Leadership in Action: Introducing the New AMIN Americas Board Members
June 17, 2026
As AMIN Americas continues to evolve and support independent agencies across the region, we’re excited to welcome new leadership to the board. This year marks the beginning of a new chapter with Brendan Cumiskey stepping into the role of President, joined by newly elected board members Tricia Barrett, Ken Chitwood, and Tom Lillig. We sat down with each of them to learn more about their backgrounds, what motivates their involvement in AMIN, and the opportunities they see ahead for our member agencies.
Meet Our New Americas President: Brendan Cumiskey
Profile
Agency: Dalton
Role: President
Years in AMIN: 25
Office location: Jacksonville, FL | Atlanta, GA | Nashville, TN
Personal Motto
Be Curious. Stay Humble.
Meet Our New Americas Member: Tricia Barrett
Profile
Agency: Crowley Webb
Role: CEO
Years in AMIN: ?
Office location: Buffalo, NY
Personal Motto
Work hard, Stay Humble, Be Kind
Meet Our New Americas Member: Ken Chitwood
Profile
Agency: Sasquatch Agency
Role: CEO
Years in AMIN: 30
Office location: Portland, OR
Personal Motto
It’s about the people. Always.
It’s better to do something rather than nothing – even if it’s not exactly right.
Meet Our New Americas Member: Tom Lillig
Profile
Agency: Stone Ward
Role: Managing Partner
Years in AMIN: 20+
Office location: Chicago
Personal Motto
What’s Within You Is Stronger Than What’s In Your Way
Get to Know Us | The Board Weighs in on the Future of AMIN
What Motivated You To Step Into This New Position?
BC: I’ve benefited tremendously from the relationships and shared knowledge within AMIN over the years. Serving in this role is an opportunity to give back while helping strengthen connections across our network of independent agencies, both in North America and around the globe.
KC: I’ve been on the board previously and have been active within AMIN for many years. I wanted to be involved with the current generation and help shape the next phase of AMIN.
TB: I’m so inspired and encouraged by our allies and want to continue leaning into the learning from each other.
TL: For an organization that has contributed so much to my professional growth and our agency’s success, serving on the Board feels like an opportunity to give back and help steward the next chapter of a network that has given so much to both.
What opportunities are you most excited about for the network over the next few years?
BC: I’m excited about helping agencies navigate change together, particularly around AI, talent, and growth. There’s also tremendous opportunity to deepen collaboration and create new engagement opportunities among member agencies.
TB: I love our in-person gatherings and can’t wait to collaborate more with other partner agencies.
TL: Between AI, changing client expectations, and the growing pressure on the holding company model, our industry is entering a period of significant change. I’m excited about the opportunity for AMIN to help independent agencies define what comes next and ensure our model continues to thrive as a powerful alternative in the marketplace.
What has AMIN meant to your agency’s growth?
BC: AMIN has given Dalton access to a trusted group of agency leaders who openly share ideas, challenges, and best practices. That collective knowledge has helped us make better decisions and grow stronger as an agency. It has also provided employees at all levels with opportunities to connect with peers, share experiences, and gain insights that help them grow throughout their careers.
KC: AMIN has been core to our agency since we founded it 30 years ago. I honestly don’t know we would have survived all of the ups and downs over that time period if we didn’t have the resources and relationshpis of AMIN.
TB: As an independent agency, being part of an industry network to share resources and collaborate with has been invaluable.
TL: In mountaineering, a “rope team” is a group of climbers connected together to help each other reach the summit, and that’s what AMIN has been for our agency. Through every growth peak and valley, AMIN has been that rope team of trusted advisors, experts, and friends helping us climb higher than we could have on our own.
What’s a lesson you’ve learned from fellow AMIN members that has stayed with you?
BC: One lesson that has stuck with me is that the best leaders are often the most willing to share both their successes and failures. Those candid conversations have been some of the most valuable learning experiences of my career.
KC: Don’t be afraid to look stupid. I’ve learned so much from so many smart people in AMIN by just opening myself up and saying “I’ve never done this before and I don’t have a clue what I’m doing.” There is never any judgment – only help.
TB: Find a way to manage the stress and don’t let the job get the best of you. You can’t take care of others if you’re not taking care of yourself.
TL: Trust grows when people are willing to be real with one another. I was reminded of that at the 2021 Global Management Conference in Iceland when a group of agency leaders found themselves applying silica mud masks together in the Blue Lagoon and realizing that sometimes allyship grows stronger when you’re willing to look a little ridiculous together.
What challenges are agency leaders navigating today that deserve more attention?
BC: Beyond technology, agency leaders are navigating how to preserve culture, creativity, and talent development amid rapid change. The human side of leadership deserves just as much attention as the operational side.
KC: Figuring out how to adapt to this next phase of what an agency is and how yours fits into into that new world. But there are a million facets to that.
TB: Many of us have multiple generations in the workplace and each one is vastly different. How we navigate managing people (not the work) while navigating the crazy world we’re living in is a skillset we could all devote more time to.
TL: Agency leaders are being pulled in two directions at once: toward a future that seems to move faster every day and toward a workforce that increasingly craves connection, purpose, and belonging. The challenge is finding a way to accelerate while still fostering the connection, engagement, and sense of belonging that people need to thrive.
How would you encourage newer members to get the most from the network?
BC: Jump in and get involved early. The more relationships you build and conversations you participate in, the more value you’ll gain from the network.
KC: Get involved. AMIN is a group where you get out of it a multiple of what you put into it. But a multiple of zero is still zero. So don’t let your involvement be zero. Roll up your sleeves and do something!
TB: Lean in, be curious, and stay involved.
TL: Show up. Ask the question. Make the outreach. Whether it’s a webinar, a peer group, or a conversation with a fellow member, the value of AMIN starts when you engage; as the saying goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.”
The strength of AMIN has always been its willingness to learn from one another, share openly, and grow together. As the Americas board welcomes new leadership, members can look forward to continued collaboration, fresh perspectives, and a commitment to helping independent agencies thrive in a changing industry.
What’s Happening Now
Leadership in Action: Introducing the New AMIN Americas Board Members
As AMIN Americas continues to evolve and support independent agencies across the region, we're excited to welcome new leadership to the board. This year marks the beginning of a new chapter with Brendan Cumiskey stepping into the role of [...]
AMIN Next Gen Lisbon 2026 | From Local Truth to Global Growth
When AMIN members gathered in Lisbon for the 2026 Next Gen Conference, the agenda promised thought-provoking speakers, meaningful discussions, and opportunities to strengthen relationships across the network. It delivered all of that and more. Hosted by our friends at [...]
2026 Grit No Quit Conference Reflection with John Gatesman
Resilient. Honest. Energizing. John Gatesman Reflects on the 2026 AMIN Integrated Conference For several days in Pittsburgh, independent agency leaders from across the AMIN network gathered to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and tackle the realities Hosted by member agency, Gatesman, [...]
