Insurance Newsmakers

Donna Allen, a transportation underwriter for Gresham and Associates, was named Insurance Professional of the Year. The award recognizes Allen’s employment in the industry for at least 10 years with involvement in community programs and association activities.

Patty Hill, a claims representative for American National Property and Casualty Company, was named Claims Professional of the Year. The title was awarded based on Hill’s claims experience and education in the field, as well as her activity in the National Association of Insurance Women.

Kelli Mullen of Gresham and Associates was named Rookie of the Year. The award is given to a member of the Insurance Association of the Ozarks for less than two years who demonstrates participation in insurance industry education programs and other related activities.

The Insurance Association of the Ozarks is an affiliate of the National Association of Insurance Women – International. The winners will advance to the state level of the competition and could go on to compete regionally and nationally.

Kellie Sansom of Nixon and Lindstrom Insurance has completed the Certified Insurance Counselor professional designation program. The program is a series of five parts that includes written examinations on major fields of insurance.

Beimdiek Insurance Agency announced several staff accomplishments. Jennifer Little and Tina Osborne earned Missouri property and casualty licenses. Carmen Bearden and Bonnie Powers, commercial lines account executives, have completed training at Certified Insurance Counselors Institute. Bearden completed the Personal Lines Institute and Powers complete the Commercial Property Institute.

Angela Heckart and Summer Berry, commercial lines account executives with Beimdiek, have completed the Certified Insurance Service Representative Agency Operations course. The course is part of a certification program offered by the National Society of Certified Insurance Service Representatives.

Dina Sarratt, personal lines sales agent with Beimdiek, attended a sales training class sponsored by Allied Insurance Company in Iowa. Agents met with Allied’s president and other key employees and then attended courses on sales technique.

Linda Pinick, family lines department supervisor for Connell Insurors Inc., has successfully completed the annual continuing education requirement of the Society of Certified Insurance Service Representatives in Austin, Texas. Pinick has held the CISR designation since 1987, and she has 29 years of experience in the insurance industry.