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INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENTS OF LOUISIANA

LOUISIANAAGENT SUMMER 2026

FORMER BIG I LA CEO, JEFF ALBRIGHT, RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

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ROOTED IN LEADERSHIP: SYDNEY SCHWING-SMITH EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION PAGE 18

JOE KING MONTGOMERY

NEWLY ELECTED BIG I LOUISIANA CHAIRMAN

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BIG I LA STAFF Benjamin Albright Chief Executive Officer, President balbright@iiabl.com (225) 236-1357

Jamie Carmouche Director of Insurance Programs jcarmouche@iiabl.com (225) 236-1350

Karson Kyle Communications & Events Administrator kkyle@iiabl.com (225) 236-1351

Karen Kuylen Director of Accounting & Finance kkuylen@iiabl.com (225) 236-1353

Kathleen O'Regan Director of Communications & Events koregan@iiabl.com (225) 236-1360

Lyra Rutledge E&O Administrator eoteam@iiabl.com (225) 236-1352

LOUISIANAAGENT

TABLE OF

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LOUISIANAAGENT

CONTENTS FEATURED ARTICLES Big I Louisiana Elects Joe Montgomery as Chairman for 2026-2027

2026 Louisiana Insurance Legislative Report

Former Big I LA CEO, Jeff Albright, Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Big I Louisiana Annual Convention Recap

Rooted in Leadership: Sydney SchwingSmith Earns National Recognition

More Than a Conference: A Launchpad for the Next Generation of Agency Leaders

Advertiser Index

Upcoming Events

18153 E. Petroleum Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70809 Ph: (225) 819-8007 www.iiabl.com

BIG I LOUISIANA

ELECTS JOE MONTGOMERY

AS CHAIRMAN FOR 2026-2027

Big I Louisiana installed its 2026–2027 officers and board of directors during the association's Annual Convention, held June 14–17, 2026, at the Hilton Sandestin in Miramar Beach, Florida. Joe King Montgomery of Community Financial Insurance Center in Monroe was elected Chairman of the association. The newly installed officers are: Chairman: Joe King Montgomery, Community Financial Insurance (Monroe) Chair-Elect: Eugene Montgomery, Community Financial Insurance (Monroe) Secretary-Treasurer: Rob Eppers, Risk Services – Leavitt Insurance Agency (Alexandria) State National Director: Joey O’Connor, Assured Partners (New Orleans) Immediate Past Chairman: Ross Henry, Henry Insurance Agency (Baton Rouge) “These are exciting times for Big I Louisiana,” said Big I Louisiana President & CEO Ben Albright. “We thank Ross Henry for his dedicated leadership over the past year and look forward to Joe Montgomery taking the helm as Chairman. Joe's vision, enthusiasm, and commitment to the independent agency channel will help us chart the course for continued success on behalf of our members across Louisiana.” Montgomery is a Producer with Community Financial Insurance Center in Monroe and has been actively involved in Big I Louisiana for many years, serving in numerous leadership roles on the association's Board of Directors.

Chair-Elect Eugene Montgomery serves as President and CEO of Community Financial in Monroe. SecretaryTreasurer Rob Eppers is co-owner of Risk Services – Leavitt Insurance Agency in Alexandria. National Director Joey O'Connor of AssuredPartners in New Orleans brings extensive leadership experience and will represent Louisiana's independent agents at the national level.

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LOUISIANAAGENT

ELECTED Immediate Past Chairman Ross Henry is President and CEO of Henry Insurance Agency in Baton Rouge. During his tenure as Chairman, Henry provided steady leadership and helped advance the association's mission on behalf of independent insurance agents throughout Louisiana. New Board Members Elected for 2026–2028 In addition to the officers, nine new members were elected to the Big I Louisiana Board of Directors for a two-year term beginning July 1, 2026: 1. Matthew deBlanc, Continental Services (Marrero) 2. Robert Stone, Stone Insurance (Metairie) 3. Christy DeSoto, 1st Insurance Marksville (Marksville) 4. Craig Martel, Insurance Unlimited of Louisiana (Lake Charles) 5. Randy Perise, Blumberg and Associates (Ponchatoula) 6. Seth Ostendorff, Dethloff & Associates (Shreveport) 7. Brittany Hunter, Lewis Mohr Real Estate & Insurance Agency (Baton Rouge) 8. Maggie Landry, Perkins-McKenzie Insurance Agency (Baton Rouge) 9. Donnie Stiel, Stiel Insurance of Acadiana (Lafayette) Members of the Big I Louisiana Board of Directors that continue to serve the second year of their two-year term include: Lydia McMorris – Alliant Insurance Services (Baton Rouge), Robby Moss – Hartwig Moss Insurance Agency (New Orleans), Matt Graham – Forth Insurance (Ruston), Chris Haik – Higginbotham (Lafayette), Bobby Palmer – Insurance Underwriters (Metairie), Dominique DiCarlo Crouch – Riverlands Insurance (LaPlace), Beau Hearod – Jeff Davis Insurance Agency (Jennings), Jeff Zeagler – McClure, Bomar & Harris (Shreveport), Kara Garzotto – DJW Insurance Agency (New Iberia).

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LOUISIANAAGENT

ELECTED Sydney Schwing Smith, Schwing Insurance Agency (New Iberia) was appointed by Big I Louisiana Chairman Montgomery to serve as the Chair of the Young Agents Committee. The association also recognized three outgoing members of its Board of Directors who completed their service due to term limits: Bret Hughes of Hughes Insurance Services, Ann Bodkin-Smith of Thomason Smith & Leach Insurance, and Chuck LeBlanc of Higginbotham. Their years of dedicated leadership, service, and advocacy have left a lasting impact on both the association and the independent agency system in Louisiana. Looking ahead, Montgomery said he is focused on strengthening member engagement, developing future industry leaders, and ensuring independent agents remain the trusted choice for Louisiana consumers. The Big I Louisiana Board of Directors is composed of 18 elected board members, plus the officers and the immediate past chairman. Each year, nine board members are elected to serve staggered two-year terms to ensure continuity and representation across the state.

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2026 LOUISIANA INSURANCE

LEGISLATIVE REPORT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The 2026 Regular Session was quieter for insurance legislation in Louisiana, than the last 5 years since Hurricanes Laura, Delta, Zeta and Ida, but Big I LA was nonetheless hard at work on your behalf at the state capital. While relatively few major insurance bills ultimately became law, the session demonstrated that the insurance industry remains at the center of many of Louisiana's most important public policy debates. Legal system abuse reform continues to be a major discussion topic, however policymakers largely avoided the subject this session. Leadership, both the governor and legislative leadership, gave early signals that there would be no movement on tort issues this session and held true to that philosophy. Most bills never got a hearing, and the ones that did were met with cries of “let’s wait and see how the reforms we’ve already done play out”. From IIABL's perspective, the session was defined as much by the bad legislation that did not pass as by the measures that became law. Throughout the session, IIABL worked closely with legislators, the department, and coalition partners to improve legislation where possible and to oppose proposals that would have imposed unnecessary burdens on independent agents and insurers. Looking ahead, many of this session's unresolved issues are expected to return. Legal system abuse reform will remain a top priority. Additional workers' compensation modernization is likely. Policymakers are also expected to examine Louisiana's premium tax structure, the growing role of artificial intelligence in insurance, and Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM)/pharmaceutical pricing reforms affecting health insurance. IIABL will continue working proactively to ensure that future legislation protects consumers while preserving a stable, competitive insurance market and the important role independent agents play within it.

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LEGISLATIVEREPORT

LOUISIANAAGENT

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5 BILLS AGENTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT 1.HB 903 (Illg) – Administrative Fines by the Commissioner (Effective May 22, 2026, as Amended) HB 903 strengthened the Commissioner's authority to assess fines and penalties for violations of the Insurance Code. The original version completely removed the cap, giving the commissioner unlimited authority to assess fines. IIABL and others worked with LDI to reach a compromise which significantly raised the maximum fine amount without the risk of unlimited fines. 2.SB 241 (Hodges) – Adjuster License Numbers on Written Communications (Effective August 1, 2026, as Amended) SB 241 requires adjusters to include their Louisiana license number on written communications with policyholders. During the legislative process, The bill was amended to include agents in this requirement, as well, but IIABL was able to get agents removed. 3.HB 825 (Braud) – Stated Value Policies (Effective 5/22/2026) This bill revises last year’s Stated Valued Homeowner’s Policy Act. Last year’s bill had some deeply concerning language including unclear definitions and new potential causes for action. IIABL was heavily involved in passing this year’s law to protect agents from lawsuits, E&O exposures, and other risks on these policies. The bill, while important, is largely cleanup language, so there aren’t material changes that should significantly affect the insurance market.

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LOUISIANAAGENT

LEGISLATIVEREPORT 4.HB 826 (Green) – Referrals for the Sale of Insurance (Effective 8/1/2026) HB 826 revises Louisiana law governing referrals associated with the sale of insurance products. There are 2 significant changes included in the bill. First, it modernized some language allowing for referrals by email and web traffic, as the original statute only referenced direct contact and phone. Secondly, it allows the payment of a referral fee to be conditioned on completion of an application by the customer. Under previous law, agents running a referral program were legally required to pay a referral fee for every lead that was sent to them, regardless of whether the customer provided enough information to successfully underwrite the policy, etc. The new law allows the agent to only pay for referrals where the customer provides sufficient information to provide a quote. Importantly, it is still illegal to condition referral fees on purchase of insurance, which could be construed as a commission to an unlicensed person. 5.HB 941 (Hebert) – Marcel Exception and Additional Insured Coverage (Effective 8/1/2026) HB 941 addresses Louisiana's longstanding Marcel exception involving contractual indemnity agreements and additional insured coverage in the oil and gas space. This legal doctrine causes significant aggravation for agents and insureds on both the contractor and operator side of the relationship, and this bill is designed to minimize those frustrations while working within the established framework of the Marcel exception. Parties seeking Marcel coverage are required to provide a written request to the named insured or their agent. At renewal, the agent for the named insured is required to provide notice to all parties who have Marcel coverage on the existing policy within seven days of binding renewal coverage, allowing the opportunity to maintain their Marcel coverage. The additional insured(s) are now responsible for the deductible up to 100k, in the event of a claim. If you want a more comprehensive review of all the bills that will affect agents, please refer to our comprehensive legislative summary here.

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FORMER BIG I LA CEO, JEFF ALBRIGHT

RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Big I Louisiana is proud to celebrate a remarkable milestone for one of our own. Former President & CEO Jeff Albright has been honored with the prestigious Jeff Yates Lifetime Achievement Award by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big "I"). Named in honor of former Big "I" CEO Jeff Yates, this award is the highest national recognition a non-agent can receive for a lifetime of service to the independent agency system. It recognizes individuals whose leadership, dedication, and lasting contributions have strengthened the independent agency channel and advanced the insurance profession. For more than 30 years as President & CEO of Big I Louisiana, Jeff Albright served as a steadfast advocate for independent insurance agents across our state. Throughout his distinguished career, he helped shape significant legislative and regulatory reforms, strengthened the association, and worked tirelessly to protect and advance the interests of Louisiana's independent agents. His leadership extended well beyond Louisiana, earning the respect of colleagues and industry leaders across the country. Jeff's unwavering commitment to the independent agency system has left an enduring legacy that continues to benefit our members today. His passion for advocacy, education, and association leadership has inspired countless insurance professionals and helped position Big I Louisiana as a respected voice within the national Big "I" community. This well-deserved honor recognizes not only Jeff's decades of service, but also the lasting impact he has made on our association, our members, and the independent insurance industry. Please join us in congratulating Jeff Albright on receiving this extraordinary national honor. We thank him for his years of dedicated leadership and congratulate him on this well-earned recognition! To learn more about the Jeff Yates Lifetime Achievement Award and this year's honorees, visit the Big "I" Awards & Recognition page: Big "I" Awards & Recognition.

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This national recognition comes at an exciting time, as Sydney has also been appointed by 2026–2027 Big I Louisiana Chairman Joe Montgomery to serve as Chair of the Big I Louisiana Young Agents Committee. Her passion for the independent agency channel, commitment to serving clients, and dedication to developing future industry leaders make her an outstanding choice to help lead the next generation of Louisiana agents. As a fourth-generation member of Schwing Insurance Agency, Sydney credits her family's legacy as the foundation of her career. Reflecting on the Independent Agent feature, she shared:

ROOTED IN LEADERSHIP: SYDNEY SCHWING-SMITH EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION Big I Louisiana is proud to recognize Sydney Schwing-Smith of Schwing Insurance Agency in New Iberia for being named one of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America's "10 Young Agents to Watch" in the June issue of Independent Agent magazine. Sydney was also featured on the magazine's cover, highlighting her as one of the nation's emerging leaders in the independent agency system.

"The tagline, 'Rooted in Risk,' couldn't be more fitting. As a fourth-generation member of our family agency, I've had the privilege of growing up surrounded by the values that have guided Schwing Insurance Agency for 91 years: honesty, loyalty, and a commitment to serving our clients and community. I'm incredibly proud to continue that legacy while helping lead our agency into its next chapter." Sydney also expressed her appreciation to those who have supported her journey, thanking her family, mentors, colleagues, clients, and Independent Agent magazine for the opportunity to share her story. Big I Louisiana congratulates Sydney on this well-deserved national honor and looks forward to her leadership as Chair of the Young Agents Committee. We are proud to have her representing Louisiana's independent insurance community on the national stage. To read Sydney's full feature in Independent Agent magazine, visit: Rooted in Risk: Meet 10 Young Agents.

MORE THAN A CONFERENCE A LAUNCHPAD FOR THE NEXT

GENERATION OF AGENCY LEADERS BIG I LA & IIAM YOUNG AGENTS CONFERENCE

Leadership doesn't happen by accident. It happens when you surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking, sharpen your skills, and inspire you to see what's possible. That's exactly what you'll find at the 2026 Big I LA & IIAM Young Agents Conference! Designed for emerging leaders and insurance professionals ready to grow their careers, this year's conference blends nationally recognized speakers, hands-on learning, industry insight, and unforgettable experiences into one weekend you won't want to miss. It Starts with One of the Most Sought-After Speakers in the Industry If you attended either the Big I Louisiana or Big I Mississippi Annual Convention this year, you probably remember Eric Bailey. His keynote was one of the highest-rated sessions at both conferences, leaving attendees talking long after they headed home. We're bringing Eric back but not to repeat what you've already heard! He's creating an experience designed specifically for Young Agents. His opening keynote, The Cure for Stupidity, explores why people make irrational decisions and how understanding the brain can transform the way you communicate with clients, coworkers, prospects, and even family members. Then, later that afternoon, Eric returns for an exclusive follow-up workshop, “Selling Without Being ‘Salesy.’” Building on the concepts from his keynote, he'll show you how brain science can help you build trust, strengthen relationships, and influence others without relying on outdated sales tactics. Whether you're producing new business, leading a team, or simply trying to communicate more effectively, you'll walk away with practical strategies you can start using immediately. Learn What Every Future Agency Leader Should Know Great agents don't just understand insurance, they understand the forces shaping the industry. That's why we've brought together Ben Albright and Clinton Graham for an engaging comparison of Louisiana and Mississippi's legislative processes. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how laws affecting independent agents are made, why advocacy matters, and how your voice can make a difference. Next, join Julie Shiyou-Woodard, President & CEO of Smart Home America, as she explores one of the fastest-growing topics in property insurance: FORTIFIED construction. As both Louisiana and Mississippi continue investing in resilient homes and homeowner incentive programs, there's never been a better time to understand how these initiatives impact your clients, your agency, and the future of our industry.

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YOUNGAGENTS Then... We Leave the Classroom Behind. Saturday isn't about PowerPoint presentations. It's about putting your skills to work! During “Risk on Tap: The Brewery Loss Control Challenge,” you'll team up with fellow attendees and head to The Flying Llama Brewery for an interactive commercial risk assessment unlike anything we've ever offered. Working alongside a loss control professional, your team will inspect a real operating brewery, identify hazards, evaluate exposures, and decide whether you'd insure the account. Along the way you'll compete against other teams, solve real-world insurance scenarios, and discover how underwriters evaluate commercial risks. And yes... after the challenge is complete, you'll enjoy a brewery tasting while celebrating the winning team. Learning has never been this much fun! Relationships That Last Long After the Conference Ends Of course, the best part of the Young Agents Conference isn't just what happens in the classroom. It's the conversations over coffee. The ideas shared during receptions. The friendships built while throwing axes, solving challenges, and exploring Biloxi together. These are the relationships that become future business partners, mentors, referral sources, and industry leaders. Whether you're new to the industry or preparing to take on greater leadership within your agency, this conference is designed to equip you with the knowledge, confidence, and connections to take that next step. Join us August 27-29 at the Beau Rivage and invest in your future. Registration is now open. We can't wait to see you in Biloxi!

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LOUISIANAAGENT

ADVERTISER INDEX COMPANY AF Group AmWINS Access Insurance Services, LLC Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Ins Cos Burns & Wilcox, Ltd. CRC Group Gulf States Insurance Homebuilders SIF Imperial PFS

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COMPANY Ironpeak LA Workers Compensation Corporation Lane & Associates, Inc. LCI Workers' Comp LUBA Workers' Comp Progressive RLI Stonetrust Insurance Wright Flood

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LOUISIANAAGENT

UPCOMINGEVENTS Event

Registration

Date & Time

Location

Baton Rouge Post Legislative Luncheon

August 12 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Juban’s Restaurant & Bar

Online Registration

IIAGNO Post Legislative Luncheon

August 13 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Southern Yacht Club

Online Registration

IIABL & IIAM Young Agents Conference

August 27-29

Beau Rivage

Online Registration

Lafayette Post Legislative Luncheon

September 3 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Ruffino’s on the River

Online Registration

Shreveport Post Legislative Luncheon

September 8 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

The Shreveport Club

Online Registration

Monroe Post Legislative Luncheon

September 9 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Bayou Desiard

Online Registration

2026

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

PLATINUM LEVEL PARTNER

GOLD LEVEL PARTNERS

SILVER LEVEL PARTNERS

BRONZE LEVEL PARTNERS Accentus Insurance Group AF Group Allied Trust Insurance Co. AmTrust North America FCCI Insurance Group Gulf States Insurance Company

Lane & Associates, Inc. Liberty Mutual National General an Allstate company QuoteWell Summit Consulting, Inc Wright Flood Updated 7/14/26

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LOUISIANAAGENT

BIG I LOUISIANA 2026-2027

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS CHAIRMAN, JOE KING MONTGOMERY Community Financial Insurance Center, LLC - Monroe CHAIRMAN-ELECT, EUGENE MONTGOMERY Community Financial Insurance Center, LLC - Monroe SECRETARY-TREASURER, ROB EPPERS Risk Services of Louisiana - Alexandria NATIONAL DIRECTOR, JOEY O’CONNOR Assured Partners - Metairie PAST CHAIRMAN, ROSS HENRY Henry Insurance Services, Inc - Baton Rouge YOUNG AGENT REP, SYDNEY SCHWING-SMITH Schwing Insurance Agency - New Iberia IASC REP, DAVID DETHLOFF Dethloff & Associates, Inc. - Shreveport MATTHEW DEBLANC Continental Insurance Services - Marrero CHRISTY DESOTO 1st Insurance of Marksville - Marksville DOMINIQUE DICARLO CROUCH Riverlands Insurance Agency - LaPlace KARA GARZOTTO DJW Insurance Agency - New Iberia MATT GRAHAM Lincoln Agency - Ruston BEAU HEAROD Jeff Davis Insurance - Jennings BRITTANY MOHR HUNTER Lewis Mohr Real Estate & Insurance Agency - Baton Rouge MAGGIE LANDRY Perkins-McKenzie Insurance Agency - Baton Rouge CRAIG MARTEL Insurance Unlimited of LA, LLC - Lake Charles LYDIA MCMORRIS Alliant Insurance Services - Baton Rouge HARTWIG "ROBBY" MOSS, IV Hartwig Moss Insurance - New Orleans SETH OSTENDORFF Dethloff & Associates - Shreveport ROBERT LOUIS PALMER, JR. Insurance Underwriters, Ltd. - Metairie RANDY PERISE Blumberg and Associates - Ponchatoula DONNIE STIEL Stiel Insurance Services of Acadiana - Lafayette ROBERT STONE Stone Insurance, Inc. - Metairie JEFF ZEAGLER McClure, Bomar & Harris - Shreveport