PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
A UNIFIED VOICE Ask IA&B members who have been around for a bit, and chances are they’ll cite political advocacy as one of the most valuable assets of their association membership. In fact, you can count me among them. That’s because over the years there have been no shortage of issues requiring IA&B’s involvement at the state level of government. Sometimes it’s playing offense, sometimes defense. Sometimes it’s for our clients’ benefit, sometimes our own. Regardless, it’s the strength of a unified voice representing independent agents that has benefited all of us time and again. This issue of Primary Agent is dedicated to IA&B’s legislative advocacy. On the following pages, you’ll read about the issues that motivate our members’ involvement in government affairs work, as well as the strategies that IA&B relies upon to build a successful advocacy program. The September magazine also includes a list of AgentPAC contributors – IA&B members who financially support the association’s political action committee. If you’re among them, thank you. If your name isn’t on the list, I ask you to consider a contribution. We’re all in this together, and together we have great strength.
INSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS 650 Wilson Lane, Suite 200 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 191 Main Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 800-998-9644 | IABforME.com
IA&B BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Richard M. Rankin, CIC Chair Murray Insurance Associates, Inc. | Lancaster, PA D. Bradley Rosenkilde Jr. Vice Chair R&A Insurance, Inc. | Hunt Valley, MD
MEMBERS Greg Bennett
Bill Purdy
Sarah Brown, CIC, CRM, AFIS
Kent Reynolds, CIC
Famous & Spang Associates Aberdeen, MD Keller Brown Insurance Svcs Shrewsbury, PA
Kate Dawson, CPIA
Ferri Dawson Insurance Murrysville, PA
Andrew Enders, Esq. Enders Harrisburg, PA
Len Gieseler, LUTCF
Jason Rodriguez
Prominent Insurance Svcs Wilmington, DE
Donna Roper
E K McConkey & Company York, PA
Candace Shoupe, AAI, AIC
CBM Insurance Agency New Castle, DE
Bruce D. Kraft, AAI, CIC
Tara Silfies, CPCU
Shayne McIntosh, CIC
Richard M. Rankin Chair of the Board
Blue Ridge Risk Partners LLC Hagerstown, MD
Evans Hauseman & Richard, Inc. Pottstown, PA Arbor Insurance Group Allentown, PA
Best,
Purdy Insurance Agency, Inc. Sunbury, PA
JPI Insurance Associates Dillsburg, PA
Chris Miller, CIC
Miller Insurance Protection Team Jonestown, PA
Michael Papa, CIC, MBA Diversified Insurance Industries, Inc. Hunt Valley, MD
Hampson-Mowrer Agency, LLC Bethlehem, PA
Bob Smyrl, CIC
Robert L. Smyrl, Inc. Hatfield, PA
Michael Thomas
Lighthouse Insurance Svcs Gambrills, MD
Sheila Wells, CIC, CISR
Williams Insurance Agency Rehoboth Beach, DE
NATIONAL DIRECTORS Mike Ertel (PIA) The Jacobs Company, Inc. | Columbia, MD Mark Monroe (IIABA) Griffith Insurance, LLP | West Chester, PA Diana Hornung Hanby (IIABA) IOA National, Inc. | Wilmington, DE 2
SEPTEMBER 2022