Jerry Couri, President and CEO of Couri Insurance Agency in Waukesha, WI was honored by West Bend Mutual Insurance Company as the recipient of the W.E. “Mike” Koehler Distinguished Agent of the Year Award. The award recognizes his professional excellence and years of service to his community.
Operating Couri Insurance Agency since 1977, Jerry Couri serves as a board member for the Wisconsin Independent Insurance Agents Association (Wisconsin Big I) and is the board liaison for the Government Affairs Committee. Jerry is also the past president of the IIA of Waukesha.
Jerry’s involvement in his community has earned him two keys to the City of Waukesha by two separate mayors. Jerry has served 20 years as commissioner on the Waukesha Water Utility committee. He has served on Waukesha’s Redevelopment Authority for 15+ years. Jerry has been the director of the Waukesha County Community Foundation, and is currently a member and a contributor. Jerry was the board chair for Safe and Sound, and belongs to BNI of Waukesha.
Jerry donates his time and resources to many non-profit and civic organizations, and many area organizations have benefitted from Jerry’s generosity. Some of the organizations that Jerry has sponsored include USS Milwaukee, Carl Zach Cycling Classic, Waukesha County Fair, Waukesha Catholic Auction, Catholic Memorial High School Auction, United Way of Waukesha County, Safe Babies Healthy Families of Waukesha, Women’s Center and the Hope Center of Waukesha, and many other local community events and teams.
Jerry enjoys spending time with his wife Judie, who is also Vice President of the agency, and their two sons and two daughters. He also enjoys spending time with his 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Jerry also loves to spend time boating and fishing in the summer. Jerry loves cars old and new.
Kevin Steiner, president and chief executive officer of West Bend, presented the company’s Agent of the Year Award to Couri. “I was fortunate to meet Jerry early in my career at West Bend. He always talked about consistently doing what’s right for our customers and behaving in a manner that develops trust and respect. Jerry is a role model for other independent agents because he always conducts himself as a true professional. His leadership as an independent agent and his outstanding community service make him the perfect Mike Koehler award recipient.”
Kelly Tighe, West Bend vice president – Sales, agreed. “We are very proud to honor Jerry Couri as our 2015 Mike Koehler Award winner. This is the highest honor West Bend can bestow on one of our agency partners, and Jerry is a worthy recipient. He’s represented our company for almost 40 years with the highest level of integrity and honesty, while giving back to his community in an unparalleled way. We are all very proud Jerry represents West Bend.”
In recognition of the award, West Bend donated $5,000 to the MACC Fund (Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer) in Jerry Couri’s name.
The W.E. “Mike” Koehler Award honors Mike Koehler, an independent insurance agent and volunteer who, throughout his life, tirelessly served the insurance industry, independent agents’ associations, and his community of Cedarburg, Wisconsin.
