IIABSC 127th ANNUAL CONVENTION REPORT
(View photos on Google photo)
IIABSC's 2025 Board of Directors were installed at the 127th Annual Convention held Oct. 12-14 at the Westin Resort & Spa in Hilton Head, SC.
Robert "Robbie" Nalley of Creech Roddey Watson Insurance in Sumter was re-elected Chair of the Board by the general membership during the annual meeting. A. M. "Gus" Brabham, IV, CIC, of Brabham Griffin Insurance in Columbia was re-elected Chairman-Elect and Treasurer of the Board of Directors. Both are one-year terms.
Three new directors, Barbara A. "Barbie" Bradham, CISR, AIP, AIAM, of The Bradham Insurance Agency in Conway, SC, Gaillard "Gilly" Dotterer, Jr., CIC, of Dotterer Insurance in Summerville, SC, and John R. Spence, CIC, of Anderson Insurance Associates in Charleston, SC, were elected to three-year terms on the Board of Directors beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
Retiring directors Shane F. Lynn, CIC, AIC of Owens Ins Agency Inc/World Insurance Associates in Greer and William M. "Matt" Hamer, AAI, of Frank L Siau Agency Inc in Georgetown, SC, were recognized for their service and dedication to the association.
IIASC Foundation Trustees Chair Drew Theodore, CIC, delivered the oath of office.
Agent of the Year
William C. "Bill" Fuge, II, of Bluffton, SC, is the 2025 Agent of the Year
William C. "Bill" Fuge, II, of Kinghorn Insurance Agency LLC in Bluffton, 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.
Bill truly embodies the values of dedication, service, and community connection that define excellence in our industry. His deep roots in the Lowcountry have shaped not only his professional path but also his unwavering commitment to the people and businesses he serves.
A graduate of The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and Wofford College, where he was a four-year varsity soccer player, Bill brings a rare combination of academic achievement, athletic discipline, and professional expertise to his work.
Bill distinguishes himself through service and engagement. He is an active Insurance Advisor on the Hilton Head Area Home Builders Association Board, where his insight and support benefit both local businesses and homeowners. Within the industry, he is a passionate supporter of IIABSC and InsurPac, and he has shared his time and expertise through service on both the Annual Convention Committee and the Coastal Property Task Force.
Whether advising clients, mentoring colleagues, or volunteering in the community, Bill approaches every endeavor with integrity and purpose. His passion for helping others is matched by the genuine relationships he builds. Clients trust him not only for his knowledge, but for his honesty, accessibility, and personal investment in their wellbeing.
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 is the first South Carolinian 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 has been sponsored by AFCO Direct for the past 29 years.
Young Agent of the Year
Cait Collins, CBIA, of Greenville, SC, is the 2025 Young Agent of the Year
Cait Collins, CBIA, of TWIA Insurance Agency in Greenville, SC, has been named the 2025 IIABSC Young Agent of the Year
Cait has spent nearly a decade in the insurance industry and continues to look for ways to move our profession forward. Since joining the Young Agents Committee in 2019, she has served with dedication and currently holds the position of Co-Vice Chair. In September, Cait attended the IIABA Young Agents Leadership Conference in Nashville along with our other SC Young Agent leaders. Cait has played a key role in leading and raising funds for the annual Make-A-Wish Give Movement presented by the Young Agents Committee since 2020.
Recognizing that the Greenville area lacked a local IIAB chapter—while other regions like Charleston and Horry-Georgetown have seen great success—Cait took the initiative to begin organizing efforts to establish a new Upstate chapter.
Her commitment to community service extends beyond the industry as well. Cait is an active member of Meals on Wheels Young Professionals and regularly volunteers her time. Her passion for advocacy led her to promote Bridged Greenville, a nonprofit that provides education, resources and solutions to promote and advocate for the awareness and inclusion of people with disabilities in their communities.
In every area of her life, Cait exemplifies professionalism, leadership, and heart for service. She is truly a rising leader in our industry.
The Young Agent of the Year 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 has been sponsored by AFCO Direct for the past 29 years.
Industry Person of the Year
Phillip Wright of Smart Choice Agents is the 2025 IIABSC Industry Person of the Year
Phillip Wright of Smart Choice Agents was named the IIABSC Industry Person of the Year. The award recognizes industry representatives other than independent insurance agents who have contributed greatly to the insurance industry in South Carolina.
Phillip has dedicated more than two decades to strengthening the independent insurance network across South Carolina. As State Director for the SmartChoice Agents Program, Phillip has led with a vision rooted in partnership, innovation, and sustainable growth for local agencies. Phillip’s efforts have redefined how agents connect with carriers, simplifying processes, increasing profitability, and helping agencies across the state thrive in a competitive market.
Phillip also has a long-standing relationship with the Big I SC. He is staunch supporter of InsurPac, and Smart Choice has been a Top Giver to our Make-a-Wish Give Movement since we started the program. Phillip is a loyal friend to the Big I SC and strong advocate of the Association to his Smart Choice members.
Beyond the numbers, Phillip is known for his approachable leadership style and his commitment to empowering others. He has been instrumental in mentoring emerging agency owners, modernizing operations through technology, and building lasting relationships between carriers and independent agents.
Outstanding CSR of the Year
Tammie H. Blackwood, CIC, CISR Elite, AIAM, of Gaffney, SC
Tammie H. Blackwood, CIC, CISR Elite, AIAM, of Correll Insurance Group in Gaffney, SC, was recognized as the 2024 SC Outstanding CSR of the Year. The award recognizes those who demonstrate exceptional customer service on a daily basis.
Nominations are submitted to us early in the year, and 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.
All throughout the nominating materials it mentions her remarkable ability to connect with people and make them feed valued. Each of her colleagues says that she goes above and beyond to be sure that clients get the best service possible and that her dedication and attention to detail mean that nothing falls through the cracks, and her follow-through is second to none.
They say what truly sets her apart is her willingness to help others. Whether it’s mentoring a new team member, assisting a coworker, or finding creative ways to support carriers, she does it all with a positive attitude and genuine desire to make things better for everyone.
This commitment to excellence and willingness to help is exactly what customer service is all about.
Chairman Citation
IIABSC Past Chair and former National Director Ashley Brady, CIC, of First Charter Co. Inc. in Marion, SC, was recognized for his nearly 25 year of continuous service to IIABSC with a Citation from Board Chair Robbie Nalley.
InsurPac fundraiser & drawing details coming soon!