|  Big “I” Nebraska and the IIAN Foundation are proud to announce the most recent recipients of our New Insurance Professional Scholarships!
The IIAN Foundation created this scholarship program in 2022 to help IIAN members early in their careers to earn a certificate or professional designation.
The First Year Scholarship for up to $500 is awarded to Emma Goosic of Adams Insurance Advisors. In her application essay, Emma wrote that whether it’s at work, in her community, or in her spare time, she is passionate about helping others. This passion, combined with her drive to enhance her skills and knowledge, has motivated her to pursue the Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation as the next step in her career. The 2-5 Year Scholarship for up to $1,000 is awarded to Katie McCaslin of Barney Insurance Group. Katie brings a unique perspective to the insurance industry, having been a small business owner for 15 years. Her passion for empowering clients and driving efficiency has already made a significant impact in her first couple of years at her agency. She sees the CISR designation as a key tool for developing both herself and her colleagues.
Thank you to all who applied; we love to see that members are passionate about furthering their education! |
| Recently, we’ve been exploring the gradual shift across industries toward skills-based hiring. This approach prioritizes the skills an individual brings to the table—such as digital fluency, problem-solving, critical thinking, leadership, communication, and adaptability—over traditional credentials. By focusing on competencies rather than resumes, organizations open new pathways for individuals from diverse backgrounds and signal to potential employees that they value capability above conventional qualifications.
However, new research from Korn Ferry suggests skills-based hiring plays another critical role.
The Trust Gap in Employee Value Propositions (EVPs)
Korn Ferry’s “Talent Trends 2025” report highlights a persistent challenge: job candidates are increasingly skeptical of companies’ employee value propositions (EVPs). This distrust isn’t without reason. Many EVPs have historically overpromised and underdelivered, leaving employees feeling disengaged and frustrated.
The consequences are stark. Organizations that promote cultural values without integrating them into their workforce practices experience higher turnover. According to Korn Ferry, 45% of HR professionals believe that integrating cultural values will be pivotal for talent attraction in 2025.
The Role of Skills-Based Hiring in Building TrustThis is where skills-based hiring can make a profound impact. This model provides a more transparent, meritocratic approach to career opportunities. It emphasizes continuous learning and transferable skill development over rigid qualification requirements. In doing so, it directly bolsters a company’s EVP by signaling a commitment to talent development, inclusivity, and a culture of growth.
For instance, prioritizing skills over degrees or traditional job titles allows organizations to tap into a broader and more diverse talent pool. By removing barriers such as strict educational requirements, companies create opportunities for talented individuals from non-traditional backgrounds. This approach not only enhances diversity efforts but also fosters innovation through diverse perspectives.
Additionally, skills-based hiring sends a clear message that a company is invested in its employees’ professional growth. Organizations that promote continuous learning and offer opportunities to acquire relevant skills demonstrate a commitment to advancement, even outside conventional career paths. In 2025, companies with an EVP focused on professional development will stand out in a competitive talent market.
Flexibility and Fit: The Key to Satisfaction and RetentionAnother advantage of skills-based hiring is the flexibility it brings to job roles. Instead of rigidly hiring for a specific job title, companies can focus on core competencies and craft roles that align with employees’ unique skill sets. This improves job fit, enabling employees to work on tasks that fully utilize their strengths. When organizations focus on aligning candidates’ skills with business needs, they create an environment where employees feel valued, engaged, and recognized. This alignment enhances performance, job satisfaction, and retention, fostering long-term loyalty.
The Path Ahead
As we move into 2025, organizations must critically evaluate their values, goals, and the skills necessary to achieve them. Crafting an authentic EVP will be essential—and skills-based hiring will undoubtedly play a vital role in this transformation.
By embracing this hiring model, companies can build trust, promote growth, and position themselves as employers of choice in a rapidly evolving labor market. In doing so, they’ll not only attract top talent but also foster a workplace culture that thrives on inclusivity, development, and shared success.
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| By Scott Freiday, InsurBanc Division Director
“Nothing is certain except death and taxes,” said Benjamin Franklin. For independent insurance agency owners considering a sale of their business, they may find the certainty of income taxes to be elusive for 2026. The looming uncertainty relates to the reality that when agency owners sell their business, it’s not what they get that is important, rather it is what they get to keep. Although agency owners often focus on the multiple of an agency’s revenues or cash flow that is used in calculating the sale price, the deal terms are equally significant. Most agency sales — but not all — involve the purchase of the agency’s assets rather than a stock purchase to limit the liability exposure of the buyer. The typical approach uses an installment payout and often involves an employment agreement with the agency owners that they will stay with the agency for a specified number of years —one, three or five years, for example — with an earnout provision relating to the final payment. The earnout provision is used to motivate the sellers to continue to increase the value of the agency during their employment. Even if they own 100% of the agency, agency owners have a silent partner in the sale: the taxman. Although the tax implications of an agency sale are often contemplated in structuring the deal, what is not known is the status of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA). Enacted in 2017, it lowered corporate tax rates to 21% and, for pass-through entities like S Corps, LLCs, LLPs and sole proprietors, it introduced a Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction of 20%. Approximately two-thirds of all independent insurance agencies are pass-through entities. Of great significance is that the TCJA lowered the capital gains rates in most cases. However, the TCJA is scheduled to sunset at the end of 2025, which means that tax rates will revert to pre-2017 levels, and the capital gains rate will be linked to the taxpayer’s ordinary income tax bracket as it was before the TCJA was enacted. Regardless of which party wins the November election, in an era of massive federal deficits there are political uncertainties about the ability to renew the TCJA. If not renewed, the after-tax earnings of agency owners will decrease, and the net sale proceeds will be lower on an after-tax basis. Agency owners who are not yet ready for a total sale of the agency may be more motivated to sell a portion of their agency during 2024 and 2025. A partial sale of the agency to a key staff member (or members) accomplishes two objectives: - It helps perpetuate the agency by retaining key staff and establishing the future leadership regime. A stock purchase loan can be arranged to provide funding for the partial sale.
- It assists the agency owners in diversifying their personal balance sheet and provides for tax efficiency of their return on assets.
Consider a stockholder loan Keith Mangini, VP Commercial Lending,for InsurBanc, cites an example. “We recently helped a second-generation agency owner address his need to retain a key producer by using the vested value of his book of business in conjunction with capital that we provided in the form of a stockholder loan, which served as the basis for purchasing a minority interest in the entire agency. This solved the needs of both the agency owner and key staffer,” he explains. “Further, it reassured other agency staff that there is a perpetuation plan in place, creating a certainty about the agency’s future.” The psychological advantage of using a stockholder loan to facilitate a partial sale of the agency is that agency owners often procrastinate when it comes to perpetuating their agency. Industry consultants recommend that planning for perpetuation should ideally start 10 years, but certainly no later than five years before the planned agency sale or their exit from the agency. Since the stockholder loan necessitates an agency valuation, it establishes a process for future agency transactions and helps overcome the tendency to procrastinate. With a stockholder loan, customarily there is a buy-back feature that provides the agency with the first right of purchase of the minority ownership. Regarding the potential reversion at the end of 2025 to higher tax rates, the agency owners can take advantage of current capital gains rates and diversify their personal balance sheet. Or they can use the proceeds to invest in the agency’s capabilities, acquire a smaller agency, or recruit other insurance professionals with specific expertise to serve a target industry. Now, while the tax environment is known, is an opportune time for agency owners to reassess their personal timeline. If your agency has been procrastinating on its perpetuation plan, keep in mind that as Caesar was warned that “The Ides of March are approaching,” so too is the potential sunset of the TCJA at the end of 2025.
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|  December InsurBanc Endowed Speaker Session Featuring Anna Irwin
December 10, 2 p.m. CTHave you ever been so emotionally exhausted that it felt like you have nothing else to give?
Have you lost your joy for life? If so, you aren’t alone.
This level of heaviness isn’t relieved with a bubble bath or a walk around the block, but it’s also not possible for most women to rearrange their
lives to create completely different circumstances. So how do we find the rhythm of a middle ground? This session of exploring how the body + brain connection = well-being will help you explore strategies to determine how to let go of what isn’t
working in your world and embrace the people and projects that give you room to thrive.
It’s time to reclaim your energy, rediscover your joy, and breathe again.
JOIN ON ZOOM
About Anna Irwin:
Anna Irwin's "official title" is People Development Specialist focusing in the people skills arena. However, the most important thing for you to
know about Anna is her utter passion for helping individuals master their communication and leadership skills, so that they become an
invaluable member on any team they are part of in all areas of their life. Anna's style is thought provoking and interactive to insure takeaways
that can be used immediately in business or personal settings. Anna has worked with numerous organizations across the USA and
Internationally in an effort to improve their leadership, communication and team cohesiveness skills. Anna holds a BA in Communication from
UCO and a MBA in Organizational Behavior from Boston University. Anna has worked in multiple corporate environments to hone her
knowledge, and has over twenty years experience in the arena of training, facilitating and coaching.
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As we approach the new year, I find myself reflecting on the current state of my organization, assessing broader market trends in our industry, and planning for the year ahead. Along the way, I even sharpen a few pencils, metaphorically speaking. One thing that has stood out during my review this year is the increasingly tricky employment market and the challenges facing both hiring organizations and job seekers. Margins are tightening, job growth is projected to slow through 2025, and unemployment is on the rise. On top of that, finding the right candidates for the right roles remains a persistent challenge.
A recent survey of independent insurance professionals by Vertafore revealed that 40% of hiring managers are struggling to find enough candidates, and more than half are dealing with underqualified applicants. At the same time, job seekers feel that the market is working against them. According to Forbes, over 70% of job seekers believe it’s difficult to find a job right now, citing fewer openings and shifting employer expectations.
What truly surprised me, however, was this statistic from Vertafore’s survey: one-third of independent insurance professionals entered the industry after working in another field. This means a significant portion of successful individuals in insurance may not have had the “right” keywords or experience listed on their resumes based on traditional job descriptions—but they are thriving nonetheless.
This points to a major opportunity for improvement in our hiring practices. The solution? Skills-based hiring.
What is skills-based hiring?It’s the practice of evaluating candidates based on their skills and experience rather than traditional qualifications like specific degrees or years in a particular role. Instead of screening candidates with criteria like “a bachelor’s degree in business or finance” or “a minimum of 5 years of experience as a claims adjuster,” job postings would focus on requirements such as “strong analytical thinking and the ability to assess complex information” or “proven success in negotiating settlements.” The technology used to craft job posts and filter candidates would also be aligned with this skills-focused approach.
Skills-based hiring not only widens the talent pool for organizations struggling to find qualified candidates, but it also has the potential to improve the quality of hires. According to Vertafore, skills-based hiring can:
- Attract candidates from diverse educational and professional backgrounds, bringing fresh perspectives and improving client representation;
- Better match employees to roles, leading to higher engagement and job satisfaction;
- Reduce unconscious bias and foster more objective hiring processes;
- Create a more adaptable and flexible workforce.
It’s a no-brainer: we need to embrace skills-based hiring to ensure we build the most productive and engaged teams. But if your organization isn’t yet using this approach, how do you get started?
First, identify the core competencies required for each role you’re hiring for, and update your job descriptions to focus on these skills. Then, revise your hiring process to assess candidates based on these competencies, using both technology and interviews to evaluate their potential.
This is where WAHVE excels. Our Talent Acquisition Outsourcing model combines AI-powered technology with human-led interviews, making skills-based hiring easy and effective. In fact, we boast a 90% success rate—nearly double the industry average.
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|  Your Medicare Advantage Clients Can Help Shape Change
Over the last several months, we have seen increasing tension build between insurance carriers offering Medicare Advantage plans and healthcare providers, particularly in rural parts of the state. This issue came to a head a few weeks ago when Great Plains Health in North Platte opted to terminate its participation in WellCare/Centene and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska’s Medicare Advantage plans.
The Big "I" believes the agents’ role in this fight is to advocate for your clients, the patients, who are now facing the real-world repercussions. In order to assist with advocacy on behalf of your clients, we are asking agents with Medicare Advantage plan insureds to solicit testimonials, as you feel comfortable, regarding the impact the change in network providers has had on them.
We are interested in hearing both about their ability to conveniently access providers and additional costs incurred by these individuals as patients. Testimonials do not need to be long, and would ideally be under 500 words. With their consent, we would like to use these testimonials with policymakers and industry stakeholders, and would only identify the client with their first name, last initial, and town or county.
Please send any testimonials to office@biginebraska.org. Thank you for your assistance and continued support of Nebraskans.
View Agent Notice
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| Nebraska Strategies has provided the following election results roundup as a benefit to your Big "I" membership. Check it out!
Results* for Nebraska's federal delegation races, ballot initiatives, and legislative races are below.
Nebraska held elections for all five of its federal seats this year, with U.S. Sen. Ricketts re-elected to a two-year term. U.S. Sen. Fischer's race was one of the closest races pre-election, but she was able to defend her incumbency. Rep. Don Bacon's seat was also at risk in his rematch against State Sen. Tony Vargas, but the seat remains Republican despite VP Harris winning the district's electoral college vote.
Nebraskans considered six ballot initiatives, including two competing abortion initiatives and medical marijuana.
Elections for 25 of the 49 legislative seats were on the 2024 ballot. There were 13 seats open due to term limits, two open due to incumbents not seeking reelection, and ten incumbents ran for reelection. Chairs for eight of the 14 Standing Committees were term-limited.
The Legislature was comprised of 33 Republicans, 15 Democrats, and 1 Independent. If the results of the General Election remain unchanged, the composition of the Legislature will stay the same, although four seats flipped their party affiliation.
Officially, the Nebraska Legislature is a non-partisan body and candidates run without party affiliation. Nearly two-thirds of the Legislature will have two years of experience or less in the 2025 Session. |
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*Dodge and Saunders Counties were not fully reporting at 5 a.m. Nov. 6; results could affect the outcome of the Dist. 15 and 23 legislative races.
Additional early ballots and provisional ballots counted in the coming days and weeks could also impact the outcome of some results. |
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U.S. SENATE - SIX-YEAR TERM
Republican Deb Fischer (53.80%)
Independent Dan Osborn (46.20%)
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U.S. SENATE - TWO-YEAR TERM
Republican Pete Ricketts (63.05%)
Democrat Preston Love Jr. (36.95%)
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U.S. CONGRESS - DISTRICT 1
Republican Mike Flood (60.30%)
Democrat Carol Blood (39.70%)
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U.S. CONGRESS - DISTRICT 2
Republican Don Bacon (51.18%)
Democrat Tony Vargas (48.82%)
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U.S. CONGRESS - DISTRICT 3
Republican Adrian Smith (80.43%)
Democrat Daniel Ebers (19.57%)
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ABORTION
Initiative Measure #434 - PASSED Amends the Nebraska Constitution to provide that unborn children shall be protected from abortion in the second and third trimesters, except when a woman seeks an abortion necessitated by a medical emergency or when the pregnancy results from sexual assault or incest.For (55.25%)
Against (44.75%) Initiative Measure #439 - FAILED Amends the Nebraska Constitution to provide all persons the fundamental right to abortion without interference from the state or its political subdivisions until fetal viability, or when needed to protect the life or health of the pregnant patient.For (48.62%)
Against (51.38%) |
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EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS
Initiative Measure #435 - REPEALED Repeals Section 1 of LB 1402 (2024), which directs $10 million dollars annually for financial grants-in-aid for eligible students to attend a qualifying privately operated elementary or secondary school in Nebraska.Retain (42.92%)
Repeal (57.08%) |
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PAID SICK LEAVE
Initiative Measure #436 - PASSED Requires enactment of a statute to provide eligible employees the right to earn paid sick time for personal or family health needs:- Up to 40 hours of earned paid sick time per year for those employed by employers with fewer than 20 employees; or
- Up to 56 hours of earned paid sick time per year for those employed by employers with 20 or more employees;
And to specify conditions for accruing and using earned paid sick time, prohibit retaliation against an employee for exercising rights granted under the statute, adopt certain notice and documentation requirements, and establish enforcement powers and a civil cause of action for violations of the statute.For (74.26%)
Against (25.74%) |
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MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Initiative Measure #437 - PASSED Requires enactment of a statute that decriminalizes the use, possession, and acquisition of limited quantities of cannabis for medical purposes by a qualified patient with a written recommendation from a health care practitioner, and for a caregiver to assist a qualified patient in these activities.For (70.74%)
Against (29.26%) Initiative Measure #438 - PASSED Requires enactment of a statute that decriminalize the possession, manufacturing, distribution, delivery, and dispensing of cannabis for medical purposes by registered private entities and establishes a Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to regulate such entities.For (66.94%)
Against (33.06%) |
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Robert "Bob" Hallstrom (51.83%)
Dennis Schaardt (48.17%)
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Incumbent Sen. Julie Slama (R) did not seek reelection. |
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Robert "Bob" Hallstrom - Republican
- Syracuse
- Partner at Brandt, Horan, Hallstrom & Stilmock
- Nebraska Bankers Association General Counsel
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Victor Rountree (50.61%)
Ben "Felix" Ungerman (49.39%)
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Incumbent Sen. Carol Blood (D) was term limited. |
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Victor Rountree - Democrat
- Bellevue
- Endure to the End Ministries Senior Pastor and Founder
- Retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant
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Margo Juarez (57.33%)
Gilbert Ayala (42.67%)
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Incumbent Sen. Mike McDonnell (R) was term limited. He was elected as a Democrat. |
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Margo Juarez - Democrat
- Omaha
- Member of the Omaha Public School Board
- Retired Employee of the IRS and Social Security Administration
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Dunixi Guereca (57.41%)
Tim Pendrell (42.59%)
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Incumbent Sen. Tony Vargas (D) was term limited. |
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Dunixi Guereca - Democrat
- Omaha
- Executive Director at Stand for Schools
- National Youth Democrats of America DNC Representative
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Sen. John Cavanaugh (70.27%)
Julia Palzer (29.73%)
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Sen. John Cavanaugh - Incumbent - Democrat
- Omaha
- Attorney for the Douglas County Defender’s Office
- Legislative Committees: General Affairs; Natural Resources; Urban Affairs; Justice Oversight; Midwestern Higher Education Compact; and Planning Committee
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Incumbent Sen. Terrell McKinney ran unopposed after former Sen. Ernie Chambers denied the primary nomination.
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Sen. Terrell McKinney - Incumbent - Democrat
- Omaha
- Community Organizer for Nebraska Appleseed
- Legislative Committees: Business & Labor; Judiciary; Urban Affairs
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Ashlei Spivey (50.15%)
Nick Batter (49.85%)
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Incumbent Sen. Justin Wayne (D) was term limited. |
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Ashlei Spivey - Democrat
- Omaha
- Founder of I Be Black Girl
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Dave Wordekemper (52.22%)
Roxie Kracl (47.78%)
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Incumbent Sen. Lynne Walz (D) was term limited. |
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Dave Wordekemper - Republican
- Fremont
- Firefighter
- Eastern Vice President of the Nebraska Professional Fire Fighter Association
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Glen Meyer (52.37%)
Mike Albrecht (47.63%)
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Incumbent Sen. Joni Albrecht (R) was term limited. |
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Glen Meyer - Republican
- Pender
- Chairman of the Thurston County Board of Supervisors
- Former Thurston School Board Member
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Sen. Rob Dover (54.48%)
Jeanne Reigle (45.52%)
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Sen. Rob Dover - Incumbent - Republican
- Norfolk
- President of Whitecliff Development Inc., Coldwell Banker Dover Realtors, Dover Management Company, and American Title & Escrow
- Legislative Committees: Appropriations; Statewide Tourism & Recreation Water Access & Resource Sustainability (STAR WARS)
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Sen. Beau Ballard (55.68%)
Seth Derner (44.32%)
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Sen. Beau Ballard - Incumbent - Republican
- Lincoln
- Owner and Founder of BJB Strategies and The Rabbit Hole Bakery
- Legislative Committees: Banking, Commerce & Insurance; Health & Human Services; Executive Board; Legislative Oversight Review; and Statewide Tourism & Recreation Water Access & Resource Sustainability (STAR WARS)
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Jared Storm (55.33%)
Dennis Fujan (44.67%)
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Incumbent Sen. Bruce Bostelman (R) was term limited. |
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Jared Storm - Republican
- David City
- Owner of Storm Flying Service
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Sen. Carolyn Bosn (53.17%)
Nicki Behmer Popp (46.83%)
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Sen. Carolyn Bosn - Incumbent - Republican
- Lincoln
- Former Lancaster County Prosecutor
- Legislative Committees: Judiciary; Transportation & Telecommunications
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Jason Prokop (52.34%)
Dawn Liphardt (47.66%)
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Incumbent Sen. Anna Wishart (D) was term limited. |
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Jason Prokop - Democrat
- Lincoln
- Director of First Five Nebraska
- Former Senior Advisor to former U.S. Senator Ben Nelson
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Incumbent Sen. Eliot Bostar (D) ran unopposed.
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Sen. Eliot Bostar - Incumbent - Democrat
- Lincoln
- Nonprofit Executive
- Legislative Committees: Banking, Commerce & Insurance; Revenue; Committee on Committees; Rules; Executive Board; Legislative Oversight Review; Planning Committee; Statewide Tourism & Recreation Water Access & Resource Sustainability (STAR WARS)
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Sen. Kathleen Kauth (54.52%)
Mary Ann Folchert (45.48%)
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Sen. Kathleen Kauth - Incumbent - Republican
- Omaha
- Founder and President of K.T. Beck Enterprises, LLC
- Legislative Committees: Banking, Commerce & Insurance; Revenue; Education Commission of the States
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Dan Lonowski (67.34%)
Michelle Smith (32.66%)
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Incumbent Sen. Steve Halloran (R) was term limited. |
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Dan Lonowski - Republican
- Hastings
- Project Manager at Area Substance & Alcohol Abuse Prevention (ASAAP)
- Retired Army Colonel
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Former Sen. Dan Quick (50.64%)
Sen. Ray Aguilar (49.36%)
*Because of the margin of victory, this race could be subject to a recount if requested by the losing candidate.
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Former Sen. Dan Quick - Democrat
- Grand Island
- Former Nebraska State Senator for District 35
- Former President of Central Nebraska Central Labor Council
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Stanley "Stan" Clouse (58.81%)
Lana Peister (41.19%)
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Incumbent Sen. John Lowe (R) was term limited. |
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Stanley "Stan" Clouse - Republican
- Kearney
- Mayor of Kearney
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Tony Sorrentino (52.32%)
Allison Heimes (47.68%)
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Incumbent Sen. Lou Ann Linehan (R) was term limited. |
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Tony Sorrentino - Republican
- Elkhorn
- Adjunct Professor of Law at Creighton University
- President and Founder of Health Plan Fiduciary Guides
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Daniel McKeon (52.02%)
Ethan Clark (47.98%)
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Appointed incumbent Sen. Fred Meyer (R) did not seek election. |
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Daniel McKeon - Republican
- Amherst
- Farmer
- Army Veteran
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Tanya Storer (60.77%)
Tony Tangwall (39.23%)
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Incumbent Sen. Tom Brewer (R) was term limited. |
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Tanya Storer - Republican
- Whitman
- Rancher
- Former Cherry County Commissioner and Nebraska Brand Committee Vice-Chairman
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Sen. Rita Sanders (52.88%)
Sarah Centineo (47.12%)
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Sen. Rita Sanders - Incumbent - Republican
- Bellevue
- Co-Owner of Richmont Village Retirement
- Legislative Committees: Education; Government, Military & Veterans Affairs; Committee on Committees
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Paul Strommen (77.20%)
Larry Bolinger (22.80%)
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Incumbent Sen. Steve Erdman (R) was term limited. |
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Paul Strommen - Republican
- Sidney
- Sidney City Councilmember and Vice Mayor
- Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation Commissioner
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Bob Andersen (52.15%)
Sen. Jen Day (47.85%)
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Bob Andersen - Republican
- Omaha
- Defense Contractor at Offutt Air Force Base
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 With so much at stake in this election, your support of InsurPac and IIANPAC has never been more critical. Help us ensure a strong voice for our industry and protect the future of independent agents!
PROTECT MY INDUSTRY
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| ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) is pleased to announce that Progressive Insurance has donated $800,000 to the Trusted Choice Relief Fund, furthering efforts to support independent insurance agents, brokers and other insurance professionals impacted by disasters including floods, hurricanes and wildfires.
Since its inception in 2007, the fund has provided millions of dollars of quick, critical financial relief to those in the independent agency channel, ensuring they can recover swiftly and continue serving their communities after catastrophes.
Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the fund has issued grants to applicants affected by damage to their businesses, homes, automobiles and other belongings. These funds bridge the gaps where insurance and other sources of funds are not available. Applicants use the fund grants to secure accommodations, replace equipment, and purchase everyday essentials like clothing, transportation and recovery tools.
Progressive’s generous donation will help agents on the front lines fulfill their promises to customers and remain valuable resources in their communities while recovery efforts continue.
“Independent agents are an integral part of our business and following the recent hurricanes, we’ve learned many who have been working tirelessly assisting our mutual customers to begin the recovery process have also been personally impacted by the devastation,” said Tricia Griffith, Progressive president and CEO. “We’re committed to ensuring agents have access to immediate support so they can rebuild their lives and businesses and continue helping their clients. We encourage all agents and agency employees affected by recent disasters across the country and in need of financial support to consider applying and taking advantage of these grants.”
Charles Symington, Big “I” president & CEO, also encouraged agents who need help now or in the future to apply for a grant and thanked Progressive for its unwavering commitment to the independent agency channel.
"The Trusted Choice Relief Fund is here to support independent insurance agents and their staff through the challenges a major disaster brings, and we are grateful for Progressive’s partnership and continued generosity in supporting the fund,” Symington said. “It’s a critical lifeline for our members who are often the ones helping others, but now find themselves in need when their workplaces or employees have been impacted. Thanks to substantial contributions like this, we can provide financial aid when and where it’s needed.”
Independent insurance agents in disaster-affected areas are encouraged to review the fund guidelines and apply for assistance. Those who wish to donate can make a contribution online.
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|  Above: Friends of Greg Donsbach, including present and former Method Insurance team members, gather to honor his memory at the 1st annual golf outing on Sept. 30.
Brian Bradley, Jared Ohl, and Kelly Brink proudly represented the Big 'I' on Sept. 30 at Indian Creek Golf Course during a new golf outing held in memory of Greg Donsbach.
Organized by Julie Richt of Lucid Insurance, the event raised funds for the Greg Donsbach Memorial Foundation, which will continue his legacy through education and providing new opportunities.
He had a passion for insurance, finance, and business, but most importantly people. He created a lot of jobs, positions, and assisted people's careers like no one else in the insurance industry. He was extremely influential in aligning people into positions to create a dynamic success for everyone. He believed in people and pushed them to grow in ways they maybe did not know they could.
In collaboration with the IIAN Foundation, the Greg Donsbach Memorial Foundation will be used to provide college scholarships for those who seek careers in insurance, business, and entrepreneurship. Providing college scholarships in Greg's name and honor only seems like a little contribution compared to the impact he had on so many others.
"We strive to continue his legacy and provide young professionals the opportunity to "Make It Happen" in the future." |
|  Independent Insurance Agents of Nebraska (IIAN) has been recognized by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) as a Diamond Elite recipient of the 2024 Excellence in Insurance Education Award.
The Diamond Elite award is highest level of recognition, given to those states that have earned Diamond awards for 10 or more consecutive years, a testament to IIAN's commitment to education. The EIE awards celebrate and recognize state associations and staff who have made significant contributions to education for their members and the industry in the key area of class offerings, continuing education (CE), professionalism, designation offerings, industry collaboration, planning goals, marketing and resources.
IIAN is an elite provider of professional development resources for the independent insurance channel. See our offerings illustrated below: Resources for
New Hires
| Agency Personnel Professional Development
| Additional Association Resources
| Become an insurance producer
| ABEN courses
High quality CE webinars
| Flood Certification
Start selling flood insurance
| New Hire Training Program
Start your new hires on the right track | Virtual University
Agency management resources, research library
| Offered twice a year
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| Boost productivity and refine operations
| Offered twice a year
| NExtgen
Young Agents program | CISR Designation
Further your knowledge of risks and exposures
| Level up your leadership skills and empower your team |
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Compliance Details javascript:if (typeof CalloutManager !== 'undefined' && Boolean(CalloutManager) && Boolean(CalloutManager.closeAll)) CalloutManager.closeAll(); commonShowModalDialog('{SiteUrl}'+
'/_layouts/15/itemexpiration.aspx'
+'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}', 'center:1;dialogHeight:500px;dialogWidth:500px;resizable:yes;status:no;location:no;menubar:no;help:no', function GotoPageAfterClose(pageid){if(pageid == 'hold') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+
'/_layouts/15/hold.aspx'
+'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'audit') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+
'/_layouts/15/Reporting.aspx'
+'?Category=Auditing&backtype=item&ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'config') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+
'/_layouts/15/expirationconfig.aspx'
+'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;}}, null); 0x0 0x1 ContentType 0x01 898
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Newly received or noteworthy information, especially about recent or important events.
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