128th Annual Convention Report

(Google Photo album coming soon)

IIABSC’s 2026 Board of Directors were installed at the 128th Annual Convention held Oct. 18-20 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Greenville, SC.

Angus M. “Gus” Brabham, IV, CIC, of Brabham Griffin Insurance in Columbia was elected Chair of the Board by the general membership during the annual meeting. Alexander “Zander” Galloway, CIC, CRA, CWCA, ACRA of Peoples First Insurance in Rock Hill, SC, was elected Chairman-Elect and Treasurer of the Board of Directors. Both are one-year terms. John R. Spence, CIC, of Anderson Insurance Associates in Charleston, SC, was elected Board Secretary, a two-year term. Scott Moseley of Irmo Insurance Agency in Irmo, SC, was elected National Director, a three-year term.

Robert “Robbie” Nalley of Creech Roddey Watson Insurance in Sumter moves to the position of Immediate Past Chair.

Three new directors, Caitlin D. (Cait) Collins, CBIA, of the TWIA Insurance Agency in Greenville, SC, Philip R. Merry, Jr., AAI, of Hutson-Etherredge Companies in Aiken, SC, and Kassie Williams, CIC, CISR, of Correll Ins Group of Hilton Head in Hilton Head Island, SC, were elected to three-year terms on the Board of Directors. Jennifer S. Hincapie, CIC, CRM, CBIA, of Countybanc Insurance in Greenville, SC, was elected to finish the remaining two years of John Spence’s Board term.

IIABA Chair-Elect Bryan Clinkscales delivered the oath of office during the awards banquet.

Bret Carter, PAHM of The Carter Insurance Group in Lexington, SC, and Andrew D. Deese, CIC, of Upchurch & Jowers Insurance Agency Inc in Camden, SC, were recognized for their service and dedication to the association as Board members. Jay Taylor, CIC, of Kinghorn Insurance Agency of Beaufort was also recognized for his service as National Director.

Jon A. Jensen Legacy Award

Ashley Brady, CIC, of Marion, SC, receives Jon A. Jensen Legacy Award

Ashley Brady, CIC, of First Charter Insurance in Marion, SC, was given the Jon A Jensen Legacy Award. This award honors agent members of the SC Big I who exemplify the same level of excellence, leadership, and dedication that Jon has shown throughout his remarkable career. It marks individuals who consistently go above and beyond, shatters expectations, inspires others and pushes the boundaries of what’s possible.

A legacy isn’t measured by titles or awards, but by the lives we touch and the difference we make. Ashley’s leadership journey began with our Young Agents, serving four years as Chair and earning Young Agent of the Year honors in 2003. He went on to serve five years on our Board, eight years on our Executive Committee, and two years as Chairman. He then served five years as South Carolina’s National Director to IIABA, including two years chairing its Government Affairs Committee. That amounts to twenty consecutive years of leadership.

In 2016, he was named Agent of the Year, but he wasn’t present to receive it because he stayed home to help his clients and community devastated by Hurricane Matthew. He served more than a decade on our InsurPac Committee, earning national recognition for his work with InsurPac from the IIABA when he was awarded the Barney Burns Award. He was also awarded the prestigious Sydney O. Smith Award from the IIABA for his contributions to government affairs.

His commitment to service extends beyond insurance. Elected mayor of Marion, SC in 2017, he is now serving his third term, continuing to lead and serve his community.

Agent of the Year

Debra S. Carter, LUTCF of Lexington, SC, is the 2026 Agent of the Year

Debra S. Carter, LUTCF of The Carter Insurance Group in Lexington, SC was named the Hayne P. Glover, Jr. Agent of the Year in recognition for outstanding community service and contributing to the betterment of the insurance industry.

At its very best, ours is a people business, built on relationships, trust and heart. This year’s recipient exemplifies all three. Ten years ago, she established her own independent agency, building a respected business grounded in personalized service, integrity and strong client relationships. Throughout her career, she has mentored young professionals, encouraged continuing education and embraced innovation, all while remaining a dedicated advocate for her clients.

But what makes her story especially meaningful is her commitment to giving back and serving others. Her agency partners with Cancer of Many Colors, a Lexington County organization providing financial assistance to families facing cancer. She is a cancer survivor, now in long-term remission, who has turned one of life’s most difficult experiences into an opportunity to help others.

The Agent of the Year is named for Hayne P. Glover, Jr. to honor his many years of dedicated service to the Big “I” state and national associations. Glover was from Greenville and the first from South Carolina to serve as the national association president. Glover was an outstanding example of service to his community as well as the industry, which are the criteria used to evaluate nominees for this award. The award is sponsored by US Premium Finance.

Young Agent of the Year

Kelly Wenzel, of Sumter, SC, is the 2026 Young Agent of the Year

Kelly Wenzel, of Creech Roddey Watson Insurance Agency in Sumter, SC, has been named the 2026 IIABSC Young Agent of the Year. This award recognizes those who represents the future of our profession through leadership, service and commitment.

Success isn’t just about how far you go. It’s about how many people you help along the way. Kelly is described by her colleagues as an incredible resource, knowledgeable about agency operations, systems and best practices. But what makes her special is her willingness to share that knowledge, develop resources and help others succeed.

She has also been a dedicated leader in Big I South Carolina’s Young Agents program, serving as a committee member, Co-Vice Chair and Chair, helping plan and coordinate Young Agent events across our state. Even while balancing a demanding career and raising three boys, she continues to give generously of her time to our Association and her community, including the Young Professionals of the Sumter Chamber

The Young Agent of the Year award is given to an independent insurance agent age 40 or younger for outstanding service to his or her community outside the field of insurance and has contributed to the betterment of the industry. The award is sponsored by US Premium Finance.

Industry Person of the Year

G. Frank Sheppard is the 2026 IIABSC Industry Person of the Year

G. Frank Sheppard, former IIABSC President and current consultant with the SC Department of Insurance, is the 2026 IIABSC Industry Person of the Year. This award recognizes industry leaders other than independent insurance agents who have contributed greatly to the insurance industry in South Carolina.

Frank genuinely cares about this industry and people in general. He’s a man of integrity, whose word you can trust and whose friendship you can count on. He is a leader who encourages people to grow, challenges them to think creatively, and celebrates their successes.

Frank dedicated 32 years to Big I South Carolina. Throughout his tenure, he helped strengthen our association while keeping the needs of our members at the heart of everything he did. His leadership extended outside of South Carolina to the IIABA where he served on numerous Boards and Committees. In 2025, he received IIABA’s prestigious Jeff Yates Lifetime Achievement Award – the highest award given by our national association to a non-agent.

While in retirement he continues giving back as a consultant and mentor at the South Carolina Department of Insurance.

SC Outstanding CSR of the Year

Amy Watkins, of Camden, SC

Amy Watkins of Upchurch & Jowers Insurance Agency Inc in Camden, SC, was recognized as the 2026 SC Outstanding CSR of the Year. This award recognizes those who demonstrate exceptional customer service on a daily basis.

Nominations are submitted to us early in the year, an nominees are then asked to submit materials to show their commitment to the industry through education, involvement and peer recommendations in addition to writing an essay in response to a relevant issue for our industry.

Her essay spoke on trust, protection, problem solving, humility, constant learning, and giving back. It also involves a willingness to have difficult conversations.

“It is easy to provide excellent service when the answer is yes,” she says. “The real test comes when the answer is no, the premium increased, the carrier changed its underwriting requirements, or the option a client wants is not the option I believe best protects them. My clients may not always like the answer, but they appreciate knowing that I will tell them the truth, explain their options, and do everything I reasonably can to help.”

This commitment to integrity and willingness to help is exactly what customer service is all about. 

Chair Citation

IIABSC Past Chair and outgoing National Director Jay Taylor, CIC, of Kinghorn Insurance Agency of Beaufort in Beaufort, SC,  was recognized for 17 years of continuous service to IIABSC with a Citation from Board Chair Robbie Nalley. 

Convention Committee

JSA WEBCAST ARCHIVES

• Closing Session – Young Agents & Angela Ford, Catalyit
• Closing Session – Alan Wilson, Jermaine Johnson & Michael Wise
• Awards Banquet
• General Session – App State, Big I Retirement, Trusted Choice & Keynote Brandon Gibson
• Business Session & Industry, Legislative Updates
• Interviews W/ Gus Brabham, Lee Ellis, Scott Moseley, Cait Collins, Hilary Haines, & Savannah Taylor

VIEW WEBCAST ARCHIVES