NU Online News Service, June 16, 11:20 a.m. EDT

Robert B. Baxter, CEO and general manager of Dryden MutualInsurance Company, has been awarded the New York InsuranceAssociation Inc.'s (NYIA) 2010 Chair's Distinguished ServiceAward.

Mr. Baxter received the award at NYIA's annual conference inSaratoga Springs, N.Y.

Mr. Baxter has served on NYIA's board of directors for the pastsix years.

He has worked in the insurance industry for more than 30 yearsand has been CEO of N.Y.-based Dryden Mutual Insurance Company--acommercial and personal insurer--for the past 16 years.

Additionally, Mr. Baxter is a trustee of the New York InsuranceScholarship Foundation Inc, a foundation affiliated with NYIA thatis dedicated to ensuring the future of the insurance industry bysupporting students studying the business of insurance.

He also founded and operated a series of high school insuranceclasses in Tompkins County, N.Y., through the InVEST program, whichis designed to attract new talent to the insurance industry.

Mr. Baxter is involved in the Better Business Bureau of UpstateNew York; the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of NewYork; the Insurance Information Institute; the National Associationof Mutual Insurance Companies; the Professional Insurance Agents ofCT, NJ and NY; and the Property Casualty Insurers Association ofAmerica.

He was previously a commissioned officer and later a captain inthe United States Air Force.