Calif. Agent Presented with InsurPac Recognition Award
Richard Dinger of Glendale, Calif., was recently honored with the InsurPac Young Agent Recognition Award bestowed annually upon the young agent or broker making the most significant impact on fundraising efforts for InsurPac—the political action committee (PAC) of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA).
Dinger, president of Crescenta Valley Insurance in Glendale, exhibited outstanding dedication as InsurPac’s state chair in California. The state raised $17,325 for InsurPac in 2002, including $3,775 from young agents. Dinger was recognized for his dedication to increasing young agent involvement in IIABA’s government affairs endeavors and his achievement in building InsurPac contributions and grassroots political advocacy among young agents.
“Rick has energized young agents not only in California, but on a national level as well,” said William F. Hofmann III, chairman of the InsurPac Board of Trustees, as he presented the award to Dinger during IIABA’s 27th Annual National Legislative Conference. “Rick selflessly devoted an incredible amount of time educating young agents about the political process and motivating them to make a financial impact through InsurPac, all while he has personally been in the midst of running for elective office himself.”
Dinger ran for a seat on the Glendale City Council. He began his insurance career at Crescenta Valley Insurance in 1985 and has been a leader in his local insurance association since. He served as director for the Glendale-Burbank area (1987-89), chairman of the San Gabriel Valley Young Agents (1989), chairman of the Young Brokers and Agents of the West (2001) and is currently the vice president of the local Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena Insurance Association.
“Rick’s understanding of the political process is phenomenal and his proactive involvement in his community, insurance associations, IIABA and its PAC is exceptional,” Hofmann said. “He takes the meaning of grassroots to another level and has gone to extraordinary lengths to impress upon young agents that they have the most to gain or lose from today’s legislative issues.
“Rick has helped young agents recognize that contributions to InsurPac are a dynamic way for them to voice their political concerns. InsurPac dollars can mean the difference between independent agents and brokers winning or losing an issue on Capitol Hill. Assuming a strong and influential position in the political fundraising landscape enables young agents to protect the future of their business and the independent agency system as a whole,” Hofmann added.
InsurPac raised the bar nationwide in 2002, achieving its all-time high for money raised in a single year. Independent agents and brokers throughout the country voluntarily contributed a record total of $453,996.78 to InsurPac last year, eclipsing the 2001 total by more than $27,000. InsurPac also broke its previous record for money raised during a two-year election cycle. InsurPac raised $882,210.67 in 2001-2002, an increase of more than $200,000 over the previous election cycle.