AUSTIN, TX (June 7, 2016) – Each year, a group of exceptional insurance professionals are chosen by The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research to represent their states and compete to become the National Outstanding CSR of the Year. This prestigious award, regarded as the foremost national award of its kind, recognizes the contributions and commitment of those who serve clients within the insurance industry.
To qualify for the top state honor, the 2016 candidates submitted an essay on the following topic:
“Many in our industry came into insurance by chance, but have built a career by choice. How did you come into the industry, and what are four reasons you stayed and built a career?”
Additionally, entrants must have demonstrated commendable service to their agencies, their industry, and their community. The only eligibility requirement for this award is that the candidate must be an insurance customer service representative, or have primary responsibility for insurance customer service duties.
“The Outstanding CSR of the Year Award recognizes the annual exemplar for exceptional customer service representatives across the nation,” said Danielle Janecka, Senior Vice President of The National Alliance. “Through their essays, contributions to their agencies, and their letters of recommendation, every one of the state winners helps to raise the standard for personal and professional excellence. We honor them for their clear contributions to their colleagues, teams, and organizations. They are the face of customer service for our whole industry.”
Each state winner receives a framed certificate and is eligible to compete for the national honor, which carries a $2,000 cash award, a gold and diamond pin, $1,000 cash award for the nominator, and a scholarship for the recipient’s employer to any program offered by The National Alliance. Additionally, the name of the Outstanding CSR of the Year is inscribed on a sculpture permanently displayed at the national headquarters of The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research in Austin, Texas.
State Winners:
Alabama Edna A. Newcomer, CIC, CPIW Thompson Insurance, Inc.
Alaska Susan M. Blum, CISR Elite, AIC, LPCS Alaska USA Insurance Brokers
Arizona Cynthia Anne Munksgard CoBiz Insurance, Inc.
Arkansas Jordan C. Cross, CIC, CISR Regions Insurance Group, Inc.
California Christina Snyder, CIC, CISR, AINS Poms & Associates Insurance Brokers
Colorado Stacey Marie Neff, CIC, CISR Madison Insurance Group
Connecticut Jami Lynn McDonald, CISR Goodman Insurance, Inc.
Delaware Gail A. Wilkinson Williams Insurance Agency, Inc.
Florida Kellie S. Brandes, CRIS ThompsonBaker Agency
Georgia Alana M. Tompkins, CIC Norton, Lewis & Goro, LLC
Idaho Courtney Mitchell, CIC Associated Insurance Services, LLC
Illinois Cynthia Jordan, CISR, MLIS, NcAM The Plexus Groupe, LLC
Indiana Gina M. Floyd, CISR, AAI Old National Insurance
Iowa Jennifer Cook, CIC, CISR TrueNorth Companies
Kansas Lindsay D. Culver, CISR Truss, LLC
Kentucky Elizabeth Mae Manley, CIC, CISR, CPIA, Assured Partners NL
CWCC, PRIS
Louisiana Tanya A. Nel Gendusa Insurance Agency
Maryland Bethany Miller Atlantic Smith, Cropper & Deeley
Michigan Terri Lynn Majeski, CISR Ottawa Kent Insurance Agency
Minnesota Nattalie J. Rolland-Vath, CISR North Risk Partners CO Brown Division
Mississippi Kelsey Jeniece Purvis, CISR Ross & Yerger Insurance, Inc.
Missouri Beth A. Mann, CISR Capstone Insurors, Inc.
Montana Sherry Hill, CISR Hobson Insurance
Nevada Nixie Marie Hyslop Alpine Insurance Associates
New Mexico Danielle Darlene Montes High Country Agency, Inc.
New York Kelly Danielle McGowan, CISR Elite NBT-Mang Insurance Agency
North Carolina Kimberly Hopper Hurd Rakestraw Insurance Center, Inc.
Ohio Mary K. Prenger, CIC, CPSR Community Insurance Group
Oklahoma Linda L. Wright, CIC, CRIS Rooney Insurance Agency, Inc.
Oregon Gladys Monroy Boutwell, MBA PBP Insurance
Pennsylvania Tamika Lynn Thomas Berlanco Insurance Agency
Puerto Rico Isabel Marie Smith Ellerbe, CISR Aon Risk Solutions of Puerto Rico, Inc.
South Carolina Karen D. Fenters, CISR Strovis Insurance Agency, LLC
South Dakota Selda Baumberger, CIC, CISR Fischer, Rounds & Associates, Inc.
Tennessee Suzanne Elizabeth Seaton, CIC, CISR The Allison Insurance Group
Texas Tiffanie Louise Parker, CIC, CISR, API INSGROUP, Inc.
Utah Kristi Kay Lawson, CIC Poulton Insurance Services, Inc.
Virgin Islands Brenda Antonia Sells, CIC, CISR Theodore Tunick & Company
Virginia Freida Joanne Cooper, CISR, CPIA USI Insurance Services, LLC
Washington Anthony Schulz Prostar Insurance
Wisconsin Robyn S. Henslin, CIC, CISR Cobb Strecker Dunphy & Zimmermann
Wyoming Wendy J. Elmer, CIC Wyoming Financial Insurance
The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research, the nation’s premier provider of advanced educational opportunities for insurance and risk management professionals, includes the Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) Program, the Certified Risk Managers (CRM) Program, the Certified Insurance Service Representatives (CISR) Program, the Certified Personal Risk Managers Program (CPRM), the Certified School Risk Managers (CSRM) Program, the Dynamics Sales Training Series, the School for Producer Development, and The National Alliance Research Academy. For further information, contact The National Alliance, P.O. Box 27027, Austin, Texas 78755-2027; 800-633-2165; website: www.TheNationalAlliance.com.
Contact:
Danielle D. Janecka
Senior Vice President
The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research
512-349-6181; djanecka@scic.com
