A lifelong history enthusiast, Jeff shared his passion for the past with his children. John, a tax accountant, and Cat, an attorney, were his pride and joy —he loved them deeply and never missed a chance to celebrate their accomplishments.
Jeff will be remembered for his boundless joy, his extraordinary kindness, and a laugh that could fill a room and lift spirits instantly. He had a gift for making people feel welcome, heard, and loved.
Jeff is survived by his wife and children; his sister, Cathleen Day; his brother, David Day (April); his brother-in-law, Joe DiMare (Karen); and his nieces and nephews: Hanna (John) Gates; Daniel Day-Woodruff; Samuel (Hilary) Carter; Oren Day-Smith; Anthony (Nicole) DiMare; Lee Day; C. Day; Hugh Day; and many other family members, all of whom will miss him dearly.
Jeff is preceded in death by his father and idol, Hugh Paul Day; his mother and best friend, Beatrice Anthony Day; his brother, James Allison Day; and his nephew, Joseph DiMare.
WHO HAS... THE LAST WORD
Sam Houston
Where do you work?
Sam Houston & Associates, LLC
Blackstone Insurance Services, Inc.
What sound do you love?
Rain on a metal roof
If you could paint a picture of any scenery, you’ve seen before, what would you paint?
Bluebonnets in Texas Hill Country
What was the first thing you bought with your own money?
Baseball glove
If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
Now would be okay
What did you do growing up that got you into trouble?
Told an untruth
What is something you learned in the last week?
Time zones in New Zealand
Weirdest thing you have ever eaten?
Chitlins
What is your pet peeve in traffic?
Drivers distracted by their phones
Do you have any hidden talents?
I don’t hide much
What is your favorite flavor of jellybeans?
Cherry
What is your LEAST favorite electronic device?
Wireless mouse
What is the longest car trip you have ever taken?
Houston to Buffalo, NY
Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?
Yes
Ninjas or pirates?
Pirates The Rifleman
What was your favorite childhood television program?
Are you a collector of anything?
Junk
At a movie theater, which arm rest is yours?
The right one
