People Moves: IIAT Promotes Loftis, Adds Ellmer; New Officers, Board Members for Austin Agents Association

The Independent Insurance Agents Association of Texas (IIAT) promoted H. Lee Loftis Jr. to chief legislative officer and added Regan Ellmer to the IIAT government affairs team.

Loftis has been IIAT’s government affairs director since 2006.

Ellmer joins Loftis as the new director of government affairs, bringing a wealth of Capitol knowledge to IIAT. He served six years as a staffer and was chief of staff for Rep. Andrew Murr from 2015-2018. Most recently, Ellmer was government affairs specialist at the Texas Department of Insurance. Ellmer is expected to begin at IIAT in mid-August.

The Austin Association of Insurance Professionals (AAIP) elected Jill Duggan Hale with Magnolia Hospice as president.

Other newly elected officers and board members include: President-Elect Jessica Hahn with Risk Placement Services; Vice President Meghan Welte with Service Lloyds Insurance Co.; Treasurer Veronica Ramirez with Ed Weeren Insurance Agency; Director Lindsey Burton with Risk Placement Services; Director/Past President Robby Moore with Plus/Towerstone; Director Marjolyn Varano with Plus/Towerstone; Director Joshua VonFrisch with Columbia Insurance Group; and Director Beth Reese with Texas Mutual Insurance Co.

The group has returned to in-person membership meetings with a focus this year on local charities and helping animals/wildlife.