Big ‘I’ names Symington president, CEO
Symington has been with the insurance agent & broker trade group for nearly 20 years.
The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big “I”) has named Charles Symington its next president & CEO, effective immediately.
He replaces Bob Rusbuldt, who announced last year that he would be retiring in September 2023.
“The Big ‘I’ is proud to have such a dedicated and experienced leader at the helm,” Big “I” Chairman John Costello of USI Insurance Services in Rochester, New York, said in a release. “Charles has spent many years fiercely advocating on behalf of the independent agency channel and is well-attuned to the needs of independent agents and brokers across the country.”
Symington joined the trade organization nearly 20 years ago as a member of the organization’s government affairs staff. Since then, he has held a range of roles, including serving as senior vice president of external, industry and government affairs. In September 2022, he was named Big “I” executive vice president and was chosen as Rusbuldt’s successor.
Recognized as one of the top lobbyists in Washington, D.C., Symington has successfully rallied support for a number of industry causes, including substantial small business tax relief, defending a modernized state regulatory system for insurance, preserving the Federal Crop Insurance Program and National Flood Insurance Program and extending the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, the Big “I” reported.
Prior to joining the trade association, Symington was a senior counsel with the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services and previously served as a majority counsel for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, with a concentration on health care policy.
Before his time working with Congress, Symington worked in private practices in Atlanta and Virginia, specializing in insurance defense litigation.
“Independent insurance agents are a critical piece of our nation’s economy with their tireless work serving their communities and protecting the livelihoods and property of their neighbors,” Symington said in a release. “As we provide resources, support and advocacy for independent agents through the challenges and opportunities ahead, I look forward to working together with the many dedicated leaders in our industry to improve and protect the independent agency channel and the many customers it serves.”
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