WASHINGTON, DC, Oct. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (The Council) is pleased to announce that Eric O. Leavitt, Executive Chairman and CEO of Leavitt Group (Cedar City, Utah), will serve as 2026/2027 Chair of the association's Board of Directors. Leavitt was elected Chair of the Board during The Council's 113th annual Insurance Leadership Forum last week in Colorado Springs. He succeeds John Howard, Vice Chairman of CRC Group.
Leavitt will lead a team of Board Officers including newly elected Vice Chair J. Powell Brown of Brown & Brown (Daytona Beach, FL); Treasurer Mike Victorson of M3 Insurance (Madison, WI); and Secretary Jacqueline Roth of IMA Financial Group (Denver, CO).
View the full list of incoming Board members →
"As a Board Director and Officer, I've had the privilege of collaborating with the most respected leaders in brokerage firms around the world and leveraging their knowledge to help guide The Council's long-term strategy," said Leavitt. "Serving as Board Chair is another opportunity for me to support our member firms by helping The Council evolve and respond to market shifts, with its deep history and commitment to this industry as guiding principles."
Founded in 1952, Leavitt Group operates more than 80 agencies and 290+ locations across 30+ states through a distinctive local co-ownership model. The firm ranks 15th among the largest privately held independent brokerages in the U.S. and first among the largest family-owned brokerages. Under Eric Leavitt's leadership, Leavitt Group has expanded its national footprint while preserving its focus on investment in people, collaboration, and long-term relationships. Earlier this year, Eric Leavitt was recognized for 35 years of service with The Leavitt Group. He has also been named a "CEO of the Year Honoree" by Utah Business Magazine.
"Eric's thoughtful approach to leadership and his perspective on The Council's role within our industry have been invaluable to our Board and our association," said Joel Wood, President/CEO of The Council. "I want to thank John Howard for his guidance and dedication over the past year. Our team is looking forward to 2027 and building on the success we've seen for both The Council and The Council Foundation."
The Council Foundation Board will also welcome newly elected directors and officers, effective Jan. 1, 2027. John Tallarida of Heffernan Group (Oakland, CA) will succeed Rob Cohen of IMA Financial Group as Foundation Board Chair. Nancy Mellard of CBIZ (Kansas City, MO) was elected Vice Chair, and Kate Armfield of The Baldwin Group (Leesburg, VA) was elected Treasurer. Joel Wood will continue to serve as Secretary of the Foundation Board.
View the full list of incoming Foundation Board members →
For more information on The Council's Board of Directors, visit our website.
About The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers
Founded in 1913 and based in Washington, D.C., The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers is the premier association for the top 150 commercial property & casualty insurance and employee benefits intermediaries worldwide. Council members are market leaders who annually place 90 percent of U.S. commercial P&C premiums and 70 percent of all employee benefits business. The Council’s Government Affairs team represents our member firms with a strong, unified voice on Capitol Hill and within the regulatory space. CouncilPAC, The Council’s political action committee, consistently maintains its position as the leading PAC in the insurance industry. In addition to providing best-in-class professional development resources and publishing Leader's Edge, an award-winning industry content platform, The Council hosts four annual leadership forums: Insurance Leadership Forum (ILF) and [www.ciab.com/meetings/leadership-forums/eblf/]Employee Benefits Leadership Forum (EBLF), gathering leading brokers, carriers, and strategic partners in the commercial P&C and EB sectors respectively; the Operations Leadership Forum (OLF), offering leadership development opportunities for C-suite brokerage executives; and the Legislative Summit, connecting Council members with key legislators on broader issues impacting our industry.
Nicole Vasile The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers 8608391589 nicole.vasile@ciab.com