Acord New Head of Trusted Choice Branding Initiative

Larry Acord, with 25 years of experience in company and agency branding and marketing, is the new vice president of Trusted ChoiceSM.

Acord, who formerly was vice president of sales and communications for National Grange Mutual, a subsidiary of the Main Street America Group, assumed his new post this week.

“Larry brings a wealth of unique experience to Trusted ChoiceSM that will be indispensable as he takes the branding program to its next level of achievement,” Robert Rusbuldt, CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) said. “Larry was intimately involved in the development of Trusted ChoiceSM as an executive of an insurance company partner in the program and played a key advisory role with the brand since it was introduced to the industry and consumers. This knowledge will allow him to hit the ground running as we work to encourage more agencies and brokerages as well as companies to join the growing Trusted ChoiceSM branding movement.”

In addition to his work for Main Street America Group, Acord served on several industry commissions and has received awards in recognition of his contributions to the future of the industry and the independent agency system. He also served as a member of IIABA’s Future One Board of Directors, Council for Best Practices and the Association’s former National Communications Program.

Acord began his career in insurance at Allstate as an agent and held several field- and home-office leadership positions at the company, including in its independent agency channel.

Acord joined National Grange Mutual in 1997 as vice president of marketing and was promoted to vice president of sales and communications in 2001.