W. Harold Petersen was recently presented with a special citation of recognition from the California State Legislature for more than 50 years of contributions as an advisor, highlighting the importance of disability insurance awareness. The citation was signed by Speaker of the California Assembly John Perez.
Petersen is considered one of the great advocates and educators for disability insurance; he has been in the insurance industry more than 65 years and has always focused on disability insurance. Starting at Mutual of Omaha, he has worked in all capacities within various insurance carriers (including president). However, he is most well-known during the past 30 years as founder and patriarch of Petersen International Underwriters, which specializes in unique, special risk and excess disability programs. Broker World is honored to have him as a regular contributor.
Another long-time friend to Broker World, Barbara Crowley, president and chief executive officer of Brokers Clearing House, Ltd., was named 2013 Woman Business Owner of the Year by The Business Record, a Des Moines, Iowa publication.
The Business Record’s Women of Influence award celebrates the work of women who have made a difference, either personally or professionally, in the lives of others. This year there were nine honorees.
Crowley joined her father, the late Bob Hoefer, in the insurance brokerage business in 1978. Today, 35 years later, she leads a team of 25 employees and her agency represents about 70 insurance carriers and markets life, long term care, disability and annuity products to insurance agencies, banks, investment advisors and to other organizations that sell them to the public.
As a second-generation industry leader, she has served on the board of the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies for four years. In November she will become chairperson of that organization—one that her father helped establish in the early 1980s. She is also a founding partner of LifeMark Partners, Inc., one of the largest marketing groups in the industry. Crowley is an avid supporter of “just about anything that the Des Moines Performing Arts promotes.”
Kudos, Barbara, from your friends at Broker World. [SAC]
