Big ‘I’ Installs New Chair
The Big “I” installed Illinois’ Greg Sandrock, partner at The Cornerstone Agency in Tampico, as the 2026-2027 Big “I” chair at the recent Big “I” Fall Leadership Conference in Baltimore.
Sandrock has held key leadership roles within the Big “I” on both the state and national level. Sandrock was the president of Big I Illinois and served as its national director, prior to joining the Big “I” Executive Committee in 2022. He has also served as a member and chairman of the Big “I” Crop Insurance Task Force, as well as a member of the InsurPac Board of Trustees, the Big “I” Steering Committee, and the Big “I” Government Affairs Committee. Sandrock is a passionate advocate for the importance of crop insurance.
“Greg’s decades serving the association prove his strong leadership skills, deep industry expertise and commitment to advocating on Capitol Hill on behalf of independent insurance agents,” says Charles Symington, Big “I” president & CEO. “We’re grateful for Greg’s passion for the independent agency community as he steps into his role as chair and look forward to continuing to provide Big ‘I’ members with the support and resources they need to thrive in the year ahead.”
As the new chair, Sandrock is focused on strengthening young agent involvement in the national association, as well as supporting state associations in their outreach to emerging leaders. He also prioritizes helping the independent agency channel leverage technology to improve efficiency while still delivering trusted guidance, tailored service and personal connection.
“As independent agencies across the country face the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly evolving technology landscape, I am committed to building on our success in developing the next generation of leaders who will strengthen the independent agency channel,” Sandrock says. “I am proud to give back to the independent agent community and look forward to working with the Big ‘I’ state associations to empower independent agents and advocate for the future of the agency system.”
Along with Sandrock’s installation, Bryan Clinkscales, owner of Boone Ritter Insurance in Springdale, Arkansas, was sworn in as Big “I” chairman-elect. George “Chip” Atkins III, CEO of RH Clarkson Insurance Group in Louisville, Kentucky, was sworn in as Big “I” vice chair. Sandrock succeeds Chair Angela Ripley, owner and president of VW Brown Insurance Service in Columbia, Maryland, who will remain on the Big “I” Executive Committee for an additional year as immediate past chair.
Founded in 1896, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing more than 25,000 agency locations. Big “I” members are trusted insurance advisers who offer consumers all types of insurance—property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products—from a choice of insurance companies.
Will Jones is IA editor-in-chief.
