The annual convention of the Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin (PIAW) was held October 12th & 13th at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, WI. The refreshed event, titled “Engage 2022” hosted hundreds of agents and insurance representatives from across the state.
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 PIAW, he has made an extreme impact,” said PIAW 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 the newly elected Secretary of the PIAW and served as chair of PIAW’s 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.
The Stony Steinbach Achievement 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. The Stony Steinbach Achievement Award was awarded to:
• Julie Ulset, CPIA of Grams Insurance Agency in Edgerton, WI
Julie Ulset recently served as PIAW 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 PIAW Board of Directors has been extremely lucky to have been led by someone with the insurance knowledge and dedication that Julie has,” said PIAW’s Immediate Past President Ryan Butzke CIC, CISR. “Her passion and enthusiasm for PIAW rightfully earned her the honor of this award from her peers on the Board.”
The Company Representative of the Year Award is awarded to a company representative that shows outstanding dedication to the insurance industry and support for PIAW. The Company Representative of the Year Award was given to:
• Darren Dunn, CIC, AIC of West Salem, WI – Selective Insurance Company of America
Darren is 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 PIAW’s Scholarship Golf Outing and Clay Shoot events.
