Rita Hollada is the vice president of The Insurance Professionals, Inc., a consulting and professional education group. She is an honors graduate of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA and began her professional career in human resources management before entering the insurance industry in 1979 when she and her husband started an agency from scratch. She remains a licensed agent and broker.

Rita earned the designation of Accredited Advisor in Insurance in 1983, followed by the designations of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter in 1987 and Certified Insurance Counselor in 1988. In 1997, she was awarded PIA National's Presidential Award for her work with flood insurance and natural disaster legislation. She received the CPIA designation in 1998 after assisting that organization with the development of its Saleswise Success Seminars. In 2012 she was recognized with the PIA National Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Flood Insurance Program Annual Conference.

Rita remains an active member of the insurance industry, representing PIA National on several committees. She is also a contributor to numerous magazines and professional journals. Rita wrote a regular column on flood insurance issues for the PIA magazine for several years. She currently serves on the Flood Insurance Producers National Committee where she served as Chairman for two years. She also has served on the board of the Natural Disaster Coalition.

In addition to the insurance industry, Rita has been invited to speak on effective communication and customer service to many diverse groups. She is a member of the national faculty of the CIC program as well as an instructor for other National Alliance programs. She designs and instructs special topic courses for insurance companies, agencies, industry associations and local community colleges and often works as a consultant with agencies on agency management issues.

PIA National Flood Insurance Expert M. Rita Hollada
Receives PIA Lifetime Achievement Award at NFIP Conference

Austin, TX — M. Rita Hollada, CPCU, CIC, CPIA, AAI, was honored with a PIA Lifetime Achievement award for excellence and expertise in flood insurance. The award was presented May 8, 2012 in Austin, Texas during the national conference of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Hollada, an independent insurance agent from Selbyville, Delaware, has served as PIA National’s representative to both the NFIP and the Flood Insurance Producers National Committee (FIPNC).  She is recognized as one of the nation’s most experienced and knowledgeable educators about flood risk. She teaches courses on flood insurance to her fellow independent insurance agents across the country and has served as PIA’s public spokesperson on flood insurance issues.  

“It is very fitting that we’re making this presentation here at the NFIP Conference where we are joined by all the NFIP staff and related industry representatives who know, respect and love you so much,” said Richard A. Clements, secretary/assistant treasurer of PIA National and its representative to the NFIP and FIPNC, who presented the award. “We’re here to publicly recognize and celebrate you – and all that you have so tirelessly, unselfishly and enthusiastically done for the NFIP program and most of all for PIA members and all insurance producers, along with their customers who are insured under the NFIP.”

“Rita, even though we know that you will be adding to your long list of accomplishments for many more years to come, you should know that you have set a very high standard, to which all of us should aspire,” Clements said. “There are very few people in our industry who know so much, have contributed so much, have achieved so much, care so much and have made such a broad impact for the better.”

PIA National was joined in the special presentation by Dorothy Doyle, Assistant Vice President, Hartford Specialty/WYO; Dave Treutel on behalf of FIPNC; and Denny Kuhns on behalf of FEMA/NFIP.

Founded in 1931, PIA is a national trade association that represents member insurance agents and their employees who sell and service all kinds of insurance, but specialize in coverage of automobiles, homes and businesses. PIA members are Local Agents Serving Main Street America SM. PIA’s web address is www.pianet.com.

This press release online at:
http://www.pianet.com/news/press-releases/2012/holladawinsaward051012 

Mishell is the co-owner of KJM Consulting & Training, Inc. in Munnsville, New York. KJM specializes in providing a broad range of high quality training programs to insurance agencies; insurance companies and banks throughout the north east. These programs, normally designed for Continuing Education credits, cover all areas of the insurance & banking business, providing comprehensive education at all levels in entry level insurance; customer service; Commercial Lines sales & service; Personal Lines sales & service as well as management techniques. In addition to the customized training KJM also provides consulting services focusing on E&O; Procedure Manual development and implementation; and Agency Management training techniques.

Prior to founding KJM in 2007; Mishell's insurance career began in the Personal Lines Department of a small independent insurance agency. She then worked for an AVEMCO Aviation Insurance Company; was the Insurance Benefits Analyst for Endicott Johnson Corporation; and worked as an Assistant to the Vice President of a Commercial Bank before returning to the independent insurance agency side of the business where she spent many years.

Mishell was named the 2004 National Customer Service Representative of the Year by PIA National. She was also named one of 25 Women in Leadership in New York State in 2004. Mishell graduated from Broome Community College with an Associates of Applied Science degree in Business Marketing Management.

Mishell currently holds New York State Property and Casualty Brokers and Agents Licenses; a New York State Life and Health Brokers License; a New York State Producer License to Act as a Consultant; a Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation; a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation; the Accredited Advisor of Insurance (AAI) designation; and the Federation of Insurance Professional Counselor (FIPC) designation.

A member of the Associate Faculty of Certified Insurance Counselors, Mishell is a frequent speaker for Professional Insurance Agents of New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Connecticut for CIC and CISR programs along with various other topics; and for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York's Best Practices of Errors & Omission Loss Prevention along with their various other programs. Mishell is a past president of the Federation of New York Insurance Professionals and is a board member of the Insurance Professionals of the Mohawk Valley; she is the current President of the Madison County Historical Society along with being a member of the National Notary Association.

Dan Corbin, CPCU, CIC, LUTC, has over 30 years of varied experience. He has worked as an agency owner, commercial service representative, producer, personal lines manager and insurance specialist for a mortgage lender. He is Business Issues Director at PIA (N.Y., N.J., Conn. & N.H.)

Jim Pittz
PIA's Business Issues Director

Jim Pittz brings more than 25 years of extensive insurance experience to PIA. Pittz is responsible for the development and implementation of PIA's overall technical industry -relations strategies and programs. He also advises PIA leaders and management on issues such as industry trends and PIA outreach. Additionally, Pittz provides members with information on insurance laws, regulations, residual market procedures, policy forms. Prior to PIA, he served as an underwriting manager for the Travelers Insurance Co., Glens Falls, N.Y., where he oversaw a national distribution book with more than $825 million in premium. Pittz's extensive background in the industry consists of working in business information and development for insurance technology companies; he also has worked for insurance carriers and independent agencies.

Pittz received his bachelor of arts degree at the State University of New York, Geneseo, N.Y.

Campbell Wallace
Government Affairs Counsel

Curtis Pearsall is the founder and principal of Pearsall Associates, a consulting firm focused on providing expert Errors & Omissions (E&O) loss control and risk management services to insurance agencies. He also provides litigation consultation and expert witness testimony for agencies and insurers.

Pearsall has more than two decades of experience in managing a national agents E&O program for Utica National. His prior background also includes more than five years as an insurance agent, so he has a hands-on knowledge of the agency world. He holds the designations of CPCU, CPIA, AU, ARM and AIAF.

Pearsall is President of the American Insurance Marketing & Sales (AIMS) Society.

Pearsall's writings on the topic of E&O regularly in Insurance Journal, Rough Notes and the numerous PIA state association publications. He is also a noted speaker, having made speaking engagements and seminars for various organizations at venues throughout the country.

Connect with Curtis Pearsall on LinkedIn

Steven D. Lyon, CPCU, CIC, CRM, AAI, ARM, AIS
Lyon Consulting Services, LLC

Steven D. Lyon is the founder and principal of Lyon Consulting Services, LLC, an independent management consulting and educational firm. Lyon utilizes the 24 years of expertise and experience that comes from owning, operating, and managing one of the most respected and profitable insurance agencies in northern New Jersey.

In addition to owning an independent agency, Steve has served as the regional director of education for a large brokerage firm, and was a regional vice president in charge of personal lines for the insurance division of a dynamic banking institution.

He provides a wide variety of management tools and guidance techniques to assist agencies with practical, hands-on knowledge, measurably improving their efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability. Steve has earned his CPCU, CIC, CRM, AAI, ARM and AIS designations and lectures for many agencies and companies in the tri-state area. He has worked with PIA, IIANJ, and the Society of CIC; and his consistently high ratings and unique teaching style make him a favorite among seminar attendees.

Mishell is the co-owner of KJM Consulting & Training, Inc. in Munnsville, New York. KJM specializes in providing a broad range of high quality training programs to insurance agencies; insurance companies and banks throughout the north east. These programs, normally designed for Continuing Education credits, cover all areas of the insurance & banking business, providing comprehensive education at all levels in entry level insurance; customer service; Commercial Lines sales & service; Personal Lines sales & service as well as management techniques. In addition to the customized training KJM also provides consulting services focusing on E&O; Procedure Manual development and implementation; and Agency Management training techniques.

Prior to founding KJM in 2007; Mishell's insurance career began in the Personal Lines Department of a small independent insurance agency. She then worked for an AVEMCO Aviation Insurance Company; was the Insurance Benefits Analyst for Endicott Johnson Corporation; and worked as an Assistant to the Vice President of a Commercial Bank before returning to the independent insurance agency side of the business where she spent many years.

Mishell was named the 2004 National Customer Service Representative of the Year by PIA National. She was also named one of 25 Women in Leadership in New York State in 2004. Mishell graduated from Broome Community College with an Associates of Applied Science degree in Business Marketing Management.

Mishell currently holds New York State Property and Casualty Brokers and Agents Licenses; a New York State Life and Health Brokers License; a New York State Producer License to Act as a Consultant; a Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation; a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation; the Accredited Advisor of Insurance (AAI) designation; and the Federation of Insurance Professional Counselor (FIPC) designation.

A member of the Associate Faculty of Certified Insurance Counselors, Mishell is a frequent speaker for Professional Insurance Agents of New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Connecticut for CIC and CISR programs along with various other topics; and for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York's Best Practices of Errors & Omission Loss Prevention along with their various other programs. Mishell is a past president of the Federation of New York Insurance Professionals and is a board member of the Insurance Professionals of the Mohawk Valley; she is the current President of the Madison County Historical Society along with being a member of the National Notary Association.

Lee Wasserman
President, LEW Corporation

As the president of LEW Corporation, Wasserman always welcomes the opportunity to share LEW Corporation's nationally recognized environmental expertise and unsurpassed level of customer service. For over a decade, LEW Corporation has taken great pride in servicing its clients and assuring their satisfaction.

Since inception in 1991, LEW Corporation has worked very hard to become known as one of the country's premier environmental firms, and Wasserman is very proud to state that LEW Corporation has achieved such recognition. Wasserman's goal is to make sure LEW Corporation manintains this recognition by providing clients with the level of service they desire and deserve. It has become a part of LEW Corporation's mission to provide clients with unsurpassed reliability, dependability and environmental expertise while finishing projects on time and, most importantly, within budget.

Wasserman welcomes the opportunity to establish a mutually beneficial long-term relationship and would be delighted to get together to further discuss how LEW Corporation may be of service to you.

John Fear, CPIA
National Director of Agency Development

John Fear has worked in the insurance industry for over twenty years in the areas of Life & Annuity, Small Commercial, Boiler & Machinery, Field Operations, Process Engineering and Personal Insurance. In 2007, John left the corporate life to start his own consulting firm – Premier Business Consulting.

As National Director of Agency Development at Travelers, John conducted nearly 100 workshops for agency owners and principals (with 1,500+ attendees). John also developed and facilitated over 60 Sales training sessions throughout the country for more than 2,000 Producers and CSRs. He has consulted with dozens of agents across the country, focusing on improving sales and maximizing operational efficiencies.

Since starting his own business, he has been a featured presenter at several National Sales Meetings for major insurance companies and Independent Agency organizations. Those experiences have given him an outstanding knowledge of, and insight into, real life solutions that effectively meet agency needs. His workshops enable agents to meet and exceed their business objectives by incorporating sound business principles into their everyday operations.

John lives in the Adirondack Region of New York State with his wife Cheryl and their two year old Cairn terrier Sasha.

Steve Tague

John Fear, CPIA
National Director of Agency Development

John Fear has worked in the insurance industry for over twenty years in the areas of Life & Annuity, Small Commercial, Boiler & Machinery, Field Operations, Process Engineering and Personal Insurance. In 2007, John left the corporate life to start his own consulting firm – Premier Business Consulting.

As National Director of Agency Development at Travelers, John conducted nearly 100 workshops for agency owners and principals (with 1,500+ attendees). John also developed and facilitated over 60 Sales training sessions throughout the country for more than 2,000 Producers and CSRs. He has consulted with dozens of agents across the country, focusing on improving sales and maximizing operational efficiencies.

Since starting his own business, he has been a featured presenter at several National Sales Meetings for major insurance companies and Independent Agency organizations. Those experiences have given him an outstanding knowledge of, and insight into, real life solutions that effectively meet agency needs. His workshops enable agents to meet and exceed their business objectives by incorporating sound business principles into their everyday operations.

John lives in the Adirondack Region of New York State with his wife Cheryl and their two year old Cairn terrier Sasha.

Sheldon Snodgrass, MBA, launched his professional career out of a Military cargo plane at the US Army Airborne School in 1987. After four years as an Army officer, Sheldon advanced through various professional roles in the sales and marketing arena. He cut his teeth as a commission-only sales representative in Boston where his success led to a promotion as a sales trainer for the world’s third largest travel franchise company (Uniglobe Travel). He then moved his young family to Western Massachusetts where he spearheaded the strategic marketing efforts of a spin-off entity for the largest utility company in New England (Northeast Utilities). Sheldon was then recruited to the technology sector, working first to create a sales organization in a boutique software company (REMI), then as an account executive for a global information technology consultancy (Covansys, NASDAQ: cvns).

When Covansys closed its Springfield branch, Sheldon remained in the Pioneer Valley, where he discovered boundless opportunities to provide sales and marketing know-how to small companies. Along the way he earned an MBA from UMass Amherst, and became a certified Entrepreneurial Business Planning Instructor through the NxLevel Educational Foundation.

Sheldon is also a Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach, a designation earned in the only program of it’s kind endorsed by world famous author, Jay Conrad Levinson, the creator of the Guerrilla Marketing series of books. He has parlayed his affection for small businesses, his corporate sales and marketing experience, and continuous professional development to create his own consulting firm called The Steady Sales Group. Based out of Massaschusets, he now specializes in helping solopreneurs and sales people throughout the United States close more sales, make more money, and worry less.

Lest he be too consumed with work, his two young daughters and roles as a ski instructor and white water rafting guide keep him focused on matters of the heart. Mr. Snodgrass also volunteers his time as a support group facilitator for the Men’s Resource Center of Western Massachusetts.

Mishell is the co-owner of KJM Consulting & Training, Inc. in Munnsville, New York. KJM specializes in providing a broad range of high quality training programs to insurance agencies; insurance companies and banks throughout the north east. These programs, normally designed for Continuing Education credits, cover all areas of the insurance & banking business, providing comprehensive education at all levels in entry level insurance; customer service; Commercial Lines sales & service; Personal Lines sales & service as well as management techniques. In addition to the customized training KJM also provides consulting services focusing on E&O; Procedure Manual development and implementation; and Agency Management training techniques.

Prior to founding KJM in 2007; Mishell's insurance career began in the Personal Lines Department of a small independent insurance agency. She then worked for an AVEMCO Aviation Insurance Company; was the Insurance Benefits Analyst for Endicott Johnson Corporation; and worked as an Assistant to the Vice President of a Commercial Bank before returning to the independent insurance agency side of the business where she spent many years.

Mishell was named the 2004 National Customer Service Representative of the Year by PIA National. She was also named one of 25 Women in Leadership in New York State in 2004. Mishell graduated from Broome Community College with an Associates of Applied Science degree in Business Marketing Management.

Mishell currently holds New York State Property and Casualty Brokers and Agents Licenses; a New York State Life and Health Brokers License; a New York State Producer License to Act as a Consultant; a Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation; a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation; the Accredited Advisor of Insurance (AAI) designation; and the Federation of Insurance Professional Counselor (FIPC) designation.

A member of the Associate Faculty of Certified Insurance Counselors, Mishell is a frequent speaker for Professional Insurance Agents of New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Connecticut for CIC and CISR programs along with various other topics; and for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York's Best Practices of Errors & Omission Loss Prevention along with their various other programs. Mishell is a past president of the Federation of New York Insurance Professionals and is a board member of the Insurance Professionals of the Mohawk Valley; she is the current President of the Madison County Historical Society along with being a member of the National Notary Association.

Curtis Pearsall is the founder and principal of Pearsall Associates, a consulting firm focused on providing expert Errors & Omissions (E&O) loss control and risk management services to insurance agencies. He also provides litigation consultation and expert witness testimony for agencies and insurers.

Pearsall has more than two decades of experience in managing a national agents E&O program for Utica National. His prior background also includes more than five years as an insurance agent, so he has a hands-on knowledge of the agency world. He holds the designations of CPCU, CPIA, AU, ARM and AIAF.

Pearsall is President of the American Insurance Marketing & Sales (AIMS) Society.

Pearsall's writings on the topic of E&O regularly in Insurance Journal, Rough Notes and the numerous PIA state association publications. He is also a noted speaker, having made speaking engagements and seminars for various organizations at venues throughout the country.

Connect with Curtis Pearsall on LinkedIn

Mishell is the co-owner of KJM Consulting & Training, Inc. in Munnsville, New York. KJM specializes in providing a broad range of high quality training programs to insurance agencies; insurance companies and banks throughout the north east. These programs, normally designed for Continuing Education credits, cover all areas of the insurance & banking business, providing comprehensive education at all levels in entry level insurance; customer service; Commercial Lines sales & service; Personal Lines sales & service as well as management techniques. In addition to the customized training KJM also provides consulting services focusing on E&O; Procedure Manual development and implementation; and Agency Management training techniques.

Prior to founding KJM in 2007; Mishell's insurance career began in the Personal Lines Department of a small independent insurance agency. She then worked for an AVEMCO Aviation Insurance Company; was the Insurance Benefits Analyst for Endicott Johnson Corporation; and worked as an Assistant to the Vice President of a Commercial Bank before returning to the independent insurance agency side of the business where she spent many years.

Mishell was named the 2004 National Customer Service Representative of the Year by PIA National. She was also named one of 25 Women in Leadership in New York State in 2004. Mishell graduated from Broome Community College with an Associates of Applied Science degree in Business Marketing Management.

Mishell currently holds New York State Property and Casualty Brokers and Agents Licenses; a New York State Life and Health Brokers License; a New York State Producer License to Act as a Consultant; a Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation; a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation; the Accredited Advisor of Insurance (AAI) designation; and the Federation of Insurance Professional Counselor (FIPC) designation.

A member of the Associate Faculty of Certified Insurance Counselors, Mishell is a frequent speaker for Professional Insurance Agents of New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Connecticut for CIC and CISR programs along with various other topics; and for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York's Best Practices of Errors & Omission Loss Prevention along with their various other programs. Mishell is a past president of the Federation of New York Insurance Professionals and is a board member of the Insurance Professionals of the Mohawk Valley; she is the current President of the Madison County Historical Society along with being a member of the National Notary Association.

Curtis Pearsall is the founder and principal of Pearsall Associates, a consulting firm focused on providing expert Errors & Omissions (E&O) loss control and risk management services to insurance agencies. He also provides litigation consultation and expert witness testimony for agencies and insurers.

Pearsall has more than two decades of experience in managing a national agents E&O program for Utica National. His prior background also includes more than five years as an insurance agent, so he has a hands-on knowledge of the agency world. He holds the designations of CPCU, CPIA, AU, ARM and AIAF.

Pearsall is President of the American Insurance Marketing & Sales (AIMS) Society.

Pearsall's writings on the topic of E&O regularly in Insurance Journal, Rough Notes and the numerous PIA state association publications. He is also a noted speaker, having made speaking engagements and seminars for various organizations at venues throughout the country.

Connect with Curtis Pearsall on LinkedIn