The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) honored two agents from South Central states with awards at the annual Big “I” Legislative Conference.
Lee Schilling of Louisiana is the 2016 recipient of the Sidney O. Smith Award and Robert W. Shepard of Texas received the 2016 Bernard J. Burns Award.
Schilling is president of Schilling & Reid Insurance in Amite, Louisiana. Shepard is the board chairman of Shepard Walton King Insurance Group in Harlingen, Texas.
The Sidney O. Smith Award is bestowed annually by the Big “I” and the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia upon an individual agent or broker for outstanding service to his or her peers and the national association in the field of government affairs. It is named in honor of an IIABA past president and Georgia agent who was instrumental in focusing the association and its members on legislative advocacy.
“The Big ‘I’ is proud to present the Sidney O. Smith Award to Lee Schilling for his tireless service as chairman of the Big ‘I’ government affairs committee and in numerous leadership roles at the state and national level,” said Spencer Houldin, Big “I” chairman. “During his tenure as chairman, Lee has overseen efforts on key issues such as flood insurance, NARAB II, terrorism insurance and health care, just to name a few. He has advocated on behalf of the Big ‘I’ and participated in the Legislative Conference for nearly two decades. Lee’s work ethic and dedication are a huge asset to the Big ‘I’ and to independent agents in Louisiana and across the country.”
The Bernard J. Burns Award is named after former Big “I” President Barney Burns, who founded InsurPac in 1975 and served as chairman of its board of trustees until 1983. During his tenure, Barney worked tirelessly to educate agents about the importance of being politically active.
“Bob Shepard served on the InsurPac Board of Trustees for three years and continues to be actively involved in fundraising for both InsurPac and the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas political action committees,” said Lee Schilling, Big “I” government affairs committee chairman, in presenting the award. “During his time on the InsurPac Board, Bob helped Texas significantly increase its support of InsurPac and capture three National Championship Awards. Not only is Bob Shepard a prolific fundraiser and contributor, but he also serves as a key grassroots contact for a number of federal officeholders.”
Source: IIABA
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