Brown Named Public Affairs Manager at IIABA

Cliston Brown has been named manager of public affairs for the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America.

Brown comes to the Big “I” after two years as director of communications for Congressman Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.), a senior House Appropriations Committee member. His combination of Capitol Hill experience and seven years as a newspaper and magazine reporter made him a good fit to expand and enhance IIABA’s outreach to inside-the-Beltway and national media, according to the announcement.

“Cliston is an excellent addition to our team,” said Jeffrey Myers, IIABA vice president of communications. “He has a very strong résumé, and he comes to us highly recommended. His wealth of experience as a journalist gives him terrific insights into how to work most effectively with the news media. We believe he will do great work for us.”

Brown primarily will focus on communicating IIABA’s positions on a range of legislative concerns to independent agents and brokers and the media. He also will assist with Trusted ChoiceSM, the new consumer marketing brand for IIABA members; and the association’s Web site, among a number of other areas.

Brown, originally of Indiana, moved to Washington in October 2001 to work for Rep. Visclosky. Previously, he worked as a reporter covering intellectual-property law for Chicago-based Corporate Legal Times magazine from 2000 to 2001, and also for The Times of Northwest Indiana, the state’s second-largest daily newspaper, from 1995 to 2000.