2017 NetVU Award Winners Honored for Outstanding Achievements

Automation Excellence, Advocacy, Leadership & Service Recognized at NetVU17

NASHVILLE (March 24, 2017) — Network of Vertafore Users (NetVU) celebrated outstanding achievements in automation excellence, technology advocacy, leadership, volunteer service and Chapter management at an Awards Gala held during its 2017 NetVU Conference at the Music City Convention Center.

“Each year, we recognize those who have made significant and lasting contributions to the NetVU community and the insurance industry,” said NetVU CEO Kitty Ambers, CIC, CPIA, CISR. “These are individuals and organizations whose dedication and service have made NetVU’s educational, networking and advocacy initiatives possible.”

Winners were announced for the Automation Excellence Award (both carriers and agencies), Insurance Technology Advocate Award in Memory of Wade S. Dunbar Jr., Volunteer of the Year Award in Memory of James M. Gibson, Leadership Award in Memory of Louie E. Woodbury Jr., and Chairman’s Award.

In addition, three Chapter awards were given: Phoenix Award, Rookie of the Year Award and Chapter of the Year Award. Chapter MVPs, NCOM MVPs and the winner of the Young Professional Education Scholarship were also recognized.

Automation Excellence Award

The Automation Excellence Award recognizes carriers, MGAs and agencies that have demonstrated significant achievements in automation technology to promote productivity, profitability and service for NetVU members. Winners in this category have advanced cutting-edge ideas to enhance efficiency, increase profitability and streamline operations.

  • Automation Excellence Award, Regional Carrier – Selective Insurance Company, Branchville, N.J.

  • Automation Excellence Award, National Carrier – The Hartford, Hartford, Conn.

  • Automation Excellence Award, Small Agency – Patterson & Associates Insurance Agency, Richardson, Texas

  • Automation Excellence Award, Large Agency – The Crichton Group, Nashville, Tenn.

Insurance Technology Advocate Award in Memory of Wade S. Dunbar Jr.

This award is presented to an individual who has led the industry in technological advancement and provided leadership on an industry-wide basis. NetVU developed the award to recognize those who emulate Wade Dunbar’s passion for streamlining the insurance process.

Winner – Ron Berg, executive director, IIABA’s Agents Council for Technology

Volunteer of the Year Award in Memory of James M. Gibson

The award recognizes an individual for outstanding volunteer service to NetVU and its community of members during the past year, and has led through example and achieving results.

Winner – Janet Tuttle, operations manager, TDECU Insurance Agency LLC, Houston, Texas

Leadership Award in Memory of Louie E. Woodbury Jr.

This award recognizes long-time leadership, proven achievement and contributions to NetVU and the industry. The recipient of this award is recognized as a leader in his community, the industry and within NetVU in support of its mission.

Winner – Kevin Wheeler, CIC, CFI, CPIA, principal, Cardinal Insurance Services Inc., Indianapolis, Ind., and past chairman of NetVU

Chairman’s Award

The current NetVU chairman presents the Chairman's Award for service to NetVU during the past year. Awards in the past have been issued to members, Vertafore employees, insurance carriers and industry partners working in conjunction with the chairman on NetVU initiatives.

Winner – Jenny Petersen, systems administration manager, Brightway Insurance, Jacksonville, Fla.

Chapter Awards

NetVU Chapters are an integral part of the NetVU community. Three awards are given in categories designed to recognize membership growth, innovation and service.

  • 2017 Phoenix Award for Chapter revitalization – BenefitPoint Users Group

  • 2017 Rookie of the Year Award for a newly formed Chapter that has shown both promise and success – Pacific Northwest AMS360 Chapter

  • 2017 Chapter of the Year Award for outstanding growth, participation in the NetVU community, member participation and new programs – Michigan NetVU

Chapter and NCOM MVP recognition

NetVU honors volunteers, nominated by their Chapter leaders, who have gone the extra mile in service to their Chapter with Chapter MVP recognition.

In addition, members who are active in NetVU’s online community, NCOM — earning 10,000 NetVU engagement points by answering questions or offering advice — are recognized as NCOM MVPs. (A list of this year’s Chapter and NCOM MVPs will be posted on the Awards section of NetVU’s website.)

NetVU Young Professional Education Scholarship

Winner – Erik Krueger, account manager, Trident Insurance Agency, Cherry Hill, N.J.

About NetVU: NetVU (www.netvu.org) is an independent national member organization committed to providing industry advocacy, world-class education and networking to more than 25,000 insurance agencies, carriers and MGAs, and more than 500,000 users of Vertafore's solutions. NetVU's leaders envision a thriving, profitable insurance industry fueled by vibrant, efficient firms that fully leverage everything Vertafore's products have to offer.