IIABSC's 2024 Board of Directors were installed at the 125th Annual Convention held Nov. 5-7 at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC.

Tonya S. Thomason, CIC of David A. Crotts & Associates, Inc. in Greenwood was re-elected Chair of the Board by the general membership during the annual meeting. Robert "Robbie" Nalley of Creech Roddey Watson Insurance in Sumter was re-elected Chairman-Elect and Treasurer of the Board of Directors. Both are one-year terms. James G. Taylor, Jr., CIC of Kinghorn Insurance of Beaufort in Beaufort was elected National Director, a three-year term.

Retiring directors Amber Bryant of Robert Bryant & Son Inc in Orangeburg, SC,  Renado Robinson of Crosswinds Insurance Agency in Fort Mill, SC, and Julie B. Turner, CIC, of The Turner Agency Inc. in Greenville, SC were recognized for their service and dedication to the association.

IIABA Chair of the Board Mike McBride, JD, delivered the oath of office.

Agent of the Year - Deborah Allen OF GREENVILLE

Deborah Allen of South Carolina Insurance Brokers in Greeville, SC was named the Hayne P. Glover, Jr. Agent of the Year in recognition for outstanding community service and contributing to the betterment of the insurance industry.

Deborah began her insurance career during her college years and what started as a part time job turned out to be a wonderful, lifelong career. She learned the ropes at an independent agency in customer service, sales, and underwriting. Deciding to try her hand on another side of our industry, she opted for a position with a captive carrier learning their culture of education, training, and superior client services.

Under Deborah’s leadership, SC Insurance Brokers has been named a Big I Best Practices agency. She has served on various boards such as Safeco Advisory Council, Main Street Council, Travelers Council, and many other insurance carrier support roles.

In addition to her insurance career, Deborah has served in several community volunteer positions. She was named the Director of a non-profit organization which specializes in Respite Care for caregivers that focus and care for special needs children. She was also a Parent Advocate for the Myers Center for Special Children for United Way, and she was named one of the “Most Beautiful Women” of Greenville based on her community service.

The Agent of the Year is named for Hayne P. Glover, Jr. to honor his many years of dedicated service to the Big "I" state and national associations. Glover was from Greenville and is the first South Carolinian to serve as the national association president. Glover was an outstanding example of service to his community as well as the industry, which are the criteria used to evaluate nominees for this award. The award has been sponsored by AFCO Credit Corporation in Florence for 27 years.

Young Agent of the Year - Hilary Johnson Haines of Murrells Inlet 

Hilary Johnson Haines, AIAM, of Carrie Johnson Insurance in Murrells Inlet, SC, has been named the IIABSC Young Agent of the Year.

Hilary's journey in the insurance world began after her graduation from Clemson University, where she started as a teller at a local bank. However, the family connection with the insurance industry was impossible to ignore. During her free time, she frequently visited her mother's agency, and over time, it was clear that her destiny was intertwined with the world of insurance.

Hilary has been a leader within the Horry-Georgetown Independent Agents community and has served in various roles within the organization, culminating in her current position as the president. Her leadership has not only elevated the association but has also fostered growth and collaboration among its members.

Hilary's impact extends beyond her local community. She has served as a Director on the state Big I Board, where she has made significant contributions as the Young Agent Committee Co-Chair and helped lead the SC Young Agent Committee as the best overall committee in 2023. 

Hilary is also deeply committed to giving back to the community as she helped lead this year’s Give Movement for South Carolina "Make-A-Wish" foundation. She is also active with her son’s sports teams which stretch through multiple seasons.

The Young Agent of the Year is given to an independent insurance agent age 40 or younger for outstanding service to his or her community outside the field of insurance and has contributed to the betterment of the industry. The award has been sponsored by AFCO Credit Corporation in Florence for 27  years.

Industry Person of the Year - Laura Cornell of Safeco Insurance 

Laura Cornell, CIC, of Safeco Insurance was named the IIABSC Industry Person of the Year. The award recognizes industry representatives other than independent insurance agents who have contributed greatly to the insurance industry in South Carolina.

Laura began her career working customer service in an insurance agency. From there, Laura had successful stints at Prime Rate Premium Finance, Insurance House, Seibels Bruce Group, the South Carolina Big “I” and now as Senior Territory Manager for Safeco.

There has never been a time when Laura has not been willing to help her agents, whether or not it benefits her. Her work ethic is impeccable, and she understands the value of relationships within this industry. 

Laura also greatly understands the value of the independent agency system and the challenges we are facing today. She makes it a point to do everything possible to keep her agents on top of changes in the market, offer insight on navigating the constant changes, and doing what she can to help her agents succeed. 

Laura truly cares about independent insurance agents and the insurance industry – and she demonstrates that loyalty everyday with the service she provides her agents.

Outstanding CSR of the Year - Stacy Spurling of Sumter

Stacy Spurling of Sumter Insurance Group in Sumter, SC, was recognized as the SC Outstanding CSR of the Year. The award recognizes those who demonstrate exceptional customer service on a daily basis.

Nominations are submitted to us early in the year, an nominees are then asked to submit materials to show their commitment to the industry through education, involvement and peer recommendations in addition to writing an essay in response to a relevant issue for our industry.

All throughout the nominating materials it mentions her caring and compassionate nature and commitment to providing the best possible coverage for her clients, fostering long-lasting relationships built on trust and mutual respect.

Stacy says in her essay:   “In the insurance industry today, it is imperative that companies and their employees place a great amount of emphasis on the ability to understand another person’s thoughts and feelings… In my career, I have often celebrated with clients over small victories, like lower premiums, new home construction policies, and removing young drivers from a parents’ policy. I have also cried with clients and held hands while praying with them over things such as a total loss house fire, a fatal car accident and even divorce.”

This connectivity with others is exactly what customer service is all about. 

Chairman Citation TO BEN MYERS oF COLUMBIA

SC InsurPac Committee member Ben Myers, AIP, of Russell Massey & Co. in Columbia, SC,  was recognized for his service to IIABSC with a Citation from Board Chair Tonya Thomason. 

IIABSC Foundation fundraiser

New this year was an IIABSC Foundation fundraiser going on during the annual convention. Those who made contributions leading up to the conference and onsite were entered in a drawing to win two-night stay at the Omni Grove Park Inn plus a $250 GPI gift card, one chance for every $50 contributed.

Overall, the IIABSC Foundation raised about $5,150 leading up to and during the annual convention.

The winner of the drawing was Matt Wiseman of Myrtle Beach. 

InsurPac fundraiser

As always, there was an InusrPAC fundraiser going on during the annual convention. Those who made contributions leading up to the conference and onsite were entered in a drawing to win a Louis Vuitton wallet on chain and a Blackstone 36" Griddle with Hood + Accessories, one chance for every $100 contributed. All who contributed $1,000 dollars or more within the entire year were entered in a drawing to win a sports fishing trip to Costa Rica.  Winners did not have to be present to win.

Overall, InsurPac raised about $55,770 leading up to and during the annual convention, the most raised during a single event.

The winner of the Louis Vuitton wallet on chain was Matt Hamer of Georgetown. The winner of the Blackstone Grill was Julie Turner of Greenville, and the ultimate winner of the Costa Rica sports fishing trip was Jules Anderson of Charleston after Jon Jensen of Spartanburg won it, donated it back and the SC InsurPac Committee auctioned it to the winner. 

Lois Vuitton bag and grill were sponsored by Imperial PFS - Premium Financing and the IIABSC Agency. Costa Rica sports fishing trip was sponsored by Johnson & Johnson.