Nebraska Agents, United for Insurance
Since its founding in 1907, IIAN has served as the collective voice for independent insurance agents and agencies across Nebraska — and under Ann Ames’ leadership, that voice has never been stronger. The association represents more than 500 independent agencies, spanning rural Sandhills communities to growing city centers, and supports over 2,500 insurance professionals providing coverage in property, casualty, life, health, and more.
Ann Ames brings a track record that suits the job perfectly. Before becoming CEO in mid-2022, she held roles including Vice President of government affairs for a telecom company, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Lancaster County, and Executive Director of a community foundation. She holds a Master of Public Administration and, in 2024, earned the highly respected Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential — underscoring her commitment to association leadership and professional excellence.
Under her guidance, IIAN remains true to its mission: helping members succeed through education, advocacy, and community. That might sound like broad strokes, but in practice it means giving independent agents tools and support they rarely get working solo — from continuing-education webinars to risk-management resources, from licensing support to peer networking, and from vendor partnerships to representation in regulatory discussions.
2024 and 2025 have been especially active years under Ames. IIAN has expanded its member-facing programming, including “Free CE Days,” virtual education sessions, new training modules for new agencies, and a push to engage younger agents through its “NextGen” initiative. The association has also strengthened its advocacy role — ensuring the concerns of independent agencies are heard in Lincoln and beyond, especially around issues like regulation, licensing, and market-access that often challenge smaller or rural agencies.
“I am honored to lead Big ‘I’ Nebraska and committed to building on the member services our board and staff have provided,” Ames said as she stepped into the role — a declaration that’s already shaping the association’s path forward.
For Nebraska’s independent insurance agents — whether in a one-office rural town or a multi-branch urban agency — IIAN under Ann Ames is more than a trade group. It’s a community, a resource hub, and a shield against uncertainty. In a shifting insurance landscape, that kind of support isn’t optional. It’s essential.