Correll CEO Jon Jensen Elected Chairman of Big “I”

For someone who literally grew up in a family-owned independent insurance agency, being named chairman of the premier professional association for independent agents is just recognition for a lifetime of commitment to the business.

Indeed, Correll Insurance Group President & CEO Jon Jensen’s experience and optimism make him the perfect person to be in the industry’s most visible leadership role. He will be installed as chairman of Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (Big “I”) later this year. The Big “I” is a national alliance of more than a quarter million business owners and their employees who offer all types of insurance and financial services products.

Being selected by his peers to chair the Big “I” is also a statement about how respected Jensen — and Correll — is in the industry. A longtime member of the Big “I” and proponent of the independent agency system, Jensen is a former recipient of the Independent Insurance Agents of South Carolina Young Agent and Agent of the Year awards. Jensen previously chaired the national association’s Government Affairs Committee and InsurPac Committee. And earlier this year, Jensen was sworn in as chairman of the World Federation of Insurance Intermediaries in Rome, the first time a Big “I” representative who has been selected for that role.

Since getting his start as a 16-year-old producer in his mother’s agency in Florida, Jensen has seen a lot of changes in the industry. In some ways, the environment for an independent agent has never been more challenging. Hiring and retention pressures, increasing demands from carriers and an uncertain political environment are impacting how independent agencies operate and plan for the future.

At the same time, Jensen is as bullish as ever on the future of independent insurance industry. And he believes the Big “I” is an essential part of helping its members navigate the landscape.

“We represent an industry that quite frankly is unparalleled,” Jensen said. We give individuals piece of mind so they can sleep at night (and I don’t mean by reading their policies), the security to build or buy a home, the ability to start and run a business. Our industry in many ways is a driving force of the world’s economy. Our industry is truly a noble career and we have to start talking more and more about that.”