Vermont Captive Insurance Association presents 2014 awards

BURLINGTON, Vt. — The Vermont Captive Insurance Association presented annual awards to several captive industry participants in recognition of their contributions to the industry and the association during the opening general session of this year's VCIA conference Wednesday in Burlington.

The VCIA's board presented this year's Industry Service Award to Michael Lusk, recently retired vice president of insurance and risk management at Decatur, Illinois-based Archer Daniels Midland Co. The VCIA board presents the Industry Service Award each year in recognition of service to the captive industry and contributions to the industry's overall vitality and welfare.

The association presented honorary lifetime memberships to Mr. Lusk and Kathryn Westover, Colchester, Vermont-based vice president of alternative risk financing services with Innovative Captive Strategies Inc., Des Moines, Iowa. The VCIA bestows lifetime honorary memberships to individuals who, through extended periods of outstanding service or achievement, have furthered the goals of the VCIA and strengthened the captive industry and the Vermont domicile.

Patricia Henderson, vice president and director of Burlington-based Strategic Risk Solutions Vermont Ltd., was recognized with the VCIA's annual Captive Crusader Award. The Captive Crusader honor is presented by the VCIA staff to recognize an individual's service and commitment to the organization “above and beyond the call of duty.”