Markel to be Presenting Sponsor of the 2009 Winners Circle Award at the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) luncheon
By John Egan, Underwriting Manager

In February of this year my sister-in-law Adrienne Grizzell, who owns a non-profit organization called Management Inc., had advised me that she was approaching sponsors for the NAWBO luncheon at the end of April and that Deirdre Lyons of Alltech was receiving the 2009 Winner’s Circle Award.

Our office in Lexington has been established to help Markel develop and grow as a leading carrier for Thoroughbred mortality insurance, but Markel’s success over the years has revolved around mortality insurance for show, pleasure, and performance horses, so the 2010 World Equestrian Games (WEG) is a huge event for our organization.

As Alltech is the title sponsor of the 2010 WEG that is coming to this wonderful setting of Lexington, KY, and as Ms. Lyons and Alltech have been an instrumental part of this, sponsorship of the NAWBO event was a perfect fit for Markel Insurance Company.

From my years working on horse farms, at thoroughbred training facilities, and in equine insurance, it has become increasingly evident that women are playing a larger role in the equine industry than ever before. 

In our world of equine insurance, the majority of licensed agents are women and the number owning their own agencies is growing. I therefore thought it important that our company stand up and recognize the importance of women in the success of the equine insurance industry.

The NAWBO luncheon takes place on April 30th, 2009 at the Marriott Griffin Gate on Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY. Since February, Markel have agreed to become the presenting sponsor of this event and I would encourage people to learn more about NAWBO by going to their website - http://www.lexnawbo.org.