View this article online: https://www.insurancejournal.com/services/newswire/2019/07/10/531472.htm
Austin, TX, July 10, 2019 – Each year, a group of exceptional insurance professionals are chosen by The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research to represent their states and compete to become the National Outstanding CSR of the Year. This prestigious award, regarded as the foremost national award of its kind, recognizes the contributions and commitment of those who serve clients within the insurance industry.
To qualify for the top state honor, the 2019 candidates submitted an essay on the following topic:
“Many agencies recognize the professionalism and knowledge of Account Managers and CSRs who successfully weave sales into their day-to-day responsibilities. Please summarize the sales training (if any) you’ve received from your agency or company and discuss what you believe are the three (3) most effective sales techniques or tools that make you a better Account Manager/CSR.”
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.
“Only the most exceptional customer service representatives from across the nation can compete for The Outstanding CSR of the Year Award,” said Danielle Janecka, Head of Participant Experience at The National Alliance. “As exemplified in their competition essays, their agency contributions, and letters of recommendation from peers, every one of the state winners raises the standard for personal and professional excellence in the risk and insurance industry. We honor them for the clear value they bring to their colleagues, teams, and organizations.”
Each state winner receives a framed certificate and is eligible to compete for the national honor. The National Winner will receive a $2,000 cash award, and a gold and diamond pin. A $1,000 cash award is awarded to the nominator of the National Winner, and the recipient’s employer receives a scholarship to attend 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 headquarters of The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research in Austin, Texas.
The following is a list of the 2019 Outstanding CSR of The Year State Winners.
State Winners:
| Alabama | Ms. Jamie L. Hooie, CIC, CISR, CPIW, PIAM, DAE | Thompson Insurance, Inc. |
| Alaska | Ms. Anna K. Crocker, CISR Elite | Marsh & McLennan Agency |
| Arizona | Ms. Kristin J. Paul, CIC | Hester, Heitel & Associates, LLC |
| Arkansas | Ms. Mary Katherine Henderson, CIC | Insurance Center, Inc. |
| California | Ms. Marcella R. Beasley, MA, CISR, CRIS, CLP | Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. |
| Connecticut | Ms. Fernanda Ashberg, CIC, CPIA, AAI, ACSR, AINS, AIS | Tooher Ferraris Insurance Group |
| Florida | Ms. Kristin E. Hurst, CISR | The Browning Agency |
| Georgia | Ms. Sonya Thompson, CISR Elite | The Baldwin Agency, Inc. |
| Idaho | Ms. Shellie W. Newman, CISR Elite | Archibald Leavitt Insurance |
| Illinois | Ms. Jessica N. Eyler | PLR Insurance |
| Indiana | Ms. Denise Shelton | Hoffman Insurance Group |
| Iowa | Ms. Kate Schulte, CLCS | Holmes Murphy & Associates |
| Kansas | Ms. Renea L. Faulds | Tru Insurance Services |
| Kentucky | Ms. Tessa B. Mullen | Gartman Insurance |
| Maine | Mr. David M. Jensen, CISR | Cross Insurance Agency |
| Maryland | Ms. Laura A. Kellner, ACSR, AAI | HUB International |
| Michigan | Ms. Laura J. Connolly, CISR Elite | Hartland Insurance Agency |
| Minnesota | Ms. Joan M. Ebert, CIC | Weizenegger Engel Insurance |
| Missouri | Ms. Bethany N. Kensinger, CISR, CSRM, ARM, PWCAM | Ollis/Akers/Arney |
| Nebraska | Ms. Katie J. Bohrer, CISR | Peterson Bros Insurance |
| Nevada | Ms. Emily Linnell | AssuredPartners Consulting |
| New Mexico | Ms. Victoria M. Lynchesky, CIC | J.S. Ward & Son, Inc. |
| New York | Ms. Jennifer L. Vizza, CISR | Market Alternatives, LLC |
| North Carolina | Ms. Jennifer Flannery, CISR | |
| Ohio | Ms. Karla Meyer, CIC, CPRM, CISR | W.P. Dolle, LLC |
| Oklahoma | Ms. Susan M. Lucas, CISR | Sullivan Insurance Agency |
| Oregon | Ms. Kristi Tanner-Miller | Barker Uerlings Insurance |
| Pennsylvania | Ms. Morgan R. Sweeney, CIC, CISR | Lechner & Stauffer, Inc. |
| South Carolina | Ms. Lisa M. Earnhardt, CISR | Creech Roddey Watson Insurance |
| South Dakota | Ms. Barbara J. Henrich, CISR, AU | Howalt-McDowell Insurance,
a Marsh & McLennan Agency, LLC |
| Tennessee | Ms. Connie M. Eadie, CIC, CISR | Brown & Brown Insurance of Tennessee |
| Texas | Mr. Jeremiah Gonzales, CIC | Higginbotham |
| Utah | Ms. Kiersten Moore | Moreton & Company |
| Virginia | Mr. Kyle M. Persinger, CISR | USI Insurance Services, LLC |
| Washington | Ms. Neely A. Lorimer, CISR Elite | NFP |
| Wisconsin | Ms. Haylie Schmit, CISR | M3 Insurance |
| Wyoming | Ms. Danielle Capps, CIC, CISR | Wyoming Financial Services, Inc. |
The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research, the nation’s premier provider of advanced educational opportunities for insurance and risk management professionals, includes the Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) Program, the Certified Risk Managers (CRM) Program, the Certified Insurance Service Representatives (CISR) Program, the Certified Personal Risk Managers Program (CPRM), the Certified School Risk Managers (CSRM) Program, the Dynamics Sales Training Series, and The National Alliance Research Academy. For further information, contact The National Alliance, P.O. Box 27027, Austin, Texas 78755-2027; 800-633-2165; website: www.TheNationalAlliance.com.
Media Contact:
Danielle D. Janecka
Head of Participant Experience
The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research
512-349-6181
djanecka@scic.com