Swingle named president of IIAT; Elbert and Braniff honored

The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas introduced new officers for the coming year at its 110th Annual Conference & Trade Show, held in early June in San Antonio. The IIAT also recognized the winners of its highest awards, the Drex G. Foreman Award and the Paige Eiland Award.

Frank Swingle, president of Swingle, Collins & Associates, Dallas, was elected IIAT president for 2007-2008. Swingle founded his agency in 1982 following a stint with Arthur Gallagher. A former president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Dallas, he was elected to the IIAT Board in 2002 after having served in many committee capacities.

Garry Kaufman of Galveston Insurance Associates was named president-elect. Kaufman has held leadership positions as a board member of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, and as a member of the governing committee and board for the Texas Fair Plan Association. He has been an IIAT director and served on the Windstorm and Catas-trophe Response task forces. Kaufman was IIAT Young Agent of the Year in 2003.

Bryan Shofner, president of Shofner & Associates Insurance Agency in Lubbock was elected vice president. Shofner joined his agency in 1986, achieved his ACSR designation in 1993 and was named IIAT Young Agent of the Year in 2001.

IIAT Executive Director David VanDelin-der will retain his position as secretary-treasurer. VanDelinder joined IIAT in 1982. He previously served as IIAT assistant executive director and director of education.

Drex G. Foreman Award
James Elbert, president of the Elbert Insurance Agency in Lake Jackson, was named winner of the 2007 Drex G. Foreman Award, the association’s highest award. The award honors Drex Foreman, who served as executive director of IIAT for 30 years.

Elbert began his professional life as a Methodist minister but left the ministry in 1971 and joined his father’s insurance agency. In 1983 he joined the former Jahn-Austin Insurance Agency in Galveston as vice president and general manager. In 1995 he returned to Lake Jackson and bought the Bennett Elbert Agency, now the Elbert Insurance Agency. Elbert has been actively involved with Texas windstorm issues, working to find common ground among insurance companies, agents, consumers and elected officials. He serves on the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association and the FAIR Plan board.

Paige Eiland Award
Tom Braniff, founder of Texas Insurance Consulting, Houston, was named winner of the 2007 Paige Eiland Award for Voluntary Political Action. A former independent agent, Braniff has been active in Texas politics for more than 30 years. The award honors Paige Eiland, a long-serving politically active IIAT member.