Highlighting the importance of agents to the property & casualty insurance industry, The Travelers Companies, Inc. recognizes a handful of individuals each year with its Personal Insurance Agent of the Year Award. The honorees exhibit best-in-class customer service and long-term profitable growth.

This year's recipients are:

• Sam Everette III, Alabama Insurance Alliance
• Aly Kanji, InsureLine Brokers Inc.
• Nathan Lewkowicz, Aaron L. Grober Agency Inc.
• Jean-Marie Lovett, MassDrive
• Natalie Magill, Capitol Agency
• Christopher L. Rosati, HomeServices Insurance
• Dan Scroggins, AAA Club Alliance Inc.
• Michael Tumpane, Guaranteed Rate Insurance
• Mark Turner, Goldenwest Insurance Services
• Raina Thomas Walton, RT Thomas Insurance

"Independent agents do more than sell insurance – they serve as trusted advisors, matching the best possible insurance solutions to their customers' needs," Michael Klein, executive vice president and president of personal insurance at Travelers, said in a release. "We're pleased to celebrate this particular group of agents, who have gone above and beyond to help their customers navigate the ever-changing risks of today's world."

This year's recipients shared with PropertyCasualty360.com their thoughts about emerging risks and how the industry can rise above its talent crisis. Find out what these top agents have to say by clicking through the above slideshow.