Big ‘I’ Presents InsurPac Awards

• By: Will Jones
• April 23, 2026

InsurPac, the Big “I” political action committee (PAC), raised $1,303,715.93 during the 2025 calendar year. This week, the Big “I” recognized states for their outstanding achievements and presented the 2025 Bernard J. Burns Award at the 2026 Big “I” Legislative Conference.  

This year’s winners include:  

InsurPac National Championship Award (South Carolina): The award goes to the state whose agents contribute the most money to InsurPac in a calendar year. Collectively, this state’s agents contributed $106,940 to InsurPac.  

InsurPac Young Agent National Championship Award (South Carolina): The award honors the state whose young agents donate the most money to InsurPac. Young agents from South Carolina contributed $28,120. Overall, young agents invested a total of $246,893 to InsurPac.

Big “I” Presidents Cup (New York): The award is presented annually to the state whose past and current state presidents or chairs contribute the most money to InsurPac. Last year’s contributions totaled $30,051.

InsurPac Eagle Award (awarded to 23 states): The award recognizes states that surpass a fundraising average of $100 per member agency. The states and average per-member agency amounts for last year are as follows:  

• Alabama $119
• Alaska $116
• Arkansas $156
• Connecticut $159
• Georgia $128
• Indiana $111
• Kentucky $114
• Maine $144
• Maryland $190
• Michigan $104
• Mississippi $100
• Montana $116
• Nebraska $139
• Nevada $250
• New Hampshire $148
• New Jersey $121
• North Dakota $111
• Rhode Island $112
• South Carolina $359
• South Dakota $130
• Tennessee $101
• Wisconsin $106
• Wyoming $206

Also, the 2025 Bernard J. Burns Award was presented to Sean Stewart, managing director of Higginbotham Insurance in Brunswick, Georgia.

Stewart has been the Georgia InsurPac chair for the last four years. Since stepping into the role, he has focused on perpetuating future donors by boosting young agent participation and creating a culture of monthly donations. During his term as chair, Georgia has been among the top five states in total money raised.

“Sean represents the very best of InsurPac leadership,” said Nathan Riedel, Big “I” senior vice president, Federal Government Affairs. “He didn’t just raise funds—he built momentum, expanded participation and helped secure the future strength of our advocacy efforts.”

“He understands that a strong InsurPac means a stronger voice for independent agents. His leadership and results have made a lasting impact both in Georgia and across the country.”

The award is named after former Big “I” President Barney Burns, who founded InsurPac in 1975 and served as chairman of its Board of Trustees until 1983. During these years, Burns is credited with the rapid growth of InsurPac, working tirelessly to educate agents about the importance of being politically active and contributing to InsurPac.

Will Jones is IA editor-in-chief.