People – Southeast
The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (Big “I”) recently awarded agent Cloyce Anders of North Carolina with the Woodworth Memorial Award, the highest honor the association bestows on one of its members, during the annual Big “I” Legislative Conference.
The Woodworth Memorial Award recognizes the meritorious and outstanding contributions of an independent agent or broker to the national association, to his or her Big “I” colleagues and to the insurance industry.
“His [Cloyce’s] dedication, service and support to his association and the independent agency system are unprecedented and fully epitomize the very tenets of this prestigious award,” said Tom Minkler, Big “I” chairman in presenting the award quoting North Carolina’s executive director, Kelley Erstine. “Bottom line: He will do absolutely anything asked of him on behalf of both his national and state associations. His energy and continued support are undying!”
Anders has a long record of service to the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (IIANC). In addition to serving as IIANC president and on various committees, he has received every agent award his state bestows including Agent of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement award, among others.
At the national level, Anders previously served on the Big “I” executive committee and as president of the association. He was a leader in the Big “I” E&O program, serving as chairman of the Professional Liability Committee, and was the original architect of the Big “I” Reinsurance Corporation that is in place today. Anders was also one of the primary founders of the political action committee InsurBanc, and served on the Peyton Street Holding Co. board overseeing the bank.
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has named Tiffany O’Shea as the organization’s director of public affairs.
O’Shea brings 20 years of experience to IBHS, where she will lead media relations efforts, as well as other communications initiatives such as FORTIFIED, a suite of IBHS programs that provide hazard-focused construction standards that can lead to safer, stronger communities.
O’Shea most recently was an independent communications consultant; her clients included IBHS and a variety of other organizations representing smart building solutions, clean energy, technology, flood insurance stakeholders, and commercial development. She previously served as vice president for a high tech public relations agency, Lois Paul &Partners.
As director of public affairs for the American Insurance Association (AIA), O’Shea managed public affairs efforts in the southwest region including Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Wyoming. She led communications for several coalitions during her tenure at AIA, and also led the insurance industry’s communications response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Louisiana and Texas and the continued ongoing recovery in Louisiana.
The MEMIC Group has appointed three underwriters for its territories in Virginia, Maryland and Florida. Timothy Cook, Michael Diamond and Scott Meinke joined the group’s underwriting team as senior production underwriters.
Cook brings 30 years of experience in the insurance industry to his new position. He is based in Virginia with responsibilities in Maryland and the District of Columbia as well.
Diamond has 20 years of experience in the insurance industry in Florida, including more than 15 as a workers’ compensation underwriter. He will join the company’s Florida underwriting team.
Meinke brings 24 years of experience in the insurance industry as well as a significant workers’ compensation underwriting history in the Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. markets. In his new role, Meinke will develop business opportunities in those territories.
The MEMIC Group, a regional workers’ compensation insurer, includes parent company, Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Co. and MEMIC Indemnity Co., as well as MEMIC Casualty Co.
Lee Roth will be retiring from Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co., and Joe Kinsey, who has reported to Roth for the past two years, has been named her successor. Kinsey will work out of the Tampa, Fla. office.
Roth, a 32-year industry veteran, served as a senior vice president and personal insurance executive, and was responsible for the personal insurance business at Fireman’s Fund, which focuses on the needs of the high net worth insurance market.
Roth joined Novato, Calif.-based Fireman’s Fund in 2012 after holding a variety of executive leadership positions with other high net worth firms.
Kinsey has 27 years of experience in the industry. He joined Fireman’s Fund in 2012 as the eastern zone executive for personal insurance. Kinsey has held leadership positions in underwriting, marketing, agency management and field sales management. Kinsey has worked with Roth since 1994, and was a member of her teams at Chubb and AIG.