ROBERT W. ELLIOTT, JR.

          2000 Member

          Michigan Insurance Hall of Fame

Bob Elliott, Jr. has helped pave the way to becoming one of Michigan's pioneer insurance families.  Since 1934, the Elliott family has been involved in the insurance agency business and the family business has grown steadily ever since.  In 1962, Bob Elliott, Jr. purchased the family agency from his father.  It was during those early years that Bob learned the importance of long-term customer-agent relationships.

Bob Elliott's involvement with the independent insurance agents' association began in the late 1970's.  He played a vital role while chairing the Independent Insurance Agents of Michigan's Company-Agency Relations Committee.  Bob helped facilitate a forum between companies and agents to address issues of concern on the part of all parties.  Under his leadership as chairman, Bob paved the way for the formation of the only Michigan domestic agent-owned insurance company, Great Lakes.  Partnered with Iroquois Group, a new wave of insurance company recruiting occurred, which would otherwise not have taken place.

Bob's career reached a pinnacle when he was named president of the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents in 1996.  As president, Bob worked successfully to ensure continued agent accessibility to the Accident Fund Company, following its privatization.  He was later honored with the Forsetlund Agent of the year Award in 1998.  This is an award given by the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents to the agent who has demonstrated a lifetime of industry support and achievement.

Aside from being a highly successful insurance agent for nearly four decades, Bob Elliott's commitment to his community has been equally impressive in terms of the time and energy he has devoted to his work in volunteer and community service.  For 15 years, Bob Elliott served as president of the Iosco County Intermediate School District, and eight years as president of the Tawas School Board of Education.  He also served as president of the Tawas St. Joseph Hospital Board for 12 years.  Bob Elliott also demonstrated a commitment to civic and local government service.  He served as president of the Iosco County Board of Commissioners and later as Tawas City Mayor.

After more than 40 years in the insurance business, Bob Elliott still remains highly active in overseeing the Tawas Bay Agency in East Tawas.  Bob also has made the agency a family operation with his three sons now serving as licensed agents.