The Professional Insurance Agents of Florida has named its new officers to lead the association starting October 1, 2006. The four officers will help direct the association as it works toward its goals of providing quality educational programs, representing the association before the legislature and other boards, and offering agents assistance so they can successfully compete in the market.

Bob Fowinkle, CIC, CLU, has been named as the new PIA president. He is the owner of the Moore, Fowinkle & Schroer Agency in Bradenton. Fowinkle has chaired PIA's legislative committee and was awarded Agent of the Year in 2004 for his service to the association. Phil Zelman has been named president-elect. He has been an independent agent for 18 years with experience in both the property and casualty and life and health lines of insurance. Zelman currently is the vice president and co-owner of the NCF Insurance Associates in Coral Gables. Brian Samburg will serve as PIA's vice president. He is the president and founding principle of Southeast Insurance Agency in Boca Raton where he oversees the sales and management development function. The new PIA secretary/treasurer is Patricia "Patsy" Cummings, CPIA. She is currently president and owner of Insurance by Kaiser, Inc.

PIA of Florida CEO Mark O'Connell said the new slate of officers would help spur the association to new heights and provide association members with new opportunities. "We are very impressed with the officers' involvement in our association, promoting the insurance industry, and helping to generate more open markets. Each of the officers has been instrumental in the growth of our association and we see the officers, as well as the rest of the board, furthering the industry even more," he said.