WASHINGTON, DC (September 8, 2023) – Today, the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance
Bureau (CIRB) named 20 industry professionals to its 2023-2024 Emerging Leaders
Program (ELP) class. This is the largest class of Emerging Leaders since the program’s
inception in 2015. The Emerging Leaders Program allows crop insurance and reinsurance
professionals to increase their knowledge of advocacy and communications and provides
networking experiences with industry leaders.
“Through in-depth educational sessions, networking opportunities, and time spent
advocating in Washington, D.C., the Emerging Leaders Program has proven to be
effective in preparing the next generation of leaders in the crop insurance industry. I, along
with the entire CIRB team, look forward to working with this new class in the year ahead,”
said Brian Young, CIRB chairman.
The 2023-2024 CIRB Emerging Leaders Program class includes:
Dustin Bourgois, American Farm Bureau Insurance Services
Mara Garris, American Farm Bureau Insurance Services
Carolyn Payne, AgriSompo North America
Jake Chamness, AgriSompo North America
Scott Barhorst, Aon
Marin Bozic, Bozic LLC
Brian Davis, COUNTRY Financial
John Grant, COUNTRY Financial
Kate Lewarne, Farmers Mutual Hail
Rafeeq Shaik, Farmers Mutual Hail
Trevor Robins, Farmers Mutual Hail
Zach Hyland, Farm Bureau Financial Services
Jon King, Gallagher Re
Andy Anderson, Guy Carpenter
Joe Voye, Hudson Crop
Steve Milholland, Hudson Crop
Geoff Childress, Rural Community Insurance Services
Matt Bledsoe, Rural Community Insurance Services
Sam Arocho, Rural Community Insurance Services
Weston Kimm, Watts and Associates
Officially kicking off this month, the Emerging Leaders Program offers the opportunity for
participants to join CIRB Executive Committee meetings, to receive media training, and to
learn strategies for effective advocacy for crop insurance.
Click here for more information about the program.
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About CIRB:
Founded in 1964 and headquartered on Capitol Hill, the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau
(CIRB) is proud to provide unparalleled advocacy, support, and membership services to the crop
insurance and reinsurance community. Today, CIRB members provide a vital component of the
farm safety net, writing policies in every state and providing billions of dollars in crop
protection. Learn more about us at www.cropinsurance.org. To learn more about CIRB’s work, or
to get involved, please contact CIRB staff.