2026 OUTSTANDING CSR of the Year STATE WINNERS Announced

MEDIA RELEASE For release on receipt AUSTIN, TX (September 2026) Each year, a group of exceptional insurance professionals are selected to represent their states and then can compete to become the National Outstanding CSR of the Year. This prestigious award, regarded as the foremost national award of its kind, recognizes the contributions and commitment of those who serve clients within the insurance industry. To be eligible for the top state honor, the 2026 candidates submitted an essay on the following topic: Reflect on what you love about this industry, what first drew you to it, what continues to inspire you, and why the work matters to you. Consider your professional journey, including key moments, challenges, or milestones that have shaped your growth, the skills and values you are most proud of developing, and how these experiences have influenced the way you show up in your role. As part of this reflection, look ahead by sharing how your passions and experiences continue to motivate you, the impact you hope to make moving forward, and how you see yourself contributing to the continued success and evolution of this industry. Additionally, entrants must have demonstrated commendable service to their agencies, their industry, and their community. 2026 Outstanding CSR of The Year State Winners Alabama Ava Lee Blevins Higginbotham Insurance Agency Arizona Joely Jones, CISR Elite Experian Insurance Service dba Gabi Personal Insurance Arkansas Brittany Hutton McGhee Insurance Agency Connecticut Emma MacSweeney, CISR C.V. Mason Insurance Agency Delaware Josselyn Raquel Lopez-Jimenez, CISR The Insurance Market Georgia Katharine Peterson Neuhaus, CISR Elite Legacy Risk Solutions Idaho Hailey Camille Ballard, PCIA, QPIS, QCLS Hub International Mountain States, Ltd. Illinois Emma Gonzalez Pachis & Associates, Inc. dba Pachis & Associates Indiana Michelle Benefiel, CISR, CSRM, CAWC Beatty Insurance, Inc. Kentucky Jane Kinsella, ACSR Higginbotham Insurance Agency Louisiana Stacy Tourres, CISR, AIS, AINS TSL Insurance Group Maine Andre R. Tranchemontagne, CISR Cross Insurance Maryland Melissa J. Hall Gerety Insurance Minnesota Lisa Moulzolf, CISR, AIS, AINS Primary Source Insurance dba Weizenegger Engel Insurance Mississippi Stephanie Smith, CISR Higginbotham Insurance Agency Missouri Melissa Wallace, CISR, PCIA Ollis Akers Arney Nebraska Jessica Millar Jones Group Nevada Kenya Barisone-Agostino, CISR AssuredPartners of Nevada, LLC / Gallagher & Company New York Angela Juarbes Eli Cohen Agency North Carolina Maria Guadalupe Davis, CMIP Marsh McLennan Agency Ohio Selena Stagnolia, CISR, CPRM Knight Insurance Group Pennsylvania Caitlyn Altimus, CISR Evergreen Insurance South Carolina Amy S. Watkins Upchurch & Jowers Insurance Agency, Inc. Tennessee Lynette Berger, CISR McIntire Insurance dba Insurance Incorporated Texas Madeline Gonzales, CIC, CISR Higginbotham Insurance Agency Virginia Allison Murphy Commonwealth Insurance Center Wisconsin Megan Belter, CIC, CISR M3 Insurance Solutions, Inc. Wyoming Alyssa McCluskey, CISR, PCIA, QPIS Hub International Risk & Insurance Education Alliance is the nation’s premier provider of educational opportunities for insurance and risk management professionals. Contact: Danielle Janecka Chief Experience Officer 512-349-6181; djanecka@riskeducation.org