At its Annual Meeting, the Association for Insurance Leadership (AIL) recognizes and honors employee benefits agency leaders who have contributed noteworthy innovation or leadership to the employee benefits industry and/or who have transformed their agency to some appreciable degree into a NextGeneration Benefits Firm®. Presented at the ASCEND Agency Growth & Leadership Summit, the AIL Awards are given in six categories: Summit (Overall Excellence), Reinvention, Fast Ascent, Growth, Innovation, and Leadership.
SUMMIT AWARD
The Association’s highest honor, the Summit Award is given “in recognition of your agency as an excellent example of a NextGeneration Benefits Firm” that can provide a superior and more cost-effective benefits plan for employers and enhanced benefits for employees.
2017 RECIPIENT
BRIAN TOLBERT
Bernard Health, Nashville, TN
2017 Summit Award winner Brian Tolbert (C) with Nelson L. Griswold (L) & Scott Cantrell
2016 RECIPIENT
TIM OLSON
The Olson Group, Omaha, NE
2016 Summit Award winner Tim Olson (C) with Nelson L. Griswold (L) & Scott Cantrell
REINVENTION AWARD
Given “in recognition of your impressive efforts in the reinvention of your agency as a NextGeneration Benefits Firm” that can provide a superior and more cost-effective benefits plan for employers and enhanced benefits for employees.
2017 RECIPIENT
RUDY GARCIA
Qandun Insurance Agency, Glendale, CA
2017 Reinvention Award Winner Rudy Garcia (C) with Nelson L. Griswold (L) & Scott Cantrell
2016 RECIPIENTS
TOM SCHUETZ & RANAE WARREN
Group Services, Inc., Bettendorf, IA
2016 Reinvention Award Winner Tom Schuetz (C) with Nelson L. Griswold (L) & Scott Cantrell
LEADERSHIP AWARD
Given “in recognition of your respected leadership within the employee benefits industry.”
2017 RECIPIENTS
DAVID CONTORNO
Lake Norman Benefits, Mooresville, NC
Joe Cacciatore (C) accepts for 2017 Leadership Award Winner David Contorno with Nelson L. Griswold (L) & Scott Cantrell
2016 RECIPIENT
MARK GAUNYA
Borislow Insurance, Methuen, MA
2016 Leadership Award Winner Mark Gaunya (C) with Nelson L. Griswold (L) & Scott Cantrell
KARIN RETTGER
Principal Benefit Group, Glen Ellyn, IL
2017 Leadership Award Winner Karin Rettger (C) with Nelson L. Griswold (L) & Scott Cantrell
FAST ASCENT AWARD
Given in “recognition of your impressive progress in the reinvention of your agency as a NextGeneration Benefits Firm” that can provide a superior and more cost-effective benefits plan for employers and enhanced benefits for employees.
2017 RECIPIENT
RANDY HANSEN
PSG Washington, Everett, WA
2017 Fast Ascent Award Winner Randy Hansen (L) with Nelson L. Griswold (C) & Scott Cantrell
2016 RECIPIENT
WINFRED & STEPHANIE KIRKSEY
KB Squared Benefits, Atlanta, GA
2016 Fast Ascent Award Winners Winfred and Stephanie Kirksey (C) with Nelson L. Griswold (L) & Scott Cantrell
INNOVATION AWARD
Given “in recognition of your contribution to the advancement of innovation in the employee benefits industry.”
2017 RECIPIENTS
BILL GERACI
MAGIC Health Insurance Solutions, Sunbury, OH
2017 Innovation Award Winner Bill Geraci (C) with Nelson L. Griswold (L) & Scott Cantrell
2016 RECIPIENTS
GARY BECKER
Becker Benefit Group, Owings Mills, MD
2016 Innovation Award Winner Gary Becker (R) with Nelson L. Griswold
PETE SCRUGGS
Golsan Scruggs, Battleground, WA
Pam Hublitz (C) accepts for 2017 Innovation Award Winner Pete Scruggs with Nelson L. Griswold (L) & Scott Cantrell
GREG CARLTON
Peel & Holland, Benton, KY
2016 Innovation Award Winner Greg Carlton (R) with Gary Becker (L) & Craig Lack
CRAIG LACK
ENERGI, San Juan Capistrano, CA
2016 Innovation Award Winner Craig Lack (R) with Nelson L. Griswold (L) & Gary Becker
GROWTH AWARD
Given “in recognition of your firm’s impressive organic revenue growth over the past 12 months” as a result of your efforts to create a NextGeneration Benefits Firm.
2017 RECIPIENT
DAWN SHEUE
Summit Insurance Services, Jackson, WY
2017 Growth Award Winner Dawn Sheue and the 2017 Growth Award
2016 RECIPIENT
BILL HUGHES
Hughes Benefits, Waco, TX
2016 Growth Award Winner Bill Hughes (C) with Nelson L. Griswold (L) & Scott Cantrell