PIA Wisconsin Announces Award Winners at Engage 2022
The Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin’s (PIAW) Engage 2022 convention was held October 12th & 13th at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, WI. The event hosted hundreds of agents and insurance representatives from across the state, where several statewide award recipients were announced and presented.
Mike Endres of Endres Insurance Agency was awarded the Ron Von Haden Agent of the Year Award. The award is given to an agent who exhibits extraordinary dedication to the insurance industry, independent agents, and the PIAW, like the award’s namesake.
“In the time that Mike has been involved with PIA, he has made an extreme impact,” said Executive Director Pete Hanson. “He is dedicated to helping the agent community, and he puts his heart into all he does. We are extremely lucky to be welcoming him into our elected leadership.”
Mike is PIAW’s newly elected Secretary and served as chair of the Clay Shoot Committee. He is the Agency President and owner of Endres Insurance Agency in Cross Plains, WI and specializes in farm/agricultural, fire department/EMS and commercial business insurance. Outside of insurance, he loves spending time with his wife Kelly and two sons, Wesley and Bentley. He has a great passion for the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing.
Julie Ulset, CPIA of Grams Insurance Agency was awarded the Stony Steinbach Achievement Award. This award is given to a PIAW member who puts forth the energy, efficiency, and enthusiasm of the award’s namesake, who led PIA for 40 years.
Julie recently served as president from 2020-2021, served on the Board of Directors for the past six years, and notably led PIAW during its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Board of Directors has been extremely lucky to have been led by someone with the insurance knowledge and dedication that Julie has,” said Immediate Past President Ryan Butzke CIC, CISR. “Her passion and enthusiasm for PIA rightfully earned her the honor of this award from her peers on the Board.”
Darren Dunn, CIC, AIC of Selective Insurance Company of America was awarded the Company Representative of the Year Award. This award is given to a company representative that shows outstanding dedication to the insurance industry and support for PIAW.
Darren is a Senior Personal Lines Marketing Specialist for Selective Insurance and has broad experience in the insurance industry, having worked in claims, underwriting, management, and sales. His work with PIAW is extensive, having served on committees that organize the PIA Scholarship Golf Outing and Clay Shoot.
Congratulations to all of the award winners on their outstanding accomplishments and for their dedication to helping the PIAW and their fellow members keep the independent agency channel strong.