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AUSTIN, TX (September 2026) Each year, a group of exceptional insurance professionals are selected to represent their states and then can 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 be eligible for the top state honor, the 2026 candidates submitted an essay on the following topic:
Reflect on what you love about this industry, what first drew you to it, what continues to inspire you, and why the work matters to you. Consider your professional journey, including key moments, challenges, or milestones that
have shaped your growth, the skills and values you are most proud of developing, and how these experiences have influenced the way you show up in your role. As part of this reflection, look ahead by sharing how your passions
and experiences continue to motivate you, the impact you hope to make moving forward, and how you see yourself contributing to the continued success and evolution of this industry.
Additionally, entrants must have demonstrated commendable service to their agencies, their industry, and their community.
2026 Outstanding CSR of The Year State Winners
| Alabama | Ava Lee Blevins | Higginbotham Insurance Agency |
| Arizona | Joely Jones, CISR Elite | Experian Insurance Service dba Gabi Personal Insurance |
| Arkansas | Brittany Hutton | McGhee Insurance Agency |
| Connecticut | Emma MacSweeney, CISR | C.V. Mason Insurance Agency |
| Delaware | Josselyn Raquel Lopez-Jimenez, CISR | The Insurance Market |
| Georgia | Katharine Peterson Neuhaus, CISR Elite | Legacy Risk Solutions |
| Idaho | Hailey Camille Ballard, PCIA, QPIS, QCLS | Hub International Mountain States, Ltd. |
| Illinois | Emma Gonzalez | Pachis & Associates, Inc. dba Pachis & Associates |
| Indiana | Michelle Benefiel, CISR, CSRM, CAWC | Beatty Insurance, Inc. |
| Kentucky | Jane Kinsella, ACSR | Higginbotham Insurance Agency |
| Louisiana | Stacy Tourres, CISR, AIS, AINS | TSL Insurance Group |
| Maine | Andre R. Tranchemontagne, CISR | Cross Insurance |
| Maryland | Melissa J. Hall | Gerety Insurance |
| Minnesota | Lisa Moulzolf, CISR, AIS, AINS | Primary Source Insurance dba Weizenegger Engel Insurance |
| Mississippi | Stephanie Smith, CISR | Higginbotham Insurance Agency |
| Missouri | Melissa Wallace, CISR, PCIA | Ollis Akers Arney |
| Nebraska | Jessica Millar | Jones Group |
| Nevada | Kenya Barisone-Agostino, CISR | AssuredPartners of Nevada, LLC / Gallagher & Company |
| New York | Angela Juarbes | Eli Cohen Agency |
| North Carolina | Maria Guadalupe Davis, CMIP | Marsh McLennan Agency |
| Ohio | Selena Stagnolia, CISR, CPRM | Knight Insurance Group |
| Pennsylvania | Caitlyn Altimus, CISR | Evergreen Insurance |
| South Carolina | Amy S. Watkins | Upchurch & Jowers Insurance Agency, Inc. |
| Tennessee | Lynette Berger, CISR | McIntire Insurance dba Insurance Incorporated |
| Texas | Madeline Gonzales, CIC, CISR | Higginbotham Insurance Agency |
| Virginia | Allison Murphy | Commonwealth Insurance Center |
| Wisconsin | Megan Belter, CIC, CISR | M3 Insurance Solutions, Inc. |
| Wyoming | Alyssa McCluskey, CISR, PCIA, QPIS | Hub International |
Risk & Insurance Education Alliance is the nation’s premier provider of educational opportunities for insurance and risk management professionals.
Contact: Danielle Janecka
Chief Experience Officer
512-349-6181; djanecka@riskeducation.org
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