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News & Notes
YOUNG AGENT AWARD NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN
Are you or someone you know a rising star in our industry? Nominate yourself or someone else for the 2025 IA&B Young Agent Award
IA&B will recognize three exceptional young agents – one each from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware – for this honor.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR THE WINNERS:
▲ Recognition at the award ceremony during the IA&B Young Agent Conference in October 2025
▲ Cover photo and interview in IA&B Primary Agent magazine, Young Agent issue
▲ Feature in video produced by IA&B
AWARD CRITERIA:
▲ Licensed P&C agent
▲ Example of emerging-leader status in the field
▲ Participated in IA&B events, education, or other happenings
Nomination forms are due by Friday, June 20: IABforME.com/Agent-Award
Questions? Contact IA&B PR Director Karen Robison at KarenR@IABforME.com or 800-998-9644, ext. 606.
INTRODUCING PRISCILLA WILLIAMS
IA&B is pleased to announce the hire of Priscilla Williams as Insurance Placement Specialist. In this role, Williams will work with independent insurance agencies throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware to build insurance plans that protect their businesses.
“We’re thrilled to have Priscilla join our team,” said IA&B President & CEO Jason Ernest, Esq. “As a former independent agency owner herself, she understands the unique needs of our clients and prospects.”
Williams is a long-time Delaware resident with over 20 years of experience in the insurance and real estate industries.
IA&B members are welcome to contact Priscilla at 800-998-9644, ext. 803 or PriscillaW@IABforME.com.
AVERY HALL INSURANCE CELEBRATES 100 YEARS
Congratulations to Avery Hall Insurance, an IA&B member agency headquartered in Salisbury, MD, on its 100th anniversary! The business began out of Avery W. Hall’s farmhouse and now includes five locations and more than 100 employees. The agency will host an anniversary celebration on June 12 at its headquarters.
Is your agency celebrating a milestone anniversary? Whether it’s five years or 125 years in the business, we want to acknowledge your accomplishment. Email announcements and images to IA&B Public Relations Director KarenR@IABforME.com.
MD LEGISLATIVE SESSION RECAP
This was an extraordinary year for the Maryland General Assembly. State lawmakers shaped public policy to deal with the twin forces of a sizeable $3 billion state budget deficit, coupled with federal actions under the new Administration that resulted in thousands of layoffs of federal employees and contractors in Maryland, as well as substantive reductions in grants and other federal funding.
Those financial challenges led to the passage of a budget that will apply a 3% sales tax to data and information technology services – a tax that IA&B opposed. In addition, IA&B was engaged on several other pieces of legislation affecting the P&C insurance industry, including limits on insurance rating factors, home improvement contractor reform, and changes to condominium coverage requirements.
Although the legislative session ended at midnight on April 7 with the constitutionally required balanced budget, there may be a special legislative session if further federal cuts result in a budget shortfall. Monitor Agent Headlines for updates.
YOUNG AGENT CONFERENCE RETURNS
Save the date! The 2025 IA&B Young Agent Conference will be held Oct. 15-16 at Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Macungie, PA. This annual event brings together an energetic, driven group of young agents who are actively seeking to develop their skills and careers. Watch IA&B communication and our website for more details and registration.
