National Alliance Names Outstanding CSRs for 2006

June 23, 2006

The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research, headquartered in Austin, Texas, announced the selection of the state winners of the 2006 National Outstanding CSR of the Year Award.

This award originated in 1991and recognizes the contributions of customer service representatives within the insurance community.

To qualify for the top state honor, candidates submitted an essay on the topic: "Three Great Ways for a CSR to Build Good Relationships with Company Underwriters." 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 honors the exceptional customer service representatives in the industry who have a thorough knowledge of insurance products and their customers' best interest at heart," said Danielle Janecka, vice president of The National Alliance. "These state-level winners said in their essays that they strive to respond promptly to underwriters' needs, while treating them with the utmost respect, professionalism, and integrity. They consider mutual respect and trust paramount to relationship-building."

Each state winner receives a framed certificate and is eligible to compete for the national honor, which carries a $1,000 cash award, a gold and diamond pin, 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.

Outstanding Customer Service Representatives of the Year for 2006:

Alabama: Sandra Dianne Freeman, CISR, CPIW
Arizona: Miriam Christensen, CISR
Arkansas: Stephanie Michelle McAllister, CISR
California: Kimberly D. White, CISR
Colorado: Julene Hill, AAI
Connecticut: Jo-Ann Angell, ACSR
Florida: Yvonneda Adams, ACSR, AAI
Georgia: Paula F. Cook, CPIW
Illinois: Kimberly A. Boucher, CISR
Indiana: Christine Kneifel
Iowa: Susan Von Arb, CISR, AIS
Kansas: Sharon H. Pressler
Louisiana: Teresa Kay Mastny
Massachusetts: Rosemarie Harrow, CISR
Maine: Charlene Anne Demarett, CISR
Maryland: Kathryn J. Ireland, CIC
Michigan: Tracey L. Hall, CIC, CISR
Minnesota: Lisa Folta, CIC, CRM, CISR
Mississippi: Kimberly S. Shows, CIC, CISR, CPIW
Nebraska: Jolene S. Schaa, CIC, CISR
New Jersey: Althene O. Rhoden
New York: Julie A. Freemire, CISR
North Carolina: Adena B. Lightner, CISR
Ohio: Lisa M. Gabel
Oklahoma: Sandra K. Goettel
Oregon: Cathy L. Rottle
Pennsylvania: Pai Ann Swanger, CISR
South Dakota: Karen A. Jergenson, CISR, CPIW, AIS, AU
Tennessee: Penny Lene'e Crafton, CISR
Texas: Michelle Bardwell
Utah: Kathy G. Ward, CISR
Virginia: Laura Elizabeth Crawford, ACSR
Washington: Sharnel K. Hawkins, CIC, CPCU
Wisconsin: Megan L. Rafko

Source: The National Alliance