ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Sept. 12, 2016 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) installed Spencer M. Houldin of Roxbury, Connecticut, as the association’s chairman at its Fall Leadership Conference in Chicago.
Houldin is the president of Ericson Insurance Advisors, a second generation independent insurance agency with offices in Washington Depot, Connecticut; Boston; and New York City.
“Spencer is a well-respected national spokesman and leader for the independent agency system and the Big ‘I’,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “From the beginning of his career as a young agent in Connecticut to his more recent efforts on national television and on Capitol Hill where he has testified on behalf of the association on numerous occasions, Spencer is a steadfast leader and advocate on behalf of all agents and brokers. The Big ‘I’ is proud to announce that he is our new chairman and we look forward to an incredibly productive year.”
Houldin served as chairman of the Big “I” government affairs committee for three years starting in 2008, during which time he testified before numerous congressional committees on behalf of the association. He also represented the state of Connecticut on the Big “I” national board of directors from 2006 to 2008.
In 2004, Houldin served as Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut (IIAC) president. Throughout his career, Houldin has held seats on agent advisory councils for many insurance companies. Houldin is also active in his local community serving on the executive committee of Western Connecticut Health Network, which is a multi-hospital organization. He is also past president of the local rotary.
“IIAC is extremely proud that Spencer is the new Big ‘I’ chairman,” says Warren C. Ruppar, IIAC president. “Spencer is the future of independent agents and the future of our industry is bright. His ambition and drive leads him as he embraces new technology and innovations in marketing and other key aspects of our industry. Spencer is a proven leader in Connecticut and will continue that excellence in his role as IIABA chairman.”
Houldin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Lafayette College. He resides in Roxbury, Connecticut, with his wife, Carol, and two children.
Founded in 1896, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of more than a quarter of a million 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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