Margarita Tapia
(800) 221-7917
L-26-17
www.independentagent.com
Stamford Agent Receives National Recognition
IIABA chairman honors Ralph Murray for his dedication to industry.
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 23, 2017 - Spencer Houldin, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of
America (IIABA or the Big “I”) chairman, recently honored J. Ralph Murray of Stamford, Connecticut, for his
long-standing commitment to the independent insurance agency community.
“Ralph Murray is the epitome of a Trusted Choice© independent agent,” said Houldin who issued the
recognition at the association briefing prior to the annual lobbying day on Capitol Hill. “In addition to his
numerous leadership roles in Connecticut, he has attended all 30 Big ‘I’ Legislative Conferences and,
although he is in his early 80s and is the primary caregiver to his wonderful wife, he takes the train every
year from Stamford, Connecticut, to Washington, D.C., to come tell his story.”
Houldin is president of Ericson Insurance Advisors headquartered in Washington Depot, Connecticut.
“The Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut (IIACT) are so proud to have our former president,
Ralph Murray, honored before our peers from across the country at the IIABA’s largest annual gathering,”
said Warren Ruppar, IIACT president. “For more than five decades, Ralph Murray’s dedication to the
independent agent community, our state and our country has served as an example to us all. He’s a tireless
advocate for our industry with a huge heart.”
Murray served as IIACT president from 1999 to 2000. He’s also served on numerous association
committees. Murray’s career in the insurance industry spans more than 50 years. His career in the
insurance industry started at Travelers in 1967. In 1970, Murray and two business partners founded
Insurance & Financial Services in Stamford.
In addition to his service to the independent agency system, Murray has served on Stamford’s Planning
and Zoning Board as a member and secretary. He was also elected to Stamford’s Board of Finance for 8
years including four as its chairman. During Murray’s term as chairman, the City of Stamford earned its first
triple AAA bond rating. He and his wife Elaine also serve as youth advisors in their church.
Prior to his insurance career, Murray worked for the American Cyanamid Company in Stamford. He earned
his bachelor’s degree from Morgan State College in Baltimore, Maryland, after serving in the U.S. military
during the Korean War. Murray and his wife Elaine have been married for more than 60 years. They have
three grown children and eight grandchildren.
The Big “I” Legislative Conference is the insurance industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative
meeting.
Founded in 1896, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) is
the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers,
representing a network of approximately a quarter of a million agents, brokers and their employees
nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance
companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life, health,
employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.