LassiterWare Chairman Receives FAIA’s Highest 2016 Honor
Ted R. Ostrander, Jr., AAI, CIC was awarded The Mitchell Stallings Memorial Award, the highest honor the Florida Association of Insurance Agents can bestow upon one of its members, at the 2016 FAIA Convention. This award recognizes the action or voluntary activities of an independent insurance agent, an academician, regulator, association official, or individual with involvement in property and casualty insurance field which have made a significant contribution to the property and casualty industry at the local, state, or national levels and which action was above and beyond the performance of others so involved.
The many reactions within the insurance industry for this year’s Mitchell’s Stalling winner is right on point; well-deserved. Ted Ostrander has faithfully and selflessly served the FAIA and IIABA, their members, the insurance industry, and his community throughout his entire career. His role with LassiterWare has been instrumental in establishing and preserving the organization’s reputation for uncompromising integrity, constant innovation, and superior client services.
Ted received his Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management and Insurance from the Florida State University College of Business, where he has remained actively involved in developing and growing the program. His most recent contribution created the Ostrander Family Florida Catastrophic Storm Risk Management Center Suite in Legacy Hall.
After joining his father, Ted Ostrander, Sr. at LassiterWare in 1973, Ted became President in 1987. Under his leadership, LassiterWare has grown to become one of the largest independent agencies in the country. An industry leader, Ted has served as a trusted advisor to many of the insurance industries foremost executives, investors, and associates, including being a part of the Advisory Board of Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, as well as chairman of the Board of Governors for CIC.
There’s not a doubt that community has played a big part in Ted’s career, including his stint as president of the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, and Finance chairman to the Lake District Central Florida Council. He has served as chairman of the Lake and Sumter Boys and Girls Clubs, and the Central Florida Healthcare Development Corp. He also served on the Leesburg Regional Medical Center Board for 12 years, including chairman from 1990 to 1992. Ted currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Central Florida District Council of the Boys Scouts of America.
Ted has served in many leadership roles at FAIA, including chairman in 1993. He served as president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Lake County and on numerous FAIA committees. He continues to remain an excellent role model for his family, friends, community and profession. “LassiterWare has been fortunate to have Ted as a leader for the past four decades. Ted has been a key mentor in my development professionally and personally and he is so very deserving of this prestigious honor. Ted is a wonderful human being and I have learned a great deal from him,” says Doug Childers, LassiterWare President/CEO.
The Mitchell Stallings Memorial Award is named for O. Mitchell Stallings, an association pioneer and an insurance immortal. Stallings served two terms as president of FAIA in 1938 and 1939. He was known among his fellow agents for this integrity and his tenacity on behalf of independent insurance agents. This award recognizes his lifetime of leadership, honor, and service to the industry.
