(ALEXANDRIA, VA – Feb. 19, 2009) – The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big "I") today announced that Marvin Kelly, president of the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCU) Society, will deliver an address at the Diversity Luncheon held during the association’s National Legislative Conference & Convention on Friday, May 1, at 11:30 a.m.
“Over the last three decades, Marvin Kelly’s contributions and achievements to the insurance industry have been recognized nationally and internationally,” says Robert A. Rusbuldt, Big “I” president and CEO. “His address will provide a unique and informative perspective to those attending the Diversity Luncheon, an important event at our Legislative Conference and Convention.”
Kelly has served as the executive director of the Texas Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association for the past 16 years and was recently selected as the 2008-2009 president of the CPCU Society. Kelly served on the Society’s Board of Governors from 2001-2003; co-chaired the CPCU Society Diversity Task Force from 2004-2005; and was elected vice president of the Society in 2006. Additionally, Kelly has served on the Executive Committee of the National Conference of Insurance Guaranty Funds and on the board of the Deep East Texas Self Insurance Fund. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in insurance from the University of Hartford and an MBA in risk management and insurance from Walden University.
The Big “I” National Legislative Conference and Convention is the insurance industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 29 through May 1 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. Invitations to the Diversity Luncheon on May 1 are available by e-mailing a request to Bill Pierson at bill.pierson@iiaba.net.
“Minorities, young people, and women continue to be underrepresented in our industry and in the independent agency system - particularly among agency principals,” says Bill Pierson, Big “I” assistant vice president of agent development and executive director of the InVEST Program. “Marvin is one of the country’s leading advocates for InVEST, the Big ‘I’ school-to-work insurance program that provides high school and community college educators with insurance curriculum. InVEST also provides industry resources to help attract a new generation of insurance professionals, including increasing diversity in our industry.”
Other highlights of the Big “I” National Legislative Conference include: in-depth issues briefing sessions, a panel discussion with top insurance carrier CEOs, a state of the association address by Big “I” chairman Brett Nilsson, a speech by “Freakonomics” author Stephen Dubner, appearances by numerous high-profile industry speakers, and hundreds of meetings on Capitol Hill between Big “I” agents and brokers and their elected representatives in the Congress.
For registration and hotel information, go to www.independentagent.com and select the “Events and Conferences” link. Journalists interested in attending, please contact Margarita Tapia, director of public affairs, at (800) 221-7917 or margarita.tapia@iiaba.net for media registration.
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, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.
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