At this morning's Big “I" Legislative Conference Breakfast, Madelyn Flannagan, Big “I" vice president of agent development, education and research, received the 2022 Jeff Yates Lifetime Achievement Award—the highest recognition the Big “I" bestows on a non-agent.
The award, established in 2013 in recognition of former Big “I" CEO Jeff Yates, recognizes those beyond the agent community who contribute to the vitality and strength of the independent agency system. The Big “I" designed the award to identify an individual—whether a carrier field rep, state association staff member or industry educator—who committed their career and energy to make independent agents and the national association successful.
Flannagan recently retired and has dedicated her 26-year career to providing crucial data insights to the insurance industry and independent agents, leading education and advocacy programs, and offering outstanding service and commitment to the independent agency channel in general.
Bob Rusbuldt highlighted Flannagan's extensive impact on the Big “I" with her leadership. “She has appeared on national TV, radio and print media as an expert on agent, broker and marketplace issues. She was an independent agent herself for 15 years before joining the Big 'I' and she oversaw a slew of association programs," he said when presenting the award. “Few have impacted the Big 'I' programs as much as her."
During her tenure, Flannagan led the association's advocacy programs for education, Best Practices, technology, diversity & inclusion, talent recruitment, development and young agents, as well as the Trusted Choice® Disaster Relief Fund and the Trusted Choice COVID-19 Relief Fund. Her research of ongoing industry trends included the biennial Agency Universe Study, considered the most definitive picture of the independent agency system, as well as the annual Market Share Report and other notable studies with various carrier partners. Flannagan joined the Big “I" in 1995.
“First of all, Bob, thank you for your leadership and letting me do what I needed to do to succeed—I really appreciate that," Flannagan said when accepting the award, also thanking her husband, her sister, and her team, including Jennifer Becker, Big “I" director of education programs. “I've had a great staff, and I can only thank them. Without them, I wouldn't be up here."