WIAA Installs 2008-2009 Officers and Directors

Rancho Cordova, Calif. — The Western Insurance Agents Association (WIAA), one of the oldest agent/broker associations in the Western region, announced the confirmation of its board members and officers for the 2008-2009 term. The board officers were officially installed at the group’s annual member meeting.

The 2008-2009 Board Officers include:

Chairman
Kathy McDonald, CPIW, leads the board after having held numerous officer and director positions. McDonald recently joined the Watkin Insurance Group LLC in Henderson, Nev., and brings to them her more than 25 years of experience in all lines of insurance. 

Chairman-Elect
Phil Hakopian is the president/owner of Cornerstone Commercial and Personal Insurance Services of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Over his 20-year insurance career, Hakopian has cultivated many successful client relationships as well as with vendors and other insurance professionals. According to WIAA Bylaws, he will automatically take the Chairman position next term.

Vice Chairman
Industry veteran, Neal Stanley, is EVP of United Valley Insurance Services Inc., an independent agency cluster headquartered in Fresno, Calif. With more than 30 years of experience in the management and development of insurance companies and insurance agencies, Stanley has held executive positions at a number of organizations as well as continuing as an attorney admitted to practice California.   

Secretary/Treasurer
Carol Connors began her career in the surplus lines field and hasn’t changed her course. As the owner and founder of Ck Specialty Insurance Association Inc., Carol has successfully grown the Morgan Hill, Calif.-based agency from one office to five offices in California, Oregon and Nevada. 

Michael Golden of Imhoff Sunland Insurance in Fresno, Calif. is immediate past chairman. 

The WIAA board directors continuing for the 2008-09 term include:

Directors
Richard Franko, Citywide Insurance Services, Phoenix
Jack Galloway, Barney & Barney, San Diego
Steve Harrington, Harrington Insurance, San Jose
Tony Napoli, Napoli Insurance, Mission Hills, Calif.

Directors-at-large
Jeff Barnett, Mackie Insurance Brokerage, El Dorado Hills, Calif.
Marty Fox, Clovis Insurance Services, Clovis, Calif.
Tom Powell, Cal-Valley Insurance Services, Fresno, Calif.
 
WIAA’s Ken Nigohosian works hand-in-hand with the board as COO on new and ongoing association initiatives. Nigohosian joined WIAA in September 2006 as EVP. 

WIAA offers membership to agents and brokers in California, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico, and continues to serve the needs of insurance professionals.

Source: WIAA