Joseph R. Stewart

Joe Stewart currently serves as Chief Advocacy Officer for the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (IIANC). He also serves as state lobbyist for the NC Chapter of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (health insurance agents). Joe has 40 years experience in government, politics, association management, issue advocacy, campaigns and fundraising in NC and Washington, DC.

Prior to his current position providing leadership for the legislative and political action efforts of the 10,000+ statewide membership of IIANC, Joe was the Executive Director of the NC Free Enterprise Foundation (NCFREE), a non-profit, nonpartisan political research organization with a business and economic orientation – Joe also served a term on the NCFREE Board following his departure as Executive Director.

Joe’s resume includes Political Director of the NC Chamber of Commerce (launching both the PAC and Independent Expenditure programs for that organization, and winning the 2010 and 2011 Business and Industry PAC President’s Award for outreach and advocacy efforts); Executive Director of the Insurance Federation of North Carolina (a trade association representing the insurance industry on legislative and regulatory issues, where he was ranked among the most effective lobbyists by the NC Center for Public Policy Research); and, Chief Deputy State Treasurer of North Carolina and Assistant Secretary of the NC Department of Public Safety.