New Leadership Ushered in at IIABA

Michael Donohoe has been inaugurated as the new chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”), with Bobby Bramlett as chairman elect, Tom Minkler as vice chairman and Spencer Houldin as the new executive committee member. The new officers began their terms at the conclusion of the board meeting held in conjunction with the Big “I” Leadership Conference in Minneapolis.

Mike Donohoe is owner and agent of the James R. Weir Insurance Agency in Mankato, Minn., and was elected to the Big “I” Executive Committee in September 2006. Donohoe has contributed to the independent agency system in a variety of ways, says Big “I,” including serving the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers as its president and as its representative on the Big “I” national board of directors.

Bobby Bramlett is president and CEO of The Bramlett Agency in Ardmore, Okla., and began his insurance career with that same company in 1975. He has served as president and CEO of The Bramlett Agency since 1983, and purchased the agency from his parents.

Thomas Minkler is president of the Clark-Mortenson Agency in Keene, N.H., and a past-chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of New Hampshire, past New Hampshire director on the Big “I” National Board, and past-president of the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents. At the national association level, Minkler is past-chairman of the Big “I” Government Affairs Committee and has served on various other Big “I” committees.

Spencer M. Houldin is president of Ericson Insurance Services LLC, a second-generation insurance agency with offices in Litchfield County, Conn., and New York City. From 2008 to 2011, Houldin served as chairman of the Big “I” Government Affairs Committee and testified before numerous Congressional committees on behalf of the association. Big “I” says he also has represented the state of Connecticut on the IIABA Board from 2006 to 2011. In 2004, Houldin served as Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut president.