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Study: WVU, WVU Health System account for 17 percent of state GDP
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A survey completed by a national consulting firm reveals the economic impact of West Virginia University and the WVU Health System equals about 17 percent of the state’s gross domestic product.
WVU President Michael Benson said the report from Tripp Umbach shows the total impact to the state economy is about $14.3 billion annually.
House and Senate gavel in, but keep it short because of icy, slick weather
Charleston, WV- The state Senate and House of Delegates convened very briefly today (January 26, 2026) after snow, ice, freezing conditions and power outages across the state chilled activity. The Senate’s floor session at 2 p.m. lasted less than a minute. “With the governor having declared a state of emergency in all 55 counties, I declare the absence of a quorum,” Senate President Randy Smith, R-Tucker, formally noted from the podium.
‘Significant’ storm knocks out power across WV; freezing temperatures to linger through the week
A winter storm blanketed West Virginia in snow and ice between Sunday evening and Monday, leaving thousands in the state without power as schools and businesses closed and road crews worked to keep streets as clear as possible.
Jeremy Michael, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston, said the “significant” storm — which was still ongoing Monday afternoon — brought “a wide range of impacts” across the state, from snow, freezing rain, ice and sleet.
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Big ‘I’ President & CEO to Continue on ACORD Board
Charles Symington, Big “I” president & CEO, extends his service on the ACORD board of directors for 2026.
ACORD, the global standards-setting body for the insurance industry, announced its 2026 board today. Consisting of 18 members, including seven new directors, the board will be chaired by Robert Kelly, founder, managing director and CEO, Steadfast Group Limited; with Kevin Tobin, outside director, ACORD, serving as vice chair.
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Save the Dates!
February 26-27
Young Agents Winter Retreat
Corduroy Inn & Lodge
May 5, 2026
Big "I" WV Board Meeting
July 23-24, 2026
Big "I" Women's Retreat
Charleston, WV
August 6-7, 2026
Big "I" Young Agents Summer Retreat
Adventures on the Gorge
October 14-16, 2026
Annual Convention
Stonewall Resort
December 9, 2026
Big "I" WV Board Meeting
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2026 Legislative Day at the Capitol
Big “I” WV Day at the Capitol featured a full schedule of education, advocacy, and networking, including in-person CE courses, a Board of Directors meeting, a legislative reception, and a legislative breakfast with state lawmakers. Members also had the opportunity to engage directly with legislators and celebrate Big “I” WV Agent of the Year Tony Deal, who was recognized on the Senate floor. The event strengthened relationships across the industry and amplified the voice of independent agents in West Virginia.
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Insurance Consumers Divided Over AI Use, Want Agent Involvement
Insurance consumers value the speed and convenience of modern digital tools but have mixed feelings about their insurance agents’ use of artificial intelligence (AI)—meaning that transparency, trust and agent involvement are key to customer service in 2026, according to a new survey from Vertafore.
InsurPac Closes the Books on Historic Fundraising Year
InsurPac, the Big “I” political action committee (PAC), raised $1,303,715.93 during the 2025 calendar year, its second-highest fundraising year in its history. A total of 3,053 donors invested an average of $427 per person.
Last year, 422 “major donors” gave $1,000 or more, 93 of those stepped up with investments of more than $2,500, and 38 invested the maximum amount of $5,000.
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Meet 7 Best Practices Agencies
Best Practices agencies continue excellent organic growth and profitability, according to the 2025 Best Practices Study by the Big “I” and Reagan Consulting.
The Best Practices Study is the first of a new three-year cycle, examining the firms that have newly qualified as 2025 Best Practices agencies. The annual study, conducted jointly in a longstanding partnership between the Big “I” and Reagan Consulting for the past 32 years, provides critical performance benchmarks across agency revenue categories ranging from under $1.25 million to over $100 million.
5 Predictions for the Insurance Industry in 2026
The insurance industry’s old sense of steady certainty has slipped away. PwC’s “Insurance 2030” notes that “the stability that insurers have long relied on for predictable risk pricing and consistent growth is disappearing.”
The firm points to a rapid sequence of shocks—a pandemic, political unrest, supply-chain failures, global conflict, high inflation and extreme weather—observing that “only 20 years ago, most of these events would have seemed unlikely” and that experiencing them all within less than half a decade was “unthinkable.”
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Declaration of Independents:
Will Canterbury
Owner
The South Insurance Agency
Nolensville, Tennessee
Will Canterbury is an entrepreneur in the truest sense. When he was 17 years old, he started a lawn care business that took care of some notable clients. After attending college, he worked for two political offices while trying to make it in the music industry in Nashville.
When neither path proved to be the right one, he reinvented himself again, taking jobs in wholesale furniture and copier sales. Eventually, bringing together all his experiences, he took the advice that his uncle—an executive at Allstate—had given him back when he was 19: Try a career in insurance.
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Tools For Success With Will Canterbury
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we meet Will Canterbury, owner of The South Insurance Agency in Nolensville, Tennessee.
At 17, Canterbury launched his own lawn care business serving notable clients. After college, he worked in political offices while pursuing music in Nashville. When those paths didn’t fit, he pivoted to roles in wholesale furniture and copier sales—experiences that ultimately led him to follow long-standing advice from his uncle, an Allstate executive, and build a career in insurance.
“My goal is to build a regional brand synonymous with insurance,” Canterbury says. “I want a licensed agent in every state within our logo’s border, aiming for significant market share in the Southeast.”
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BIG I WV LEADERSHIP
Chris Parker, President
Ferrell & Hill Insurance Agency
Tony Deal, Vice President
Insurance Centers
Brady Campbell, Treasurer
Mountain State Insurance Agency
Suzette Raines Ashley , Immediate Past President
Ashley Insurance Group, LLC
Terri Dodrill, State National Director
McGriff Insurance Services
Dean Cornell, Young Agents Chair
Blue Ridge Risk Partners
Traci Nelson, Chief Executive Officer
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DIRECTORS
Michael Winter
Bray & Oakley Insurance Agency
Beth Bailey
Bill Bailey Insurance Agency
Mike Cvechko
Cvechko Insurance Services
Charlie Robinson
Assured Partners dba Insurance Systems
Nick Dyer
Blueridge Risk Partners
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A Letter From Our President
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Dear Members,
Big I West Virginia is dedicated to supporting independent agents and strengthening the independent agency system across our state through advocacy, education, and strong industry partnerships.
This past year, we achieved important legislative success with the passage of a bill to lower the cost and expand the availability of liquor liability insurance, helping West Virginia businesses obtain needed coverage while improving the overall insurance marketplace. We also partnered with BridgeValley Community and Technical College to bring back in-person pre-licensing classes, creating new pathways for individuals to enter the insurance profession here in West Virginia.
We are grateful for the support of our carrier partners and volunteer leaders, and we encourage members to consider our supporters when making business decisions that impact their agencies. Most importantly, Big I West Virginia is strongest when our members are involved. I encourage you to attend events, serve on committees, and take part in the many programs the association offers.
It is an honor to serve as your president, and I look forward to working together to continue strengthening independent agencies across West Virginia.
Chris Parker, CIC
President, Big I West Virginia
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