PIA Texas names Patricia “Pat” Rutherford 2012 Customer Service Representative of the Year

WACO, Texas — The Texas Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA Texas) has named Patricia “Pat” Rutherford, ACSR and CPIA, its 2012 Customer Service Representative of the Year. Rutherford accepted the award from President-elect Carl Shockey at the PIA Texas convention awards presentation and reception on May 17 in Waco. Rutherford works for the Beathard Insurance Agency of Conroe.

The Customer Service Representative (CSR) of the Year Award is given annually to an outstanding agency customer service representative who works for a PIA member insurance agency in Texas. The award recognizes a CSR who has improved operations of the agency, served their clients in an extraordinary way and engaged in community involvement and activities to advance the betterment of the insurance industry.

Pat began her insurance career just after finishing high school, at Travelers Insurance Company in Houston. She married her husband Ray and lived in Saudi Arabia for ten years before moving back to Texas and starting an Emu ranch. After a while, she decided to get back into the insurance business. She has worked in the Beathard Agency of Conroe for the past 17 years.

“During her career, Pat has witnessed market changes, natural catastrophes and many other events requiring prompt responses from agents and companies,” said agency owner Jimmy C. Beathard. “Through it all, Pat has been a source of strength and a consummate professional who is dedicated to providing the best service to all of our customers. We offer our heartfelt congratulations to Pat on being chosen by the Professional Insurance Agents of Texas for this well-deserved honor.”

With 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, Rutherford holds a dual ACSR designation for personal and commercial lines from the Society of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters (CPCU). Active in the Montgomery County Fair Association for many years, Pat’s hobbies include interior decorating and building custom furniture in her own woodworking shop.

Headquartered in Austin, the Texas PIA is an affiliate of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA), 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. The Texas Association of Professional Insurance Agents web address is www.piatx.org. PIA’s national web address is www.pianet.com.