Gilman Appointed Executive Director of Personal Lines Growth Alliance

Richard Gilman, APR, CMP, is the new executive director of the Personal Lines Growth Alliance, the organization’s board of directors announced this week. A 27-year veteran of the insurance industry, Gilman will oversee a communications, education and advocacy campaign to promote knowledge and understanding of how the personal lines market can add to an agency’s bottom line.
 
The mission of the Alliance is to work with the players in the independent agency system and help them grow their share of the personal lines market. The $230 billion of personal lines premiums represents a significant potential for independent agents, Gilman said. “It will be the Alliance’s role to provide a platform of information and education to agents and brokers on how to capture a greater share of that market.”
 
Steve Brooks, chairman of the PLGA board, said, “We are pleased to have Rick on board driving our campaign forward. His association leadership experience, knowledge of insurance and passion for the independent agency system makes Rick the right person for this position.”
 
Brooks, president of B & B Premier Insurance Solutions, has supported the Alliance from the very beginning and been instrumental in getting the organization off to a strong start, encouraging carriers and other agents to join the cause.
 
Gilman, prior to this new role, served as vice president of communications at ACORD. He began his career as a trade journalist for the Journal of Commerce and National Underwriter publications. He went on to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), where he was director of Subscriber Services. During his 12 years at I.I.I., he served as executive director of two other insurance associations.
 
About the Personal Lines Growth Alliance:
Launched in February 2010, the Personal Lines Growth Alliance (www.personallinesgrowth.org <http://www.personallinesgrowth.org/>) is a virtual association dedicated to improving the competitiveness of the independent agency distribution channel. The Alliance is backed by nearly 300 independent agents and brokers, trade associations and user groups, national and regional carriers, and several technology providers.

Published on December 10, 2010