The Independent Insurance Agents of Maryland honored several professionals at their annual installation dinner, including their “Insurance Man of the Year,” Brett Lininger.

The association’s 72nd dinner was held recently at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Md., and featured a keynote address by Lenny Moore, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and former Baltimore Colt. Moore spoke about his career both on and off the field, including his work with the “Leslie Moore Foundation,” named after his son who battled scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease involving tightening and thickening of the skin.

Among those receiving awards were Don Dudey, honored with the IIAM President’s Award for Outstanding Education Achievement. Dudey is one of the association’s primary instructors, having facilitated 17 seminars for 191 students. His work provided 1,388 continuing education credits. His award was presented by IIAM President Angela Ferguson and Jennifer Maxwell of Progressive, which sponsored the award.

Also honored was John Darlington for his more than two decades of service to the IIAM legislative committee, where he will continue to serve as co-chairman for the upcoming Maryland General Assembly session.

Brett Lininger

Another member of the committee, Brett Lininger, was presented with the Stanley Betts “Insurance Man of the Year” award, named after the former IIAM president, and given to a professional who has contributed the most to the industry. The award is not presented annually, but only when a person is nominated and the committee feels that person has gone beyond the call of duty in assisting the independent agent.

Lininger is an associate at Semmes, Bowen and Semmes in Baltimore, Md., and serves as lobbyist for the IIAM, and during the last session, worked diligently on several issues including bills clarifying condominium responsibility and the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund, according to the association.

“[Lininger] met with legislators, attended all hearings and always provided the association with a full report,” Ferguson said in presenting the award. “He has a solid understanding of the process and was always available to provide the association with guidance. …Brett has been a solid addition to our already ‘above average’ legislative committee.”

View photos from the IIAM installation dinner.