FORT MYERS, Fla., July 12 -- The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers issued the following news release:

Disabled Veterans Insurance Careers, dedicated to helping disabled U.S. veterans by providing new opportunities for training and employment in the insurance industry, has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Foundation for Agency Management Excellence, the charitable and educational arm of The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers.

The grant will assist DVIC with the development of state-of-the-art training techniques that will prepare disabled veterans with skills for sales support and cross-selling personal insurance products for careers in the insurance industry.

"On behalf of DVIC, I would like to thank FAME as well as The Council for their generosity," said James R. Pender, DVIC co-founder and chairman of the board. "This gift will enable us to continue on the path to educate, license and generate meaningful employment opportunities for physically disabled veterans."

The organization will invite the participation of leading agents and brokers identified by leaders in the industry. Agents, brokers and insurance companies will initially work with DVIC by outsourcing sales and customer service functions to the veterans group.

Through a partnership with an accredited institution of higher learning, training of up to one year will be provided through online courses and virtual classrooms. A stipend will be paid during training. All work will be completed via telephone and computer, thereby eliminating the burdens often associated with physical challenges. The goal is for the disabled veterans to work from a home office setting.

"I am honored to be associated with an industry that cares so much about giving back to communities we serve," said Gary V. Trippe, director and co-founder of DVIC.

The nonprofit Foundation for Agency Management Excellence was founded by The Council in 1994 to promote leadership and excellence in the insurance agent/broker community through education, training and research.

"The Council is proud to support DVIC in its mission of educating, training and assisting our veterans in developing bright futures in this great industry," said Ken A. Crerar, president/chief executive officer, The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers and FAME secretary.

"DVIC represents an organization ripe with potential to positively impact the lives of thousands of well-deserving U.S. veterans and FAME is thrilled to offer this grant in support of that goal," said Albert R. (Skip) Counselman, FAME chairman, and chairman and chief executive officer, RCM&D Inc.

DVIC's strategic board includes James R. Pender CPCU, CLU, ChFC, ARM, BB&T-Oswald Trippe and Company, co-founder and chairman; Gary V. Trippe CIC, BB&T-Oswald Trippe and Company, co-founder; Lee Knapp, Knapp Consultants, founding member; Brady Polansky, Polansky Enterprises, founding member; Jon Bidwell, Chubb Insurance Group, founding member; Walter J. Gdowski, The Rough Notes Company; James R. Hackbarth, Assurex Global; Robert M. Menke, Bankers Insurance Group; George (Shad) A. Steadman III, Rutherfoord, A Marsh & McLennan Agency; retired U.S. Air Force Capt. Gerald J. Sullivan, The Sullivan Group; and John Wepler, Marsh Berry.

The organization's operating board consists of retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Gary L. Bryant; retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James L. Dozier; Roger C. Mercado Jr., Community Cooperative Ministries Inc.; Pender; Trippe; Kathy Pender, Kathy Pender M.A., L.P.C.C.; and retired insurance agency executive Gary Trippe.

TNS MGD120714-3952457 StaffFurigay