Collins to Replace Schuettner as President of Insurance Designers of America

J. Craig Collins has joined Insurance Designers of America, LLC and will take over for Dick Schuettner, who will retire March 31.

In his role, Collins will direct general business development including creating strategic business initiatives and expanding sales and marketing activity for the organization. Additionally, he will have primary responsibility for managing relationships with partner insurance carriers.

Craig Waldenmaier, Chairman of the Board at Insurance Designers, said Collins’s knowledge and experience will enhance the company’s efforts to grow its business from independent producers and institutional clients.

Collins has more than 40 years of experience in the financial services industry and leadership experience in managing and developing independent distribution. He comes to Insurance Designers from Highland Capital Brokerage where he was senior vice president, Business Development and head of HighCap Financial, a producer group. He previously served as senior vice president at Voya Financial (formerly ING US) and was responsible for Independent Life Insurance sales, Voya’s largest life insurance distribution channel.

Collins began his insurance career as an agent in 1977 and held several positions with major U.S. insurance companies. He has been actively involved in the industry including participation in several associations. He was a long-standing member of LIMRA’s Brokerage Committee, which he chaired in 2010 and 2011, LIMRA’s Distribution Leaders Round Table, NAILBA and AALU.

Greg Patterson, principal at Advisors Financial Group and immediate past Chairman at Insurance Designers, said Schuettner was instrumental in helping to lay a foundation for Collins and its membership to continue on its growth trajectory.

Insurance Designers of America is an insurance marketing organizations (IMO) founded by former agency heads of a national insurance carrier that was exiting the agency distribution system.

IDA now has over 50-member agencies across the country and is a leading distributor of life insurance, annuities and related products.