front and center
Larry Dietz of WaKeeney
earns Agent of the Year Award
K
AIA presented its
annual Insurance
Industry Awards
Oct. 8 during the
association’s Leadership &
Development Conference in
Wichita. Five industry leaders
were recognized for their
community involvement,
professionalism and promotion of
the independent agency system.
graduating from Fort Hays State
University and teaching social
studies, Dietz was recruited to the
insurance industry in 1968. He
worked 10 years for a bank agency
in WaKeeney and Goodland before
joining with a partner to launch
their own insurance agency, TWI &
Dietz. In 1991, Dietz purchased the
agency and became sole owner.
Larry Dietz, owner of TWI &
Dietz, Inc. in WaKeeney, was
named Agent of the Year. It is
the highest honor bestowed by
KAIA upon an independent
agent. Dietz has been a licensed
agent for nearly 48 years. After
Dietz has been active in both
the community and within the
industry, including having served
on the AScK board of directors,
WaKeeney Planning Commission
and as president of the WaKeeney
Chamber of Commerce.
Outgoing KAIA President SueAnn Schultz (left) and incoming
President Dusty Davis (second from left) present Larry Dietz, owner
of TWI & Dietz, with the 2015 Agent of the Year Award. Dietz was
nominated for the award by Cristi Werth (second from right) who is
vice president of the agency. Dietz has been an agent since 1968.
2015 Award Recipients
COOPER CHAPIN
Outstanding Young Agent
JIM RUNNEBAUM
Distinguished Service
JEFF TAYLOR
Company Rep of the Year
CINDY HOWER
KIA/1752 Agent of Merit
Cooper Chapin, a commercial
accounts producer with
Stephens-Chapin Insurance
in Lawrence, was named
Outstanding Young Agent of
the Year. The award honors an
agent, under the age of 40, who
has demonstrated exceptional
leadership on behalf of the
industry. Chapin earned his
CIC designation and he has
been an active member of
KAIA’s Young Agents, events
and golf committees.
Jim Runnebaum, owner of SBS
Insurance in Sabetha, earned
the Distinguished Service
Award. This honor recognizes
a member who has gone above
and beyond in their service to
the association. In addition to
serving on the KAIA board,
Runnebaum played a pivotal
role in bringing the Big “I”
National Championship to
Kansas, securing fund