Five Appalachian State University students and Professor David Marlett, Managing Director of the Brantley Risk and Insurance Center, recently participated in the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) Legislative Conference in Washington DC.
The students are junior risk management and insurance and marketing double major McKenzie Siner of Concord; junior risk management and insurance and supply chain management double major Luke Mulvey of Greensboro; junior finance and banking and risk management and insurance double major John Robinson of Greensboro, junior risk management and insurance major Caleb Hardee of High Point; and junior risk management and insurance major and human resource management minor Christy Simpers of Conover.
The event, which was held May 3-5, 2017, is a forum for the independent agency system to educate members of Congress on issues important to agents and their clients. More information.
The group, along with independent agents and brokers, met with members of Congress to discuss health care, flood insurance and tax reform. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) led the students to the House Gallery to observe the rowdy vote on H.R. 1628 American Health Act of 2017.
Pictured from left are McKenzie Siner, Luke Mulvey, Christy Simpers, David Marlett, Caleb Hardee, John Robinson and Sam Marlett.
Students met with Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and listened to Representative Joe Kennedy (D-Mass) as he discussed the importance of political involvement of local agents when making policy decisions about complex topics like health care and tax reform. Senator Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) delivered a keynote address to the IIABA membership at its annual legislative conference.
“We appreciate the invitation and support from the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina," said Marlett. "This is a unique opportunity for college students to interact with Senators and Representatives in small group setting and discuss serious issues.”
About the Brantley Center
Appalachian's Risk Management and Insurance Program is the seventh largest in the country. The college's Brantley Risk and Insurance Center, founded in 1988 with support from the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, supports research and faculty development, assists the insurance industry in the design and delivery of training and continuing education programs, and facilitates interaction between students, faculty and the professionals in the insurance industry. For more information about the center, visit http://insurance.appstate.edu.
From left: Former Brantley Center Board of Advisors Member Bo Walker, McKenzie Siner, David Marlett, Luke Mulvey, John Robinson, Caleb Hardee, Brantley Center Board of Advisors Member Neil Annas, Christy Simpers
