IIAT Names Watkins Young Agent of the Year; McCoy Honored as Top ACSR
Patrick Watkins, president of the Watkins Insurance Group in Austin, was named Young Agent of the Year by the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas. In addition, Kelly McCoy, senior commercial accounts manager at McQueary, Henry, Bowles, Troy in Dallas, won the IIAT’s Accredited Customer Service Representative of the Year award. Both honors were presented at the association’s 108th Conference and Trade Show, held recently in Austin.
Clyde Fitch of St. Paul Travelers presented Watkins with the Young Agent honor. St. Paul Travelers sponsored the award.
In making the presentation Fitch said, “This year’s winner is an excellent example of involvement and contribution for young agents everywhere.” He noted that Watkins runs a family agency that has grown from a single location with five employees to a nine-location agency with more than 60 employees.
Fitch told the gathering that Watkins has served in a number of industry roles. His committee work has included IIAT’s young agents, finance, and legislative committees, as well as the Marketing Task Force. He has served in the chairs and as president of his local association, being recognized with the President’s award. He has served as chairman of five different committees of his local association, and has been on agent councils for Safeco, Hartford, Unitrin and Myron Steves.
Fred Steves, executive director of Myron F. Steves, award sponsor, presented ASCR of the Year award to McCoy. “Kelly has demonstrated exceptional skill in servicing the renewal process for her clients, working with them with loss control measures, and in marketing and presenting proposals,” Steves said. “She considers being thought of as the ‘go to’ person for her customers as the most valuable contribution she makes to her agency’s success,” he added.
“Her role in providing outstanding service, her commitment to education, and her genuine passion to be her best for customers and the agency make her special,” he noted. McCoy has held the ACSR designation in personal lines since 1991 and in commercial lines since 1994. She is currently working on her CIC.
McCoy received a cash prize of $1,500 and attended the 108th Conference & Trade Show with a complimentary registration as a guest of IIAT. McCoy also received complimentary study materials from the American Institute for IIA/CPCU and has the opportunity to enter the National ACSR of the Year contest sponsored by IIABA.