It’s with great fondness we pay tribute to George Nordhaus, an insurance marketing pioneer and genuine people person, who passed away on April 24, 2023, at the age of 90. George was a true visionary in our industry, having founded Insurance Marketing & Management Services (IMMS) in the 1970s. He developed innovative marketing solutions for the industry, brought together players throughout the insurance distribution system at his annual convention, and interviewed thousands of movers and shakers throughout his career.
In 2008, George formed Agencies Online and later founded the USA Insurance Network.
George was especially known for his generosity, entrepreneurial spirit, and desire to always create. He inspired many to do the same and opened countless doors. George was the first to welcome some of us here at ProgramBusiness into the insurance industry. He hired founders Larry and Jeff Neilson in the early ‘80s to work in the sales department of IMMS. It’s where they gained their footing in understanding the industry and how to serve its marketing needs.
George also hired Annie George, editor of the Daily NewsFlash, where she started as an associate editor at IMMS. George gave a 25-year-old Annie a career opportunity of a lifetime when he promoted her to manage the company’s print and software marketing products.
Throughout his storied career, George wrote countless books, spoke at more than 2,000 industry conventions and meetings, and won multiple awards, including the Boston Board of Fire Underwriters’ Insurance Person of the Year, induction into the Insurance Hall of Fame, and Insurance Marketing Communications Association Golden Torch Award.
George was an OG in our industry, a true marketing icon, and ahead of his time in many ways.
He is survived by his loving wife Sue Nordhaus, his brother Jack Nordhaus (who supported George with his prolific and brilliant writing), Jack’s wife Pat Crosson, daughter Melinda Wunder (husband Tom), granddaughter Julia Wunder, and step-daughter and step-son, Monique and Jon Martin.