Four individuals were recognized by Ohio Insurance Institute on September 10, 2019 for their dedication to insurance education.

Allison Ferriell received the Insurance Educator of the Year award.  Each year, we provide the Insurance Educator of the Year award to an outstanding Ohio educator instructing on insurance or financial literacy topics. Educators committed to instructing on these topics are helping tomorrow’s consumers and workforce understand how insurance works as well as the many career opportunities available in the industry.

In appreciation, the award includes $1,000 to the winning educator, $500 to the educator’s school, special  recognition during our Annual Meeting, reimbursement of course fees for successfully completing a future graduate-credit workshop or course designed for high school teachers, and a recognition plaque.

Ferriell is an 11^th and 12^th grade educator at Dixie High School in New Lebanon, Ohio. She was nominated by her school’s principal.

“The Insurance Educator of the Year award is our way of recognizing an Ohio teacher for excellence in insurance education,” said Amanda­ Peltier, Vice President of Education and Workforce Development. “It’s necessary for students to understand how insurance works, as it’s an important tool in protecting against the financial risks that will be present throughout their lives. “

Three additional volunteers received awards for their involvement with our Speakers Network program.

Speakers Network is a group of volunteers with a wide range of insurance knowledge who present to classrooms and civic organizations to strengthen insurance understanding. Our Speakers Network awards recognize outstanding volunteers within the program. Award recipients include:

Kurtiss Troutwine, Senior Account Manage, SRL-Troutwine Insurance – Received Chairman’s Award for being identified as the top speaker within Speakers Network program.
Troutwine’s insurance career includes owning an independent agency for more than 30 years. He is a member of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big “I”) and serves as fire chief of the Arcanum Fire Department.

Philip Glesser, Field Claims Manager, The Cincinnati Insurance Companies – Received Top Speaker Award for being identified as a top speaker within Speakers Network program.
Glesser’s insurance career includes 20 years with The Cincinnati Insurance Companies, three years with GRE Insurance, and 10 years with Nationwide. His professional designations include Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI), and he is a member of the Toledo Insurance Association. Glesser enjoys bicycling and traveling.

Don Spickler, Retired, Regional VP - State Auto - Received Top Speaker Award for being identified as a top speaker within Speakers network program.
Spickler’s insurance careers includes 35 years in underwriting and sales management. He is a certified insurance counselor and is president of the Society of Handicapped Citizens, a member of the board of trustees for the Medina Rotary Club, and a trustee for the Medina County United Way. Spickler enjoys traveling and golfing.  

 “The Speakers Network program is an effective means to create better informed insurance consumers by offering the availability of insurance professionals to speak to groups on a variety of insurance topics,” said Peltier. “These volunteers donate personal and work hours to meet with students and consumers to help them better understand insurance. Individuals recognized in our Speakers Network awards program have gone above and beyond to assist insurance consumers in understanding insurance.”

Award recipients were honored at a reception and dinner that is a part of Ohio Insurance Institute’s Annual Meeting on September 10 in Akron, OH. Ohio Insurance Institute members from insurance companies representing Ohio were in attendance to help celebrate the achievement.

Learn more or make a nomination for 2020 Insurance Educator of the Year award here. Learn more about Speakers Network, apply to volunteer, or request a volunteer to your classroom or civic group here.