IIABSC e-newsletter

Approximately 1200 attended this combined Conference and Convention, which includes members from the entire United States, as well as company people and vendors. Suffolk was well represented by Pres. Mike Romeo, Pres. Elect John Mulvey, Director George Brooks, Past Presidents Don Hester, Jeff Rehm and I. The first function on April 2nd was a combined Young Agents and InsurPac State Chairpersons Luncheon. Meghan McGarry of Marshall Sterling, Leeds, NY represented the N.Y. Young Agents Group and I represented N.Y. as InsurPac Chair. Congressman Peter Roskam (R- Illinois) was the luncheon keynote speaker.

At the afternoon briefing session IIABA Chairman Bob Fulwider presented the Sidney O. Smith Award to Tom Minkler, State National Director from N.H., and Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee, for his persistent efforts in promoting the Big ‘I’ legislative goals.

Tom Minkler then took me by surprise by presenting me with the Barney Burns Award for my work as NY InsurPac Chair. This award was named after Bernard Burns, a former IIABA Past President, who founded InsurPac in 1975. I am very proud to be added to the list of previous recipients.

IIABA CEO Bob Rusbuldt proceeded with the legislative briefing, followed by Sr. VP of
Government Affairs Charles Symington, Tom Koonce, Asst VP of Gov’t Affairs, and Jason Spence, Asst VP of Gov’t Affairs. We left well armed with our position on the issues.

On April 3rd Bob Rusbuldt opened the breakfast meeting at 7:00 AM by introducing Congressman James Clyburn (D-S.C.), House Majority Whip. He was followed by Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), who is a former Superintendent of Insurance of Maine. Both of them knew what they were talking about on the subject of insurance issues.

After breakfast we headed to the “Hill”, our first appointment being with Congressman Tim Bishop who was in accord with us on our issues. After a visit to the IAABA Capitol Hill office, and lunch, we met with Adam Paulson, Sr. Legislative Assistant to Congressman Pete King who couldn’t be there. We then met with Steven Boms, Legislative Assistant to Congressman Gary Ackerman, followed by Michael Ryan, Legislative Director for Congressman Steve Israel. Some of the group split off to visit with Senators Schumer and Clinton, who weren’t available either. We did get our points across to all these aides.

That evening the trade show part of the Convention opened from 6- 10 PM, which included many insurance companies and industry vendors.

On Friday the General Session opened with a State of the Association message from IIABA Chair Bob Fulwider. He was followed by CEO Bob Rusbuldt who moderated an election year debate between CNN Political Analyst Paul Begala and MSNBC Political Analyst Tucker Carlson. The debate was serious, truthful, enlightening and also very humorous. With Bob moderating no blood was drawn.

To end the session we were entertained by a group called “Capitol Steps” which satirized politics and politicians. They were very good. See if you can guess who they were satirizing in the photos.


Congressman Peter Roskam (R-Illinois) Keynote Speaker at the Young Agents/InsurPac State Chairpersons luncheon.	IIABA Chair Bob Fulwider presents the Sidney O. Smith Award to Tom Minkler, State National Director from N.H. and IIABA Chair of Government Affairs Committee for his persistent work in promoting the Big ”I” legislative goals.

Tom Minkler presenting Vinny Alba with the Barney Burns InsurPac Award for NYS results.	CEO & Pres. Bob Rusbuldt opening the legislative briefing session.

Charles Symington, Sr. VP of Government Affairs leading the briefing.	NYS National Director Steve Spiro and IIABA Chair Bob Fulwider congratulating Vinny Alba on receiving the Barney Burns Award.

Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC) speaker at the breakfast meeting.	Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) former Superintendent of Insurance also spoke at the breakfast meeting.

Vinny Alba being congratulated by Tom Helbach, State National Director from N.H. and last year’s recipient of the Barney Burns Award.	Vinny Alba, George Brooks, Don Hester, Mike Romeo, Adam Paulson, Sr.Legislative Assistant to Congressman Peter King, John Mulvey and Jeff Rehm.

Vinny Alba, Jeff Rehm, Steven Bohms, Legislative Assistant to Congressman Gary Ackerman, Don Hester and George Brooks.