Bush Campaign Manager to Address Young Agents

Ken Mehlman, Bush-Cheney re-election campaign manager and political expert, will speak to young agents at the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s annual National Legislative Conference, Young Agent-InsurPac Luncheon on April 21.

The National Legislative Conference is the industry’s best-attended, legislative meeting with more than 900 independent agents and brokers attending this year’s event, which will take place April 21 to 23 at the Capital Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C.

Mehlman previously served as director of White House political affairs for President George W. Bush, and was national field director for the Bush-Cheney 2000 campaign. During the 2000 presidential primaries, he was the Bush campaign’s Midwest regional political director. In this position, Mehlman managed the Iowa team and wrote and implemented the plan that produced Bush’s record-setting victory there. From 1996 to 1999, he was chief of staff for Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-Texas), and previously served as legislative director for Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) from 1994 to 1996.

Mehlman also worked on Bob Dole’s presidential campaign in 1996; the campaign of Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) in 1994; President George H.W. Bush’s 1992 re-election campaign; and William Weld’s successful 1990 campaign for governor of Massachusetts.

Highlights of the Big “I” National Legislative Conference will include an in-depth issues briefing session; the annual Big “I” congressional reception on Capitol Hill; appearances by numerous high-profile speakers; and hundreds of meetings on Capitol Hill between Big “I” agents and brokers and their elected representatives in the Congress.

Other prominent political leaders speaking to agents and brokers at the Big “I” event are Sen. George Allen (R-Va.), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee; Rep. Richard H. Baker (R-La.), chairman of the House Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises Subcommittee; and Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), ranking Democratic member on the House Financial Services Committee. Also, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Don Nickles (R-Okla.) will address the Big “I” leadership during the annual Insiders’ Luncheon held on April 20, immediately prior to the legislative conference.

The legislative meeting provides an excellent opportunity for agents and brokers to discuss important issues with their congressional representatives, including insurance regulatory reform, tort reform, passage of a flood insurance reauthorization and reform bill, and changes in the tax treatment of intangible assets.

The Young Agents-InsurPac Luncheon focuses on the national political climate, lobbying and political action committees (PACs) while also providing insight about getting involved at the local and national levels. State chairpersons of InsurPac—the Big “I” PAC and the largest in the property/casualty insurance industry—will join young agents for the luncheon.

The Big “I” provides young agents a special $100 registration fee. For more information, young agents should contact Leslie Mularski at (800) 221-7917 or leslie.mularski@iiaba.net.

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