HISTORY OF THE KANSAS ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE AGENTS
The Kansas Association of Insurance Agents was organized in Wichita in December 1920 by Edwin Nellis & Charles G . Blakely , Jr ., both of Topeka , J . Elmer Reese of Wichita , Rosse Case of Marion , Fred P . Gould of Arkansas City , and Will Thompson of Hutchinson .
“ The association was founded to develop better agents to better serve the interest of the citizens and industries of Kansas and to promote a better relationship between member agents and the insurance companies they represent . Due to the efforts of the pioneers , the dedicated officers and committee members , the quality of the member agents , the Kansas Association of Insurance Agents today is one of the great Associations that make up the membership of the National Association of Insurance Agents ” wrote Frank T . Priest of Wichita , one of the original Four Horsemen .
Founding Fathers
The first president of the association was J . Elmer Reese of Wichita , Reese & Company – Insurance , Real Estate & Loans . Reese was a founding father of the Association and was known as a former president of the Kansas Insurance Federation .
The vice president was R . P . Cravens of Salina , and secretary / treasurer was Charles G . Blakely , Jr . of Topeka . The Executive Committee consisted of seven other members : J . C . Kelley , Wichita , Albert Mebus , Kansas City , Will S . Thompson , Hutchinson , Fred Gould , Arkansas City , Carl W . Trapp , Topeka , Austin Stone , Wichita , and Earl R . Hutton , Wichita .
KAIA ' s Vision
To be the biggest champion for Kansas ' independent agents , progressively advocating to enhance , promote , and protect the value they bring in serving their customers in our communities .
KAIA ' s Mission
To promote the value of the independent agency system and that members bring to Kansas communities as the leading and most trusted resource for helping individual families and businesses with their insurance needs . Provide KAIA members with professional development tools and business resources to aid in their success while advocating to provide a favorable insurance marketplace and climate that allows them to serve their customers with integrity and high ethical standards .
8 Kansas Association of Insurance Agents