The Wisconsin Association of Health Underwriters is an association for the health insurance professional. Whether an agent, broker or consultant, WAHU represents those individuals engaged in providing products and services that help finance the cost of health care for Wisconsin consumers. With over 500 individual members, when you combine those members with their staff and other agents within their agency, WAHU represents over 3,000 health insurance professionals throughout Wisconsin.

WAHU works everyday to improve the health care and health care coverage industry for consumers. Through our legislative efforts, we have fought for the rights of consumers relative to costs and the ability to continue purchasing health care and the financing for it through the private sector. Through our Foundation (The W.A.H.U. Foundation), we have worked to educate our membership so that WAHU members are the most qualified and educated health insurance professionals in Wisconsin. Also through our Foundation, we have worked to educate employers about our industry so that they can become better consumers of health care and health care coverage.

About the Agent, Broker or Consultant

WAHU health insurance agents, brokers and consultants are highly qualified professionals who are trained and experienced in guiding individuals and employers through the complexities of choosing appropriate, affordable health plans. These professionals must be licensed by the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. An agent must complete continuing education every year in order to keep that license. Through WAHU, they keep abreast of new developments and standards in the health insurance industry, learn about new options that may better serve their clients, and, because they usually represent a number of insurance companies, can offer a wide range of options and alternatives.

The independence of the agent offers a very important distinction in that their objective is to keep the client for a lifetime. Since the client can end the relationship at any time, the agent is motivated to help the client decide on the best possible plan for his or her needs, and provide ongoing service after the sale.

WAHU believes that our members hold a unique position as an advocate for the health plan consumer and can be a valuable player in progress toward the right kind of health care reform. To that end, we have added a Consumer Page to our website where employers and employees alike can get important information and education about health care and health insurance. You can access this consumer page by visiting www.eWAHU.org. Our goal is to provide all Americans affordable, quality health care.

26 Years of Past Presidents

• 1982 Dennis Dewsnap
• 1983 Dennis Dewsnap
• 1984 Mary Lou Callahan
• 1985 Mary Lou Callahan
• 1986 Kyp Buth
• 1987 Jon Plamann
• 1988 Ernie Christian
• 1989 Tom Murphy
• 1990 Bob Gilray
• 1991 Ellie Rohrdanz

• 1992 JoAnne Burris
• 1993 Bob Diehl
• 1994 Bill Russell
• 1995 Al Campbell
• 1996 Tom Sanders
• 1997 Dan Schwartzer
• 1998 Gary Rogers
• 1999 Pat Ellis
• 2000 Dale Petretti
• 2001 Jim Vogel

• 2002 Ric Joyner
• 2003 Jeff Klett
• 2004 Dean M. Hoffman
• 2005 Katie Beals
• 2006 Jon Rauser
• 2007 Kent Schroeder
• 2008 Michael Derdzinski
• 2009 Al Wearing
• 2010 Fred Coan
• 2011 Bill Enright