LIDMA Names Two New Industry Leaders To Board Of Directors

February 15, 2007

- Byron Udell and Brian Casey join leading association supporting direct response sales in the life insurance industry –

DENVER, CO – February 15, 2007 - The Life Insurance Direct Marketing Association (LIDMA) has added Byron J. Udell, founder and CEO of AccuQuote and Brian T. Casey, partner with the Atlanta office of the law firm of Lord, Bissell & Brook LLP to their board of directors.  The announcement was made by Pat Wedeking, president of LIDMA. 

LIDMA is dedicated to assisting direct marketers in the life insurance industry increase their profitability and operations through work with carriers, vendors and regulators.  Each year, more than $300 million in life insurance premium is initiated from direct response efforts and direct sales of life insurance represents as much as 10% of all policy sales on an annual basis. 

“Byron and Brian are recognized as leaders in our industry and they are an incredible resource to add to the leadership team of LIDMA,” said Wedeking.  “Their guidance of our organization will play a major role in the continued growth of the direct response life insurance industry as a growing portion of the life insurance industry.”

In addition to serving as board members for the organization, Udell and Casey will also lead key committees within the organization.  Udell will lead LIDMA’s Market Research Committee and Casey will chair the Legal and Regulatory Committee.

Byron Udell is founder and chief executive officer of AccuQuote based in Wheeling, Illinois.  With more than 20 years of industry knowledge, Udell is acknowledged as one of the nation’s foremost life insurance and annuity industry experts.  In addition to his law degree and Series 7 general securities license, he has earned numerous professional designations including CLU, ChFC and CFP.

“LIDMA is playing a vital role in the growth and direction of the direct response life insurance industry and I am proud to be a part of this special organization, “said Udell.  “The direct response segment of our industry will continue to grow as a portion of our sales mix and it is important that LIDMA be a strong resource for companies looking to incorporate direct response into their new business efforts.”

Brian Casey is a partner in the Corporate, Financial Services and Insurance Practice Groups of the Chicago-based law firm Lord, Bissell & Brook LLP.  As leader of the firm’s Corporate and Regulatory Insurance Practice Group, Brian focuses his practice on corporate, mergers and acquisitions, multi-state insurance regulation and e-commerce/technology issues.  Casey also represents insurance clients in the areas of privacy, reinsurance, corporate finance, venture capital and taxation.

“LIDMA has filled a very important role as both an advocate for growth for the entire direct response life insurance industry as well as helping companies initiate and refine their direct response efforts for maximum performance, especially through use of technology, such as electronic signatures,” said Casey.  “As a customer-focused portion of the life insurance industry, it is important that LIDMA continue to serve as an independent body focused on helping our members meet the needs of the consumer.”

The two new members join current LIDMA directors:

• Todd Ewing, president of InsWeb Insurance Services of Single Springs, CA
• Debbie Smith, area vice president of new markets for Portamedic of Atlanta, GA
• Troy Thompson, senior vice president of fixed life products for Genworth Financial of Lynchburg, VA

“There is a consumer-driven change occurring in the life insurance industry that is fueling the growth of the direct response sales channel,” said Wedeking. “With the guidance of Byron Udell, Brian Casey and the rest of our leaders, LIDMA will continue to expand its capabilities and services for our members.”

About LIDMA

LIDMA is the primary association dedicated to supporting businesses and professionals active in direct sales of life insurance products to consumers – the fastest growing sales segment in the life insurance industry.  The not-for-profit organization is committed to helping members boost their revenues derived through direct response sales as well as assisting new entrants adapt and succeed in their direct response efforts.

For more information on LIDMA visit www.lidma.org or call (866) 890-LEAD (5323).

Media Contact:

Michael Biagiotti
(561) 620-8788
[email protected]