PIA National Names Matthew T. Simon 2013 Young Insurance Professional of the Year

News provided by

National Association of Professional Insurance Agents

Apr 18, 2013, 04:17 ET

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Matthew T. Simon, CPCU, vice president of Hill & Hamilton Insurance & Financial Services of Bellefontaine, Ohio, has been named the 2013 PIA National Young Insurance Professional of the Year. The prestigious award was presented April 12, 2013 by the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) during a gala awards luncheon in Arlington, Virginia, and was sponsored by the Rough Notes Company, Inc.

"Matt Simon clearly represents the vanguard of what successful, professional independent insurance agents must be, as we move further into the 21^st century," said PIA National President-elect Johnny Lee, in presenting the award. "He understands the need to address the expectations of long-term clients of an agency as well as how younger Generation X and Y clients prefer to transact business."

The PIA National Young Insurance Professional of the Year Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a young insurance professional. Simon was honored for his many activities in support of professional insurance agents and his efforts to attract more young people into the insurance industry.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to be recognized as the Young Agent of the Year, but it's really a reflection of the people I work with," said Matt Simon. "If I wasn't surrounded by the talented, experienced and hard-working associates that I'm blessed to work with, I certainly wouldn't have been in a position to win this award."

Simon added that he is totally committed to being a Professional Insurance Agent. "I believe as professional insurance agents, it's not just our job but, more importantly, our responsibility to educate our clients on the importance of their insurance protection."

"As consumers are increasingly bombarded with advertising that encourages them to base their insurance buying decisions solely on the price of the coverage, I feel even more obligated to advise my clients on exactly what they're purchasing," he added. "At the end of the day, if you don't have the coverage you need for a devastating claim, it doesn't really matter what you paid."

The PIA National Young Insurance Professional of the Year Award was sponsored by Rough Notes magazine for the eighth year in a row. "Encouraging young people to consider a career as a professional insurance agent must be a top priority for all of us," Lee said. "We are particularly pleased to partner with the Rough Notes Company in this important effort."

Founded in 1931, PIA is a national trade association that represents member insurance agents and their employees who sell and service all kinds of insurance, but specialize in coverage of automobiles, homes and businesses. PIA members are Local Agents Serving Main Street America (SM). PIA's web address is www.pianet.com.

This press release online at: http://www.pianet.com/news/press-releases/2013/simon2013yipoftheyear041813

Photo: http://www.robcannonphoto.com/photos/pia/2013-fls/images/IMG_671.jpg

Photo cutline: PIA National President-elect Johnny Lee (left), Matthew T. Simon

SOURCE National Association of Professional Insurance Agents