Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) is a national association of independent insurance agents.
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The national association is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia and has affiliate offices in every state and the District of Columbia.
History
The association was founded in 1896 as the National Association of Local Fire Insurance Agents. In 1913, the organization changed its name to the National Association of Insurance Agents when it expanded to include property-casualty business and coverages. The name was changed again in 1975 to the Independent Insurance Agents of America. In 2002, the association became the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big "I") to encompass the group’s entire membership of independent insurance agents and brokers. Robert Rusbuldt is the current Big "I" president & CEO.
Leadership
Robert A. Rusbuldt is president and chief executive officer of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, Inc. (IIABA or the Big “I”). He joined the association’s team in 1986 and was named CEO in 2001.
During his time at IIABA, Rusbuldt has earned recognition as one of the leading experts on tax, banking, insurance and financial services issues in Washington, D.C. He has been named as one of the most influential leaders in the insurance industry by numerous organizations. The Washington Post, Roll Call and The Hill have named Rusbuldt as one of the “hot,” top lobbyists in Washington.
As a national and local sought after guest, Rusbuldt appears regularly on FOX News, CNN, CNBC, Bloomberg, Washington’s CBS affiliate WUSA-TV, Washington’s News Channel 8 and other networks and shows to offer expert comment on political, legislative, policy, business and insurance issues. Rusbuldt speaks regularly at forums around the country.
Rusbuldt graduated Summa Cum Laude from The King’s College, New York, and earned his Master of Arts from American University in Washington, D.C. He was chosen to participate in the Symposium on the Presidency in 1978 and the American Studies Program.
Rusbuldt’s tenure in Washington includes five years with Rep. Carroll Campbell (R-South Carolina), where he was responsible for House Ways and Means Committee work. He also worked for the American Insurance Association, representing some of the largest property-casualty insurance companies in the country. Rusbuldt was a program analyst at the U.S. Department of Labor and also served as a research analyst for the Federation of Tax Administrators.
Rusbuldt has served on the National Capital MS Board since 2002 and was recently named as co-chair of the Kasich presidential campaign Steering Committee with Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio). Rusbuldt serves on numerous boards including as a member of the Connecticut Community Bank Board (InsurBanc), as chairman of the TrustedChoice.com board, and on the executive committee of the World Federation of Insurance Intermediaries.
Additionally, Rusbuldt has worked on a number of political campaigns and has authored articles on tax policy, insurance, banking, economic, legislative and political issues.
Rusbuldt and his wife, Barbara, reside in Fairfax County, Virginia. They have three adult children.
Lobbying efforts
The IIABA has spent more than $1 million in 2010 in lobbying efforts on federal crop insurance, insurance licensing reform, and other insurance issues.
The IIABA supported the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act of 2013 (H.R. 1155; 113th Congress), a bill which would reduce the regulatory costs of complying with multiple states' requirements for insurance companies, making it easier for the same company to operate in multiple states.