2014 Award Winners Recognized by Indiana Independent Agents

The Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana (IIAI) named its 2014 award winners during its annual convention. The following Indiana agents and companies were recognized:

Vickie Wolcott from M.J. Schuetz Insurance Services in Indianapolis is the recipient of the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana’s 2013 Harry P. Cooper, Jr Industry/Public Image Award.

Wolcott is president, chairman, principal and owner of M.J. Schuetz. She began there as a receptionist and has worked in every area of the agency during her tenure. Wolcott is extremely active in her community and in industry groups, and encourages her staff to be as well. She has participated on the boards of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction, Indiana Subcontractors Association, and the IIAI.

Wolcott also is active in numerous civic activities in Indianapolis. She is a volunteer for the Appalachia Service Project helping rebuild homes for low income families, Habitat for Humanity, and the East Tenth Street United Methodist Church. At IIAI, Wolcott has been a long-time participant in association activities. She is currently the vice president – secretary of the IIAI and has served on the board for several years.

Shepherd Insurance LLC, based in Carmel, Ind., has been recognized as the 2014 Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana (IIAI) Agency of the Year. Since it was founded in 1977, Shepherd Insurance has shown a steady line of growth across the board — from number of employees to number of branches to a near explosive growth in premium volume and policy count. Shepherd has employed a multi-faceted marketing plan that focuses on the Trusted Choice philosophy and the agency’s complete commitment to providing the correct solution for every client.

David Mettler from Mettler Agency in Huntington, Ind., received the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana’s 2014 Agent of the Year Award. Mettler is the vice president, chief financial officer and chief information officer for Mettler Agency, in addition to being a full-time producer.

Mettler is extremely active in the IIAI, serving in his second term on its board of directors and participating in numerous events and legislative functions. He is also civically active, participating in several facets of the Knights of Columbus and serving as a board member for his local Rotary.

George Zobel from Nationwide Insurance in Indianapolis has been awarded the 2014 IIAI Company Professional of the Year Award. Zobel is a commercial lines business development specialist for Nationwide. He is a graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in management and has obtained his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation.

Angela Parton from the Thompson Group in Parker City, Ind., was honored with the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana’s 2014 Distinguished Customer Service Award. Parton is a commercial lines customer service agent with The Thompson Group. She holds both a property and casualty and a life and health license and uses her knowledge of commercial insurance to assist the producers with whom she works in a myriad of ways.

Gregory Easley from RMD Patti Insurance and Financial Services in Richmond has been recognized as the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana’s 2014 Director of the Year. Easley was also instrumental in proposing and developing the new IIAI initiative of partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs.

Easley has served as the chair of the IIAI Convention Committee for the last two years and has been commended for his strong efforts in leading this committee in developing one of the top agent conventions in the country.

Jill Paris from Rupp Insurance in Carmel, Ind., received the 2014 IIAI Young Agent of the Year Award. She has been active in the Indiana Young Agents, serving as a member of YAC’s committee structure. She has helped Indiana YAC plan and implement its projects over the last several years, including the annual conference and its fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Paris is also active in her home community of Carmel by serving as a Carmel Chamber Ambassador, an Advisory and Planning Committee member for the Indiana Fire Junior Soccer Club, and as a board member for the Business Leaders of Hamilton County.

Source; Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana (IIAI)

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