Washington, D.C.-   Today, the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) named 13 industry professionals to its 2019-2020 Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) class. In its 5th year, this will be the largest class to date, with participants selected from CIRB's membership. The program gives the opportunity for selected professionals to increase their knowledge of advocacy and communications while providing networking experiences with industry leaders.

"The development and growth of the ELP program is just one of the many ways CIRB is a leader for the industry in shaping crop insurance advocacy," said Zane Vaughn, CIRB Chairman. "I encourage all industry professionals to take advantage of this unique experience which provides a well-rounded curriculum."

The program, which officially kicks off in September, allows participants to experience multiple Executive Committee meetings, learn how to effectively advocate for the industry with "lobby 101" seminars in Washington, receive media training, and social media guidance. New to the curriculum this year is a reinsurance webinar for participants to learn more about the history and functions within the reinsurance industry.

The 2019-2020 CIRB Emerging Leaders Program class includes:

• Neely Phelps, American Farm Bureau Insurance Services, Inc
• Jay Mark, ARMtech Insurance Services
• Craig Conroy, COUNTRY Financial
• Matthew Miller, COUNTRY Financial
• David Stewart, Crop Risk Services
• Cade Stockberger, Crop Risk Services
• Zach Allsup, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa
• Chad Simon, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa
• Duane Hynes, Holborn
• Jaya Hahn, Hudson Crop Insurance, Inc
• Alexis Schroeder, Hudson Crop Insurance, Inc
• Mat Brueggeman, Rural Community Insurance Services
• Robert Rankin, Rural Community Insurance Services

  You can learn more about the program and the new class at:  cropinsurance.org/emerging-leaders-program/  Please contact Kerry Lynch with any questions about the program.

About CIRB:
Founded in 1964 and headquartered on Capitol Hill, the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) is proud to provide unparalleled advocacy, support, and membership services to the crop insurance and reinsurance community. Today, CIRB members provide a vital component of the farm safety net, writing policies in every state and providing billions of dollars in crop protection.  Learn more about us at www.cropinsurance.org. 

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