Committees
Looking for a way to become engaged in your association, network with fellow agents and give back to your industry? If so, then serving on an IIANC committee is a great place to start! This is a great opportunity to provide input that will help guide the initiatives of IIANC. Working together to combine talents and ideas, we can build a stronger IIANC to benefit members and the independent agency system.
Our committee sign up period typically opens during the summer for the following membership year (which runs September-August.) Below are the committees which accept volunteers and some FAQ on the committee process. If you are interested in serving on a committee, email
bfaulkner@iianc.com as there are sometimes available spots during the year.
Agency Technology Committee
Monitor industry developments and recommend new products and procedures to help agency members improve operating efficiency and customer service using technology.
Chairman: Landon Bentham, MBA, TRA - Callahan & Rice Insurance Group - Fayetteville, NC
Staff Liaison: Mitchell DeHaven - Director of Digital Solutions
Meeting Format/Frequency: Quarterly; Majority (if not all) meetings will be held virtually
2023-24 Committee Members: Deon Dunn, Brian Garrett, April Jones, Terry Robinson, and John Ross
Diversity & Inclusion Committee
This committee is charged with providing IIANC direction and suggestions on being a more inclusive organization and increasing minority participation within the association. Current initiatives of the Diversity Committee include the Diversity Scholarship and the HBCU Agency Internship Experience.
Chairman: Raquel Tillman CPCU, ARM, AU - Tillman Insurance Advisors, Charlotte, NC
Staff Liaison: Aubie Knight - IIANC CEO
Meeting Format/Frequency: Majority (if not all) meetings will be held virtually
2023-24 Committee Members: Mitchell Brown, Marlow Campbell, Steve Chalk, Kelly Elwood, Jill Frederico, Jammie Gomis, Tim Haseleu, Trisha Lewis, Monty Ross, and Deirdre Rushin
Government Affairs Committee
Assists in the development of IIANC's legislative program and recommends it for approval to the Board of Directors in a complete and timely manner. Committee members are active in lobbying efforts including the IIABA National Legislative Conference and in the NC General Assembly as well as fundraising efforts for the association's PACs.
Chairman: Charles Eyler - Peak Insurance Group, Boone, NC
Staff Liaison: Joe Stewart - IIANC Vice President of Governmental Affairs
Meeting Format/Frequency: Majority (if not all) meetings will be held virtually
2023-24 Committee Members: Sammy Anderson, Anna Bailey, Michael Betters, Wortham Boyle, John Bradford, Harry Bray, Mitchell Brown, Jim Burgin, Kevin Corbin, Jessica Cromer, Kelly Elwood, Joel Ford, Dan Gilbert, Steve Griffin, Kenneth Harper, Rick Heckle, Chris Humphrey, Jackie Ireland, Todd Johnson, Robby Jones, Andrew Kaiser, Patrick Laney, Jessica Medlin, Graham Neville, Michelle O'Connor, Paul O'Neal, Rick Pierce, Stuart Powell, Darrin Rankin, Mark Rice, Stephen Roe, Monty Ross, Deirdre Rushin, Vickie Sawyer, Lisa Sharrard, David Smith, Jason Smith, Tim Ward, Craig Watson, and Lesa Williams
iLEAD (Young Agents) Committee
Actively recruits the involvement of iLEAD members (Young Agents) in the affairs of the Association and works to develop leadership and networking in the iLEAD community. This is an active, hands-on committee that helps plan, facilitate and recruit involvement for various iLEAD events and programs including the Young Agents Development Conference, IIANC Charity Golf Tournament, philanthropic activities, local networking events, etc. This iLEAD Committee is open to member agents and PARTNER company reps age 41 and under or with less than five years industry experience.
Chairman: Daniel Rohrbaugh, TRA - Raleigh Insurance Group, Raleigh, NC
Immediate Past Chairman: Landon Bentham, MBA, TRA - Callahan & Rice, Fayetteville, NC
Staff Liaison: Allyson Knott - IIANC Meetings & Events Manager
Meeting Format/Frequency: Quarterly in-person meetings at IIANC office (virtual option is offered as well)
2023-24 Committee Members: Michael Betters, Kelly Booth, Jessica Cromer, Christian Evans, Kimberly Fox, Alyssa Kendrick, Sarah Koolhof, Reggia LaFuria, Walker Ross, Owen Thomas, and Merritt Tongen
Membership Engagement Committee
Assists the IIANC staff in increasing association engagement among agency members. Committee members are asked to help during the onboarding of new members through a welcome ambassador program and will also help to increase engagement with current members through outreach programs via phone calls, email, events, etc.
Chairman: Kevin Whitley - Whitley Insurance Services, LLC, Cedar Point, NC
Staff Liaison: Jill Lewis - IIANC Director of Membership
Meeting Format/Frequency: Majority (if not all) meetings will be held virtually
Women IA-Executives Network (WIN)
Designed BY and FOR women agency owners and executives, WIN provides the opportunity to build meaningful and mutually beneficial connections with peers, to pursue targeted professional development and to have open, honest discussions about agency management and career issues facing women…all in a safe, confidential space.
Chairman: Merritt Tongen - The L.N. Davis Company, Waynesville, NC
Staff Liaison: Rebecca Shigley - IIANC COO
Meeting Format/Frequency: Majority
(if not all) meetings will be held virtually
2023-24 Committee Members: Anna Bailey, April Jones, Michelle O'Connor, Julie Ross, Lisa Sharrard, and Hadley Wilson
Committee Info to Note:
- The committee service year runs from September - August.
- Committee service is open to IIANC member agents or IIANC PARTNER company reps only (in good standing).
- Committee sign up period is held during August. Info on sign ups are emailed to members and posted on IIANC social media channels and website.
- Anyone currently serving on one of the above committees who would like to be reconsidered for the next year must submit his/her name again.
- Meetings are usually held at the IIANC office in Cary and/or via Zoom/conference call. For in-person meetings, there is always the option to attend via phone.
- Committee members are expected to contribute annually to IIANC PACs to help protect your industry.
- Some committees may have additional expectations for committee member participation that will be communicated prior to committee appointment.
- Signing up does not guarantee committee appointment as space on committee may be limited for efficiency and/or budget constraints.
Questions? Please contact the respective staff liaison listed above for questions about a specific committee. Contact Brad Faulkner at bfaulkner@iianc.com with general questions on our committee structure or appointment process.