PIA National Names John Potthast 2021 Professional Agent of the Year
April 28, 2021WASHINGTON —John Potthast, Founder & President of Foundation Insurance Group in Falls Church, Virginia, has been named the 2021 Professional Agent of the Year by the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA).
“This award is PIA’s highest honor,” said PIA National Vice President/Treasurer Gerald F. Hemphill, chair of the awards task force. “John started his agency in 1994 as a ‘scratch agent’ for Erie Insurance. He started in the basement of his home and has since grown to be the largest Erie agent in Virginia, and the fifth largest in the company. The agency currently has a staff of 50 people.”
Foundation Insurance Group has also been named the three-time winner of Erie’s most prestigious award, the Quality Agent of the Year Award, for exemplary sales performance, profitability and commitment to client services, and it is considered extremely rare for an agency to be recognized more than once, let alone three times. The agency was also named to Insurance Business America (IBA) magazine’s Hot 100.
“I am truly grateful to the PIA for this special honor. This recognition would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of my entire staff, our customers and our carrier partners,” said Potthast. “Our affiliation with the PIA has made us a more professional and successful agency. I consider this award to be a highlight of my career and I am very grateful.”
Founded in 1931, PIA is 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.
John Potthast acceptance video
“This award is PIA’s highest honor,” said PIA National Vice President/Treasurer Gerald F. Hemphill, chair of the awards task force. “John started his agency in 1994 as a ‘scratch agent’ for Erie Insurance. He started in the basement of his home and has since grown to be the largest Erie agent in Virginia, and the fifth largest in the company. The agency currently has a staff of 50 people.”Foundation Insurance Group has also been named the three-time winner of Erie’s most prestigious award, the Quality Agent of the Year Award, for exemplary sales performance, profitability and commitment to client services, and it is considered extremely rare for an agency to be recognized more than once, let alone three times. The agency was also named to Insurance Business America (IBA) magazine’s Hot 100.
“I am truly grateful to the PIA for this special honor. This recognition would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of my entire staff, our customers and our carrier partners,” said Potthast. “Our affiliation with the PIA has made us a more professional and successful agency. I consider this award to be a highlight of my career and I am very grateful.”
Founded in 1931, PIA is 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.
John Potthast acceptance video