Heffernan Insurance Brokers Vice President Merideth Wieland, AIC, AIS, Wins Award from the National Association of Insurance Women

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Heffernan Insurance Brokers, one of the largest independent brokerage firms in the United States, is proud to announce that the firm's Vice President of Claims, Merideth Wieland, AIC, AIS, was named the 2010 Claims Professional of the Year on March 20, 2010.  This honor was presented by the National Association of Insurance Women-Region VIII, which supports the states of California, Utah, Hawaii, and Nevada.

An insurance professional for 21 years, Wieland joined Heffernan in 2006 and was promoted to Vice President in 2007. She also worked for Zenith Insurance Company and Travelers Insurance Company throughout her career. Wieland earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1989.

Wieland said, "I've always believed insurance, and claims in particular, to be a wonderful career. I find my current role with Heffernan to be the most rewarding and interesting position I've had, allowing me to be much more entrepreneurial than ever before."

About the NAIW

The National Association of Insurance Women (International) is an association of insurance professionals dedicated to development of leaders in the insurance industry. Nearly 13,000 members belong to local associations across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.

About Heffernan Insurance Brokers 

Heffernan Insurance Brokers, formed in 1988, is one of the largest independent insurance brokerage firms in the United States. Heffernan provides comprehensive insurance and financial services products to a wide range of businesses and individuals. Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, Heffernan has additional offices in San Francisco, Petaluma, Palo Alto, Los Angeles, and Orange, California; Portland, Oregon; Chesterfield, Missouri, and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Heffernan Insurance Brokers was named the Top Mid-Sized Broker in the United States to Work for in 2009 by Business Insurance Magazine. The firm has been among the Top Greater Bay Area Philanthropists since 2003 by donating more than $2.5 million to local charities.  Each of the firm's 420 employees is granted four paid days off per year to volunteer their time at a local nonprofit.  The Heffernan Group provides a Workplace Wellness program for all employees and many participate in active volunteering events such as the Avon Breast Cancer Walk.

For more information, please visit heffgroup.com or call 800.234.6787. License # 0564249.

SOURCE Heffernan Insurance Brokers