Four top graduates of the Associate in Surplus Lines Insurance (ASLI) program were recognized in 2001 by the Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation and the Insurance Institute of America (IIA).

The top four 2001 - 2002 ASLI graduates were Paul T. Malley, ARe, ASLI, assistant vice president, Aon Re Worldwide; Gary D. Harshbarger, CPCU, ASLI, vice president, Gunn Mowery Insurance Group; Patricia Frye Laughton, CPCU, AU, AAI, AMIM, AIS, API, ASLI, education coordinator, BB&T Insurance Services, Inc.; and Joanne R. McKeever, AU, ASLI , marketing account manager, Hatch Leonard Naples.

Originally the Foundation planned to recognize the forty 2001 -2002 ASLI graduates at the NAPSLO Annual Convention in San Antonio.

Malley, the Distinguished Graduate, will receive $500 and a commemorative plaque. Harshbarger, Laughton, and McKeever received Awards for Academic Excellence, which include a cash award of $250 and a commemorative plaque.

The IIA, the Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation and NAPSLO developed the ASLI program for surplus lines professionals. The foundation sponsors and funds the academic awards.

The ASLI program consists of four courses and national examinations. The courses cover the purpose, evolution, regulation, and distribution of surplus lines insurance.

ASLI also covers surplus lines marketing issues, products, underwriting, and risk financing. Broader insurance industry topics include ethics; insurance contract analysis; and insurance operations such as underwriting, loss control, premium auditing, reinsurance and claims practices.