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It's that time of year again, the library is abuzz with classes starting and we're busy preparing for our seventh annual Insurance Professional of the Year Award Ceremony. As of today, the library has 30 tables spoken for, leaving only five up for grabs (you should definitely lay claim to a table soon if you're interested in attending). This Year's winner is a popular choice, Richard W. Brewer of Promutual Group.

We were asked awhile ago what made the Insurance Professional of the Year Award special. While it states on our website:

Made possible by the establishment of the Richard B. Simches Fund in 2001,the Insurance Professional of the Year Award is presented each year to a person who demonstrates leadership and exemplifies those qualities that engender understanding of and respect for the insurance industry.

it may not be obvious what an honor this award is, nor from what tradition it stems.

The Insurance Professional of the Year Award was preceded by the Boston Board of Fire Underwriters Man of the Year Award, which started in the 1950s. In the History of the Boston Board of Fire Underwriters, published on their 90th anniversary in 1955, it cites:

Among the "firsts" pioneered by the Boston Board of Fire Underwriters or its members were: The Coinsurance Clause, The Demolition Clause, Use and Occupancy
Insurance, The Agreed Amount Clause for benefit of fiduciaries, and, in more
recent years, The Fire Marshall Plan, Insurance Producers Council, New Standard
Fire Policy, The Greater Boston Fire Show and The Man of the Year Award.

Clearly, they valued the award, putting it among some very impressive "firsts." The award was presented every year at the Boston Board of Fire Underwriters anniversary dinner. It was a black tie affair that garnered much publicity. Below is an announcement of the 99th anniversary dinner which ran in the Boston Globe:

As you can see, the winner of that year's award was Maurice H. Saval, a major supporter of The Insurance Library, for whom the education center was named. The Boston Board of Fire Underwriter's award was last given at the 133rd anniversary dinner in 1996 to Francis A. Mancini.

Richard B. Simches, founder of Safety Insurance Company, believed that it was important to recognize outstanding individuals in the Insurance Industry. He supported continuing the tradition started by the Boston Board of Fire Underwriters Man of the Year Award through The Insurance Library's Insurance Professional of the Year Award.

The Insurance Professional of the Year Award winners are chosen by a group of their peers. Members from a cross-section of the Insurance Industry meet to nominate the winner. Because of the selection process, award winners know they are being honored by men and women familiar with the industry and their work within it.

The Award was first given in 2002 to William F. Hofmann, III and has been awarded for the last seven years to professionals that have shown exemplary devotion to the insurance industry and to the betterment of their communities. You can visit our website to see a list of all of the award winners and read their contributions in their bios.

We are very proud of the award that has been established, but even more proud to acknowledge the incredible professionals in the insurance industry. Once a year, members of the industry come together to honor an individual "who demonstrates leadership and exemplifies those qualities that engender understanding of and respect for the insurance industry." We hope that you can be among those this year honoring Richard W. Brewer on this fine achievement.