the rural American agents . Jay served in the United States Navy from 1951-1954 . He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1958 with a BME degree and from Kansas State University in 1965 with a master ’ s degree . Jay was a singer with the Bern Quartet and director of the Choir for United Methodist Church . He was a member of the Shriners and the Elks Club . He was a lifetime member of the Education Society of University of Kansas Alumni and lifetime member of Phi Delta Kappa Honorary Education Society .
• James W . Fee - Jim was president of the association in 1975 . He also served as state national director for six years , from 1978 through 1983 . Jim joined his father and brother in the Frank Fee Agency after graduating from the University of Kansas and served two years as an officer in the Navy . That began the expansion of the business which was later named the Fontron-Fee Agency , Jim was president . The agency started in business in 1945 but was rooted to insurance industry in Hutchinson as far back as 1883 . They celebrated their 100-year anniversary 1983 and the name of the agency changed to the Fee Agency . He was a member of the University of Kansas Alumni association , was commissioned in the U . S . Navy , and served as radio officer aboard the USS Albany . In 1965 , Jim was chairman of the KAIIA Disaster Committee . In March , he sent out a very comprehensive and complete disaster planning kit to all members . Jim received the Outstanding Agent Award in 1982 and the Distinguished Service Award in 1984 . In 1987 , Jim was asked to chair the fundraising committee to solicit donations for the new association office building . Jim passed away on August 9 , 2003 .
• Robert ( Bob ) T . Fee – Bob president of the association in 2008 . Thirty-three years earlier , Bob ’ s father , Jim was president of the association . His father told him , he would get more out of his involvement with the Big “ I ”, at both the state and national levels , than he would ever put into it . Bob said he was thrilled to continue working for many of the same goals and ideals his father worked for , for so many years . Bob was a graduate of the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and the USF & G School of Insurance . He joined his family business in 1987 , the agency has roots dating back to 1883 . Bob was president and chief operating officer of the Fee Insurance Group , Inc . in Hutchinson . In 2009 , Bob was chosen by the national association to serve as the national Chairman of the Trusted Choice Committee . He then served on the Big “ I ” Government Affairs Committee , at the same time representing the state association . Bob received the 2012 KIA / 1752 Club Agent of Merit Award . In 2015 he was elected to be part of the top-level leadership team for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America . Bob was elected in 2019 by the national association , Chair-Elect for FY 2019-2020 . KAIA and IIABA planned for Bob ’ s installation as chairman in September 2020 at the national Conference in Kansas City . The conference was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic . This would also be the 100-year celebration of KAIA . Bob was very active in community activities including Hutchinson Regional Medical Center Foundation Board , Delos Smith Foundation Board , Carey Foundation Board , Baker Memorial Trust Board , First Presbyterian Church Elder , New Beginnings Board Member and NJCCA national Basketball Tournament assistant director . Bob has served as board chairman for such organizations as the Chamber of Commerce , United Way , Red Cross , YMCA , and Hutchinson Town Club .
• Joan Finney – Joan was the first woman to be elected Governor of Kansas in 1991 and served until 1995 . Joan attended many of the IIAK events as a special guest . Prior to being Governor , she was on staff of U . S . Senator Frank Carlson for many years . From 1972-1986 she served as the state treasurer , she was also the first woman to hold that position . Joan died in 2001 .
• Charles K . Foote – Charles was one of the original Four Horsemen . They received national recognition for promoting membership at the national , state , and local associations . Charles was an organizer of the state association . He was president of the association for two terms , in 1930 and 1931 . He was also the secretary / treasurer from 1926 to 1929 . Charles entered the insurance business after World War I , as a partner in his father in laws firm , C . W . Bitting until 1945 , when he joined the firm of Beezley and Outland ,
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