The Hill Newspaper Names Big ‘I’ Leaders Among Top D.C. Lobbyists

The Hill, a prominent political newspaper, has once again named Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO, and Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of external and government affairs, among the top trade association lobbyists in Washington, D.C.

Like last year, the Big “I” was the only insurance agent/broker group to make the list.

“The Big ‘I’ is proud to have its government affairs team recognized, once again, by one of the premier political newspapers in the country,” says Spencer Houldin, Big “I” chairman and president of Ericson Insurance Advisors in Washington Depot, Connecticut. “We are grateful to Bob Rusbuldt, Charles Symington and the entire government affairs team for the hard work and dedication that consistently results in our association being named among the most influential in the country.”

The Hill piece acknowledged the association’s efforts to delay the Affordable Care Act’s “Cadillac” tax provision and protect the NFIP.

“The Big ‘I’ government affairs staff has been recognized for a number of years as one of the top lobbying operations in the country and was the only group listed that represents insurance agents and brokers,” says Lee Schilling, Big “I” government affairs committee chairman and president of Schilling & Reid Insurance in Amite, Louisiana. “The professional and well-respected team we have in our nation’s capital diligently represents our members from across the country and we thank them on behalf of the entire agent and broker community.”

Congressional leaders regularly tap the Big “I” federal government affairs team for its political acumen for sitting on congressional steering committees, raising campaign dollars, hosting political events, and strategizing to help members of Congress better serve their constituents and advance top issues. A vital component of the association’s advocacy efforts is InsurPac, the Big “I” political action committee, which has disbursed approximately $2.1 million this election cycle to congressional campaigns on both sides of the aisle that are supportive of the independent agency system.

This year’s list also recognized several former members of Congress who are now leaders of trade associations, including Sens. Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut) and Gordon Smith (R-Oregon) and Reps. James Greenwood (R-Pennsylvania) and Jim Nussle (R-Iowa). Several former governors, including Dirk Kempthorne (R-Idaho), John Engler (R-Michigan) and Tim Pawlenty (R-Minnesota), also made the list.

The complete article and list are available on The Hill’s website.

Margarita Tapia is Big “I” director of public affairs.