Shank appointed chair of national InVEST board

Former FAIA Board Member and INVEST Task Force Chair Lindsey Shank was recently appointed the new chair of the national INVEST board of directors. The occasion marks the first time an INVEST graduate has been appointed chair of the national board. She previously served on the INVEST board in 2012-2015 as an agent member and returned for another term in 2016.

Shank is vice president and regional agency operations manager for McGriff Insurance Services, Inc., a subsidiary of BB&T Insurance Holdings. She participated in the INVEST program during her junior and senior years at St. Petersburg Catholic High School, and joined the staff of Iler Wall & Shonter, now McGriff Insurance Services Inc., a week after her high school graduation. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of South Florida.

“As an INVEST student back in 1999, I would have never imagined my path would have led to a successful career in insurance, as well as the opportunity to serve as an INVEST board member and now INVEST board chair," says Shank, who also served on the Florida Association of Insurance Agents board of directors in 2014-2017. “Having been selected as INVEST board chair is an incredible honor. I am excited to move the organization in its new strategic direction and to bring new talent into the independent agency force."

Today, Shank serves as a volunteer teacher for the INVEST program at Northeast High School in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she helps mentor students on insurance education, business and life skills. She previously served as the Florida state INVEST committee chair and received INVEST's National Volunteer of the Year award in 2005 and 2010.

In her new role as chair, Shank replaces Cindy Hower, who “made tremendous contributions during her tenure as chair of our board," says Deborah Pickford, INVEST executive director. “Lindsey brings enthusiasm and a unique personal experience to the INVEST board of directors. We look forward to continuing to work with her and harness her energy to grow the INVEST program."​