This week in Washington, D.C., the 2025 Big “I" Legislative Conference set the stage for celebrating standout members who embody the very best of the Big “I."

Honoring those who've gone above and beyond, the awards spotlight individuals whose impact stretches across the insurance industry, their communities, and the association itself.

Here are this year's winners:

Woodworth Memorial Award: L. Scott Stanford

During the Big “I" Legislative Breakfast on Thursday, Todd Jackson, Big “I" chairman and owner and partner at McGowan Insurance Group in Indianapolis, presented L. Scott Stanford, president of Stanford Agency in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, with the 2025 Woodworth Memorial Award—the highest honor the Big “I" bestows on an individual member.

Scott Stanford (pictured, center, with Jackson, right, and Big "I" President & CEO Charles Symington, left) has dedicated over 40 years to serving the insurance industry and his community with unwavering commitment. As a strong advocate for independent agents at both the state and national levels, his leadership includes more than a decade on the Big “I" National Board, where he helped modernize governance and chaired several key task forces. At the state level, he played a central role in passing the 2003 New Jersey Auto Insurance Reform Act and served as chair of Big I New Jersey.

A mentor to emerging leaders and a driving force behind local association growth, Stanford has influenced governance, technology, markets and public service. His legacy is one of tireless service, meaningful reform and deep dedication to both the industry and his community.

“He is truly a selfless servant in all aspects of life," Jackson said. “This Big “I" member has been an indispensable leader in the areas of insurance, technology, governance, markets, legislative affairs, and finance. His profound contributions leave an indelible mark on the association and its members as he continues to commit to improve the industry he loves. We're thankful for his devotion to our industry, and especially to the Big “I."

Jeff Yates Lifetime Achievement Award: Frank Sheppard

Many beyond the agent community contribute to the vitality and strength of the independent agency system and the Jeff Yates Lifetime Achievement Award, named in honor of former Big “I" co-CEO Jeff Yates, is designed to recognize those special people. It is the highest recognition in the nation a non-agent can receive for a lifetime of work in the independent agency system.

Yesterday, during the Legislative Breakfast, Charles Symington, Big “I" president & CEO, awarded Frank Sheppard with the Jeff Yates Award.

Prior to his December 2024 retirement, Sheppard led the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of South Carolina (IIABSC) since 2006 after having served 14 years as its vice president and director of membership services for IIABSC, overseeing communications, association products and events.

Sheppard has dedicated his career to advocacy on insurance issues affecting the independent agency channel at both the state and federal levels. He mentored many young agents and association staff and shared his passion and innovative spirit in ways that will leave a powerful imprint on the industry for generations.

"I worked [with] and knew Jeff Yates, I know what this award means to our industry, and I'm just humbled to be one of its named recipients," Sheppard said in his video acceptance speech, as he was unable to attend and receive the award in person. “I'm proud of the work that Big 'I' agents do for their clients, for their communities, throughout the country. So, thank you, all of you Big 'I' members, for what you're doing. It was a true honor to work with you, to work for you, and I'm greatly blessed by this award."

Herndon Award: Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of California

Yesterday, during the Big “I" Legislative Breakfast, Charles Symington, Big “I" president & CEO, presented Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of California (IIABCal) with the 2024 Maurice Herndon Award. The Maurice Herndon award is given every year to the state association that has done exemplary work on legislative issues and government affairs the previous year.

Over the past year, IIABCal has steadily increased both its number of conference attendees and its overall participation with InsurPac, demonstrating a growing commitment to advocacy at the national level.

Meanwhile, IIABCal leaders have shown unwavering dedication as wildfires and other natural disasters impacted communities across the state.

“IIABCal has educated elected officials about the regulatory challenges that make it difficult for the property & casualty insurance marketplace to function properly," Symington said. “This Big 'I' state association led the charge to make some improvements to a state regulatory system by working constructively with their insurance commissioner, their governor, and their state legislature. While there is certainly more work to be done, these reforms would not have occurred without their leadership."

IIABCal members were in attendance to accept the award. Pictured from left to right are Brad Wilson, Dina Smith, Brandon Okita and Jill Epstein.

Inclusive Excellence Champion Award: Jason Rodriguez

For his contributions to the Big “I" Diversity Council and advancement of diversity and inclusion initiatives, Jason Rodriguez, managing partner of Prominent Insurance in Wilmington, Delaware, was presented with the 2024 Inclusive Excellence Champion Award.

Rodriguez is a passionate advocate for diversity in the insurance industry and leads his agency while also holding leadership roles as chairman of his state association, a Big “I" Board member, and a member of the Big “I" Diversity Council. Through his work on the Diversity Best Practices work group, he's helping develop national resources to support inclusion.

“For 15 years, he has been an active leader in his community. Serving as the CEO of his agency, he is committed to advancing minorities' participation and leadership in the insurance industry," said Brandon Okita, chair of the Big “I" Diversity Council and vice president of FIA Insurance Services in Torrance, California, and last year's recipient of the award.

Sidney O. Smith Award: Scott West

During the Big “I" Legislative Breakfast on Thursday, Jim Murphree, Big “I" government affairs chair and president of Jim Murphree Insurance Agency in Oneonta, Alabama, presented Scott West, owner of Pathfinder LL&D Group of Houston, Texas with the 2024 Sidney O. Smith Award. 

West routinely hosts members of Congress and candidates for federal office at his agency and discusses Big “I" legislative priorities with them before they are elected to Congress. He has served on the InsurPac Board of Trustees multiple times, and is among the top 25 all-time donors to InsurPac.

West (pictured, right, with Murphree) was recognized for his legislative involvement and advocacy on behalf of independent agents over the past year. This award “is a way of honoring someone who has displayed true leadership, rolling up their sleeves and going to bat for businesses in the area of government," Murphee said. “But today's honoree just hasn't been involved. He's embodied what it means to be a leader nationally to the Big 'I' and his community."

Dan Fulwider Award: Robyn Houston-Bean

During the Friday breakfast, Trusted Choice® presented Robyn Houston-Bean, owner and partner at Houston Insurance in Braintree, Massachusetts, with the Dan Fulwider Award for Community Involvement.

The Dan Fulwider Award for Community Involvement is named in memory of Dan Fulwider, an avid philanthropist and former government affairs coordinator and membership liaison for the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa. The award recognizes the Big “I" member who has gone above and beyond the call of service to truly make a lasting difference in their community over the past year.

After the death of her son to an overdose in 2015, she founded The Sun Will Rise Foundation, a nonprofit that provides free peer-led grief support for those navigating this unique and often stigmatized loss. Her effort has grown into a national network serving over 23-hundred participants each year, offering in-person and virtual grief support meetings, free community activities, and movement-based healing programs.

Through The Sun Will Rise, Houston-Bean (pictured, center, with Jackson, left, and Symington, right) has built a community where no one grieves alone, where trained peer facilitators support people from across the country who are dealing with this isolating loss.

“It's that work that distinguishes independent agents in cities and towns across the country—and why we honor those efforts at this event every year," said Todd Jackson, Big “I" chairman, as he presented the award.

As she accepted the award, Houston-Bean said, “I just want you all to remember that you play an important part in your own communities. You do little pieces of work all the time—the backbone of independent agents is our service to others. I'm so thankful that I was able to do this and thank you for this acknowledgement."

Young Agent of the Year Award: Brock Elliott

During the Emerging Leaders Luncheon, Brock Elliott, former chair of the Big “I" national Young Agents Committee (YAC) and producer and partner at Elliott Group in Louisburg, Kansas, was presented with the 2024 Young Agent of the Year Award.

For the past 13 years, Elliott has been a driving force in the independent insurance agent community, leading with passion and purpose.

“He has played a role in shaping the future of the industry, taking on leadership roles in the state and national levels on committees and boards, navigating complex industry challenges, and mentoring young agents to ensure a strong future of the independent agency system," said Cash McMillen, national YAC chair and executive vice president of operations at The Cashion Company in Little Rock, Arkansas, as he presented the award to Elliott (pictured, right, with McMillen).

“He has been a passionate advocate for causes that matter," McMillen added. “He has served as a vocal supporter of InsurPac and has worked to educate others about the importance of political advocacy."

Will Jones is IA editor-in chief. AnneMarie McPherson Spears is IA news editor. Olivia Overman is IA content editor.