NU Online News Service, March 8, 4:00 p.m. EST

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America have awarded Ronald Tubertini the Woodworth Memorial Award, their highest member honor.

Presented at the association's Legislative Conference & Convention in Washington last week, the award recognizes the meritorious and outstanding contributions of an independent agent or broker to the national organization, to their IIABA colleagues and to the insurance industry.

"Ronnie Tubertini has a long and distinguished record of service with the national association," said David Daniel, IIIABA chairman, who presented the award.

"Woodworth Memorial winners have one element in common--an uncommon dedication to the industry and to the association," he noted.

Mr. Tubertini, president of SouthGroup Insurance and Financial Services in Ridgeland, Miss., served two terms on the IIABA's National Board of Directors. He was chairman of the Government Affairs Committee and is currently serving his fourth year as chairman of the Professional Liability Committee.

He has also served on the Agents & Brokers Roundtable, the Agents Advocacy Fund Committee, and the Governance and Communications Task Forces.

IIABA said Mr. Tubertini has played an active role in the insurance industry, both at the state and national level, and has testified numerous times on behalf of independent agents before Congress and his state legislature.

An advocate for recruiting new talent into the industry, he served as chairman of the University of Mississippi Ole Miss Insurance Advisory Board.

He has spoken on behalf of agents in industry boardrooms, including on the board of the Brierfield Insurance Company, the Mississippi Insurance Managers and the Associated Insurers of Mississippi.