The Charles M. Cartwright Merit Award is considered the most prestigious award the IIA of IL presents. Named for Charles Cartwright, editor of the National Underwriter for more than 50 years, and champion of associations and the insurance industry, the award is presented at discretion of the IIA of IL Executive committee to the “Person who has performed the most meritorious service to the insurance industry in Illinois.” 

 

Since the award’s inception in 1944, there have been 19 years in which no Cartwright Award was presented. The tradition of the award dictates that it only be awarded when a truly deserving candidate is identified.

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1944 Herbert L. Regan, Joliet

1946 Lyle H. Gift, Peoria

1949 Walter M. Sheldon, Chicago

1951 Merle A. Read, Joliet

1952 Emil L. Lederer, Chicago

1953 Alvin S. Keys, Springfield

1954 Alan I. Wolff, Chicago

1955 Frank H. Hawk, Peoria

1956 Lyman M. Drake, Jr., Chicago

1957 H. W. Mullins, CPCU, Rockford

1958 W. H. “Red” Redeker, Centralia

1959 Joseph F. Prola, Springfield

1962 Frank R. Miley, CPCU, Chicago

1963 Robert L. Newell, CPCU, Ashland

1964 Harry C. Parrish, Paris

1965 N. McCullough Winters, Quincy

1966 James S. Woodworth, Jr., CPCU, Robinson

1968 Sanford H. Lederer, CPCU, Chicago

1969 Thomas K. Spraque, Jr., Joliet

1970 Robert L. Shade, Decatur

1971 George J. Nicoud, Springfield

1972 Robert B. Stitt, Palos Heights

1973 Calvin W. Schuneman, CPCU, Prophetstown

1974 Eugene F. Gallagher, Chicago

1975 Peter M. Wolff, Chicago

1976 Jack W. Gift, Peoria

1977 Warren Osenberg, DeKalb

1978 Jack Payan, CPCU, Palos Heights

1981 Jack E. Deveau, CPCU, Rockford

1982 Gerald L. Butts, CPCU, Moline

1983 William L. Laird, CPCU, Batavia

1985 L. Dwayne Query, Rochelle

1986 Richard B. Baker, CPCU, Chicago

1987 Arthur L. Tyler, Champaign

1988 James M. Hardesty, Peoria 

1989 Marvin Marsh, Champaign

1991 Roy E. Robinson, CPCU, CAE, Springfield

1993 Edward W. Bowman, Burr Ridge

1993 David H. Nixon, CIC, Peoria

1995 Don Blank, Olney

1997 Sharon Heaton, CIC, Pontiac

1998 Ronald M. Whitaker, CIC, New Lenox

1999 Dale W. McNeely, Taylorville

2001 John Alexander, CIC, Danville

2003 David Lacine, CPCU, Elmhurst

2005 Kenneth E. Wagler, LUTCF, Peoria

2006 Daniel Pancake, Chicago

2007 Gary Semmer, CIC, Glen Ellyn

2008 Dino Gavanes, CIC, Itasca

2010 Paul Verisario, CPIA, Des Plaines

2011 Gene Sberna, CIC, Lake Forest

2012 Julie Hearring, CIC, Olney

2013 Brian M. McSherry, CIC, Flanagan

2014 Chuck Schramm, CIC, Deerfield

2015 Dennis Garrett, CIC, Taylorville

2017 Cynthia K. Jackman, CIC, Carbondale

2018 Luke F. Praxmarer, CPCU, AAI, Elk Grove Village

2019 Kenneth M. Samson, CIC, Northbrook

2022 Rick Sutton, Petersburg
2023 Greg Sandrock, Tampico