ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 23, 2009 —The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) has honored the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New Jersey (IIABNJ) with the Spirit of Education award.

“The 2009 Spirit of Education Award was presented to Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New Jersey for its important and lasting contributions to the Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR) program and the Big ‘I’ Virtual University,” says Madelyn Flanagan, Big “I” vice president of agent development, education and research. “The efforts by the IIABNJ team will benefit many agents and state associations in future education opportunities.”

The Spirit of Education Award was created by IIABA’s Agent Development, Education and Research Department to recognize a person or organization working closely with the national organization to deliver quality education to Big “I” members across a variety of platforms. The award was developed as a way to acknowledge the generous contribution of time, energy, expertise and patience necessary to make an education program or offering successful.  

Sherri Acconzo, IIABNJ president & CEO, accepted the award on behalf of the state association and was recognized for her leadership. IIANJ staffers Jennifer Kacmarsky and Karen Jamison, and Denise Ronan of the Brick Agency were also recognized.

Founded in 1896, the Big “I” is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of more than 300,000 agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life and health—as well as employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address:  www.independentagent.com.
           
###