Timothy Pedersen Presented Charles A. McAlear/NAPSLO Industry Award

Timothy Pedersen Presented Charles A. McAlear Award Timothy Pedersen, President of Travis/Pedersen & Associates and a Past NAPSLO President, was presented the Charles A. McAlear/NAPSLO Industry Award by outgoing President Robert Sargent during Wednesday’s General Session program at the 2012 NAPSLO Annual Convention in Atlanta.

“We recognized the best and brightest in our surplus lines community today,” said outgoing President Robert Sargent. “Our industry has become very successful because of the efforts of these leaders, and it was a privilege to honor them today.”

NAPSLO’s McAlear Industry Award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the surplus lines industry.

Mr. Pedersen was elected to the NAPSLO Board in 1993 and served as President from 1999 to 2000, and as Convention Chair he was instrumental in planning NAPSLO’s special 25th Anniversary Convention in New York in 1999. Since leaving the NAPSLO Board, he has remained active and visible within the Association, and industry, serving on the Illinois Surplus Lines Association Board as Treasurer.

The NAPSLO President's Award, which recognizes NAPSLO Committee Chairs for outstanding service, was presented to Greg Crouse, Chair of NAPSLO’s Membership Committee. The W. Dana Roehrig (Past President's) Award, which recognizes efforts of NAPSLO’s committee volunteers, was presented to Wendy Houser for service to NAPSLO’s Mid-Year Committee. Daniel F. Maher, Executive Director of the Excess Line Association of New York, was presented the Richard M. Bouhan Legislative Advocacy Award, honoring individuals whose advocacy helps advance the legislative interests of the surplus lines industry. The Steven R. Gross Next Generation Award, which recognizes contributions to NAPSLO by members under 40 years of age, was presented to Nick Abraham, outgoing president of NAPSLO’s Next Generation.

ASLI Designees Recognition
The 2011-2012 class of Associate in Surplus Lines Insurance (ASLI) designees were recognized during the ASLI Conferment Ceremony at the General Session.

The Distinguished Graduate in the 2011-2012 Class was Christopher D. Murphy, EMC Insurance Companies and recognized for Academic Excellence were Corissa M. Pate, John S. Slaba; and Julia L. Wilking. In addition to Mr. Murphy, designees recognized at the General Session were: William Brown, RPS; Timothy Byrne, Coastal Agents Alliance; Christopher Campbell, Insurance House; Elizabeth Hannon, Scottsdale Insurance Co.; Wesley Hartsoe, Insurance House; and Raul Plasencia, Risk Placement Services.

The ASLI program was developed jointly by the Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation and The Institutes in 1996. Since the program’s inception, more than 1,800 insurance professionals have earned the designation, including 109 during the past year.

Marketing Awards Presented 
Three firms were recognized in the annual NAPSLO Marketing Award contest for outstanding marketing efforts. Receiving the first place award was Venture Programs for their Preferred Club Program Gold Standard Campaign. Receiving honorable mention were USG Insurance Services for their 10th Anniversary Campaign and TAPCO Underwriters for their Product Ad, Email Blasts entry.

NAPSLO teamed up with the Insurance Marketing & Communication Association (IMCA) to offer NAPSLO members the opportunity to submit their best marketing campaigns to be recognized. More than 30 entries from NAPSLO member firms were received in the second year of the contest.

NAPSLO Interns Recognized
Six NAPSLO interns selected to attend the Annual Convention were also recognized during the General Session. NAPSLO selected 13 interns to work with NAPSLO members over the past summer and the top six were selected to attend the Annual Convention.

The six interns will be interviewed to select two for additional intern opportunities in London and Bermuda next year. Selected were: Cameron Annas, Appalachian State University; Kacy Jones, the University of Mississippi; Lynden Lyles, the University of Louisiana at Monroe; Thomas Metzger, Temple University; Eric Mutch, Illinois State University; and Will Smith, Georgia State University.

“I am excited to present to you our top six NAPSLO interns this year,” said Steve Gross, Co-Chair of the Career Awareness & Internship Committee. “Attracting top talent to our industry is what the NAPSLO internship program is all about, and I sincerely appreciate the hard work and support of their host firms this year.”

Broker firms hosting interns were: AmWINS Brokerage – Atlanta, AmWINS Brokerage – New York, Bliss & Glennon, Boston Insurance Brokerage, Burns & Wilcox, CRC – Atlanta, CRC - New Jersey, Crouse & Associates, Hull & Co., Insurance House, Preferred Concepts, LLC, The Sullivan Group, and Westrope.

Company host firms were: AXIS Insurance, Endurance, Great American Specialty E&S, James River Insurance Co., Liberty International, Markel Midwest, Markel Northeast, Maxum Specialty Insurance Group, Nautilus Insurance Co., RSUI Group, Inc., Scottsdale Insurance Co., Vela Insurance Services, and Western World Insurance Group.