Agents of Choice — Celebrating Over a Century of Independent Strength

At the turn of the 20th century, life looked very different. There were no highways, no airplanes, no phones in our pockets—just determination and hard work driving local business. In 1899, a small group of West Virginia insurance agents recognized the power of coming together to protect their profession and serve their communities.

On September 5, 1899, twenty-two agents met in Wheeling to form the West Virginia Association of Local Fire Insurance Agents, the state’s first organized insurance trade association. Led by W.S. Foose of Wheeling, these pioneers sought to elevate professional standards, ensure fair business practices, and advocate for local agents across the Mountain State.

As West Virginia’s economy grew through coal, manufacturing, and small business, so did the association. Agencies from Charleston, Parkersburg, Huntington, Clarksburg, and beyond became pillars of their communities—many of them still family-owned generations later. By the 1920s, West Virginia agents were already influencing the national industry, with leaders like Frank R. Bell Sr. and R.P. DeVan serving as presidents of the Independent Insurance Agents of America.

Through the Depression, World War II, and post-war recovery, West Virginia’s independent agents remained resilient. In the 1950s and 60s, the association expanded rapidly under Executive Secretary Tom McHenry, whose three decades of leadership helped build one of the most respected agent organizations in the nation. Annual conventions at The Greenbrier became signature events, reflecting both the professionalism and camaraderie that define independent agents.

By the 1970s, the group officially became the Independent Insurance Agents of West Virginia (IIAWV) and launched the Young Agents Committee, fostering a new generation of leaders who continue to guide the association today. Around the same time, the Independent Insurance Agents Junior Golf Classic began—now one of the largest open youth tournaments in the world.

In 1992, West Virginia made national headlines again by merging its two major agent associations—the Independent Insurance Agents of America and the Professional Insurance Agents—to form the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of West Virginia (PIIAWV). It was only the second state in the nation to unite both groups, setting an example of collaboration that others would soon follow.

Throughout its history, Big “I” WV has reflected the very best of the state’s business community: independent, community-minded, and family-driven. Many member agencies now span three, four, or even five generations. And the industry’s growth has also opened doors for women, from Mary K. McCormick, one of the first female agency owners in 1971, to the many women who lead and own agencies across West Virginia today.

Technology has transformed how agencies operate—from handwritten policies and carbon copies to fully digital, cloud-based systems. Yet the mission remains the same: to serve clients with integrity, professionalism, and care.

As Big “I” West Virginia moves confidently into its next century, it continues to be a trusted advocate, resource, and community for independent agents statewide. The tools may have changed, but the values endure—relationships, service, and independence.

Here’s to more than a century of excellence—and to the next hundred years of Big “I” West Virginia.