This week, during the 2024 Big “I" Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C, the Big “I" presented several awards to the members that represent the best of the Big “I."

The awards recognize members who have gone to great lengths in their service to the insurance industry, their community and the association. Here are this year's winners:

Woodworth Memorial Award: BeBe Canter

During the Big “I" Legislative Breakfast on Thursday, Mike McBride, Big “I" chairman and president of Mason-McBride in Troy, Michigan, presented Louise “BeBe" Canter, former Big “I" president and senior vice president of USI Insurance Services in Falls Church, Virginia, with the 2024 Woodworth Memorial Award—the highest honor the Big “I" bestows on an individual member.

The prestigious award, established in 1925 in memory of the second Big “I" president C.H. Woodworth, recognizes the outstanding contributions of an independent agent or broker to the national association, to their Big “I" colleagues, and to the insurance industry.

Canter is a pioneer in the independent agency system. She was the first woman to serve as Big “I" president, serving her term in 2003-2004. 

On the state level, she served as the president of the Metropolitan Washington Association of Independent Insurance Agents (MWAIIA), the first woman to hold that leadership position. She has also held many other leadership positions in the district association.

“Notably, her unwavering commitment to the Big “I" remains for more than two decades after her term as president," McBride said as he presented the award. “Since then, she's still a frequent attendee at this event—our Legislative Conference—and at our Fall Leadership Conference. She's consistently a major InsurPac donor, and continues to dedicate her time selflessly to her association and to the independent agency channel." 

In addition to her longstanding service to the Big “I," Canter (pictured center with McBride, left, and Big "I" President & CEO Charles Symington) served for six years on the CNA Branch PACER Agent Panel, becoming the first woman to chair the panel. She was a member of the D.C. Society of CPCU Board of Directors, on the D.C. Society of CPCU Howard University Scholarship Committee, and held several other leadership roles.

"This is indeed a great honor," Canter said as she accepted the award, joined onstage by her family. “When I was growing up in the association all these many years, I always thought of the Woodworth Memorial Award as the epitome of agent dedication and professionalism, and it's those values that made me want to be involved with the association and what's kept me involved over 40 years." 

Herndon Award: Big I New York

Yesterday, during the Big “I" Legislative Breakfast, Charles Symington, Big “I" president & CEO, presented Big I New York with the 2023 Maurice Herndon Award. The Maurice Herndon award is given every year to the state association that has done exemplary work on legislative issues and government affairs the previous year.

“This year's recipient achieved new fundraising levels for both InsurPac, our federal PAC, and their state PAC," Symington said. “They've had very strong participation at the Legislative Conference and strengthened grassroots relationships with key members of their congressional delegation. And on the state level, our winners successfully defeated legislation that would've banned all noncompete agreements and also made favorable changes to cybersecurity regulations."

Big I New York members were in attendance to accept the award. Pictured from left to right: Nick Masterpole, Scott Hobson, Ron Burnell, Lisa Lounsbury, and Ted Walsh with Charles Symington. 

Inclusive Excellence Champion Award: Brandon Okita

During the Emerging Leaders Luncheon on Wednesday, Symington (right) presented the Inclusive Excellence Champion Award to Brandon Okita, chair of the Big “I" Diversity Council and vice president of FIA Insurance Services in Torrance, California.

The Inclusive Excellence Champion Award is a new award celebrating Big “I" independent agents who exemplify unwavering dedication to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in the independent insurance agency marketplace and workplace. It recognizes those who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to building inclusive environments where every individual is valued, respected and empowered to succeed.

With a 15-year track record of association involvement, Okita (pictured left with Symington) has served as chair of the Big “I" Diversity Council since 2022, where he has led a number of important initiatives to promote inclusivity and drive positive change. He has served as president of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Los Angeles and chaired the IBA West Young Brokers & Agents Committee, as well as shown exemplary involvement in political grassroots programs and his community.

“Through their visionary leadership and impactful actions, recipients of this award are trailblazers in making change and advancing diversity and inclusion efforts in the IA channel," Symington said as he presented the award to Okita. “And our inaugural honoree does exactly that. Throughout his career, he's been a dedicated D&I advocate in our association and industry."

“There is no more deserving individual to be the first recipient of this award," Symington added.

Sidney O. Smith Award: Ashley Brady

During the Big “I" Legislative Breakfast on Thursday, Jim Murphree, Big “I" government affairs chair and president of Jim Murphree Insurance Agency in Oneonta, Alabama, presented Ashley Brady, vice president of First Charter Insurance in Marion, South Carolina, with the 2023 Sidney O. Smith Award.

The Sidney O. Smith Award goes to a Big “I" member who has shown outstanding legislative involvement and advocacy for the past year on behalf of independent agents. It's a way of honoring someone who has displayed true leadership, who rolls up their sleeves and goes to bat for the community and businesses in the area of government affairs.

Brady (pictured right with Murphree) was recognized for his service advocating before state and federal elected officials on behalf of the independent agent system. He served on the government affairs committee, including as chairman. He is one of the top 25 all-time donors to InsurPac, and has served on the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of South Carolina (IIABSC) board and on the national Big “I" Board of Directors.

“Today's honoree is a long-time agent who is involved in government affairs on many levels," Murphree said as he presented the award to Brady. “He embodies what it means to be a leader nationally, through the Big 'I,' and in his community."

2024 Young Agent of the Year Award: Ivie Isler

During the Emerging Leaders Luncheon, Ivie Isler, assistant vice president and marketing analyst supervisor at McGriff Insurance Services in Birmingham, Alabama, was presented with the 2023 Young Agent of the Year Award.

Isler was actively involved, either virtually or in person, in every single national Young Agents Committee event in 2023. She has held various leadership positions and served on multiple committees with the Alabama Independent Insurance Agents (AIIA). She helped reshape events such as her local Board's gala and her state association's legislative conference, and was instrumental in helping AIIA win its first InsurPac Eagle Award last year—a feat that earned her the 2023 InsurPac Young Agent of the Year award. 

“She has a proven history of giving back to the independent agency system and our industry in general," said Brock Elliott, chair of the Big “I" national Young Agents Committee and producer and partner at Elliott Group in Louisburg, Kansas, as he presented the award to “fierce leader" Isler (pictured right with Elliott). “She always brings a unique perspective and vibrant energy to any challenge she faces and any project in which we are lucky enough to have her involved." 

Dan Fulwider Award: Jeffrey T. Benson Jr. 

During the Friday breakfast, Trusted Choice® presented Dr. Jeffrey T. Benson Jr. (pictured right), managing partner at Prominent Insurance Group, with the Dan Fulwider Award for Community Involvement.

The Dan Fulwider Award for Community Involvement is named in memory of Dan Fulwider, an avid philanthropist and former government affairs coordinator and membership liaison for the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa. The award recognizes the Big “I" member who has gone above and beyond the call of service to truly make a lasting difference in their community over the past year.

Benson, who holds a doctorate in business administration, was celebrated for his deep commitment to fostering community growth and advocating for social change in Seaford and Wilmington, Delaware. He volunteers to mentor young men in his TeamLYFE brand—which stands for Live Your Future Everyday—participating in innovative programs such as “The Gentlemen's Club" with Seaford Middle School and High School and “Boy Meets World" with Sussex Montessori School.

Benson has made significant contributions to local education and the empowerment of Black male students as the former director of the Black Male Initiative at Delaware State University, a program in which he is still heavily involved. Benson is also involved in numerous other community service initiatives, from the “Donuts with Dudes" event to distributing gifts and resources to families in need.

“His academic achievements, leadership roles, and numerous awards underline his exceptional ability to lead with empathy and integrity," said Mike McBride, Big “I" chairman, presenting the award. “I'm happy to announce Dr. Jeffrey T. Benson Jr. as the 2024 Dan Fulwider Award for his community service."

Accepting the award Bensen said “What we do in an insurance agency or in the industry is we serve our people. And when I was in the military in the United States Air Force, one of the core values was service before self. The one thing I always commit to is serving individuals, whether it's our clients, whether it's my family, but definitely the community."

Will Jones is IA editor-in chief. AnneMarie McPherson Spears is IA news editor. Olivia Overman is IA content editor.