Hawkins Named National Outstanding CSR of the Year

Sharnel K. Hawkins, of Bratrud Middleton Insurance Inc., in Tacoma, Wash., has just been awarded the 2006 National Outstanding CSR of the Year Award.

The Society of Certified Insurance Service Representatives (CISR) and the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) selected Hawkins as the winner of this award from a field of 34 state winners. After five finalists were chosen from this field, a blue-ribbon panel of five judges evaluated the finalists based on their individual contributions to the insurance community, and the strength of their essays written on the topic, “Three Great Ways for a CSR to Build Good Relationships with Company Underwriters.”

Sharnel Hawkins is the account manager in the Construction Unit of Bratrud Middleton.

“She was praised by her associates as someone set apart from others by her technical knowledge coupled with her customer focus,” said Dr. William T. Hold, president of The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research. “With her ‘get-it-done’ attitude and ability to handle key commercial clients, she is a role model for CSRs everywhere.”

In her essay, Hawkins cited “knowledge of the carrier’s philosophy and underwriting guidelines; complete submissions to make their job easier; and treating underwriters with the same level of professionalism and customer-service based values as insured clients,” as the most important relationship-building factors.

Hawkins receives a cash award of $1,000, a distinctive gold and diamond lapel pin, and her name is inscribed on a sculpture on permanent display at The National Alliance headquarters in Austin, Texas. A scholarship will be awarded to her employer, Bratrud Middleton Insurance, Inc., for participation in any National Alliance program.

In addition to the selection of Hawkins as the national award recipient, four national finalists were chosen:

* Lisa Folta, RJF Agencies, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.

* Tracey L. Hall, Karn Sitkins Payette Insurance Agency Inc., Wyandotte, Mich.

* Karen A. Jergenson, Howalt-McDowell Insurance Inc., Sioux Falls, S.D.

* Kimberly S. Shows, Fox Everett, Jackson, Miss.

They each receive a special gold and garnet lapel pin, and publicity in a national trade journal.

Source: The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research