PIA of Fla. Board Honors Cobb, Silverman, Fowinkle
Dave Cobb, Ron Silverman and Bob Fowinkle were honored by the Professional Insurance Agents of Florida (PIA) board of directors during a meeting this week in Hutchinson Island, Fla. Mark O’Connell, PIA executive vice president gave a “President’s Award” to Cobb, a “Leadership Award” to Silverman and an “Agent of the Year Award” to Fowinkle.
Cobb, an agent for almost 43 years, founded Freedom Insurors Inc in Tampa 22 years ago. The President’s Award honors and recognizes the achievements of a member who has made tremendous contributions to PIA in a variety of ways. O’Connell said Cobb’s remarkable tenacity and leadership serving on PIA’s board and other volunteer committees made him a perfect candidate for the award.
Cobb has provided leadership to PIA, most notably its Legislative Committee, where he has been instrumental in the state’s legislative arena. Cobb’s leadership and concern also extends to the community where he has been active in the March of Dimes and is past-president of the Florida Voluntary Health Association.
Silverman owns Silverman Insurance Agency in Deltona. PIA recognized his efforts as chair of PIA’s Educational Committee and for furthering the successes of its Certified Insurance Counselors and Certified Insurance Representatives designation programs. Silverman is a popular instructor at insurance education classes he leads across Florida. He is active in the West Volusia County Chamber of Commerce, the West Volusia Toastmasters and various other community organizations.
Fowinkle owns the Moore Fowinkle & Schroer Agency in Bradenton. The highest honor an agent can receive, the Agent of the Year Award is based on an agent’s professional competence, high ethical standards, and overall contribution to the industry. Fowinkle is honored not only at the Florida level, but he also becomes our nominee for PIA’s National Agent of the Year Award.
Fowinkle volunteers his time to promote and further PIA and independent agents around the state. He’s done an outstanding job of chairing PIA of Florida’s Legislative Committee and emceeing PIA’s Legislative Days. He values education for agents and he supports and promotes it with his staff. He is a certified instructor for PIA’s Certified Insurance Counselor program. Another of his passions is Kiwanis International, he has just completed his term as the Florida District Governor of Kiwanis.
Based in Tallahassee, PIA of Florida represents agents across the state, providing legislative advocacy; education programs; timely, unbiased information; and discounted member services designed to help insurance agents compete successfully. PIA’s website is at http://www.piafl.org.