The Tennessee Insuror Nov/Dec 15

6INSURORTHE TENNESSEE

November/December 2015 Vol. 26 No. 6 10

122nd Annual Convention

Recap

12“TRID” Lightly

With New Lending

Regulations

2015 National Alliance

Conferees

www.insurors.org

Ready to RunNew Insurors President Christie Reeves is Ready to Lead in 2016

2 The Tennessee Insuror

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contents

INSURORS OF TENNESSEE2500 21st Avenue South, Suite 200

Nashville, TN 37212-0539www.insurors.org

THE TENNESSEE

INSURORVol. XXVI, Number 6

November/December 2015

Phone (615) 385-1898Toll Free: 1-800-264-1898Email: [email protected]

Editor: Charles T. Bidek, CPCUPublisher: Daniel D. Smith Jr.

INSURORS OFFICERSPresident ......................................................... Cindi Gresham, CICImmediate Past President ..................................... Lou Moran IIIIIABA National Director ................................................ Brad SmithVice President, Region I ..................................... Chris Allison, CIC VP, Region II and Pres. Elect .... Christie Reeves, CIC, CPCU, CPIW Vice President, Region III ................................. John McInturff IIITreasurer .............................................. Battle Bagley III, CIC, CPASecretary ...................................................................... Rush PowersDirector, Region I ....................................................... Portis TannerDirector, Region I ...................................................... Edward KaiserDirector, Region I .......................................................... Tim RobertsDirector, Region II ....................................................... Chip FridrichDirector, Region II .................................................... Joe Lester, CICDirector, Region II ................................................. Steve CopelandDirector, Region III ..................................................... Kevin OwnbyDirector, Region III ............................................ Josh Gibbons, AAIDirector, Region III .................................................... Eric CampbellYoung Agents Chairperson .................................... Stuart Oakes

ADVERTISINGDisplay advertising rates, deadlines and specifi-cations may be obtained by writing to Insurors of Tennessee, 2500 21st Avenue South, Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37212, calling 615.515.2601, e-mailing [email protected] or online at

www.insurors.org

The Tennessee Insuror is provided to all Insurors of Tennessee members and associate members

as a member service.

3

features

departments

6 122nd Annual Convention Recap

10 “TRID” Lightly With New Lending Regulations ‘Know Before You Owe” Rule Adds Challenges

12 2015 National Alliance Conferees Eighty-Two Insurance Professionals in Tennessee Earned Designations...

14 Daniel Learns About Insurance: Are Your Jingle Bells Covered?

21 From Your President Thank You For a Wonderful Year

23 From Your IIABA National Director Thanking My Insurors Family

25 From Your CEO Needs of the Many or the Wants of the Few?

29 Education Calendar

31 Government and Legal Affairs

37 Broker Spotlight RLI PUPs

39 Company Spotlight Safeco Insurance

41 Company Briefs

51 Meetings

53 Member Tips Expert Advice on Preparing for Severe Winter Weather

4 Ready to Run New Insurors President Christie Reeves is Ready to Lead in 2016

Applied UnderwritersTennessee Insuror Back Page Ad

Live 8” x 10.5”Trim 8.5” x 11”

Bleed 8.75”x 11.25”

AU N Covered Bridge TI C4

Contact: Sheila Gallagher P: 707-395-0645 Email: [email protected]

Applied Underwriters

©2015 Applied Underwriters, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best. Insurance plans protected U.S. Patent No. 7,908,157.

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Running a race takes a lot of things - endurance, tenacity, fo-cus and ability are just a few of them. When you look at the life and career of Christie Reeves, you can see all of those at-tributes apply to everything she does. Although she says she runs for exercise and as a “stress-reliever,” you can see that she has a runner’s spirit too.

From Humble Beginnings

Christie was born and raised in Memphis to a blue-collar fam-ily that worked hard but didn’t put a lot of emphasis on edu-cation. Her parents were hard workers, and they came from humble beginnings. Christie’s maternal grandparents were farmers in Mississippi, and based on her first experience try-ing to milk a cow, she knew that wouldn’t be her career. From a young age, she knew that she wanted things to be different for her, “I knew that education was the path to creating a dif-ferent kind of life for myself.”

Around age eleven, Christie started working and saving, plan-ning ahead for her future. Once she graduated from Hillcrest High School, she decided that she wanted to go to college at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She wanted to be away and get the full college experience, and she also loved football. So she left Memphis for Knoxville, and began her new life as a student and future businesswoman. When she arrived at Tennessee, she started out as a Calculus and Chem-

Ready to Run

New Insurors President Christie Reeves is Ready to Lead in 2016

istry major. She quickly realized that if she wanted a successful career that didn’t involve teaching, she would have to change her major. She switched to the School of Business, and found that that was truly where he talents lie.

Christie worked her way through school, paying her own way with scholarships and jobs like babysitting and as an atten-dant on a Trailways bus line. In the summers, she would return to Memphis and work two or three jobs to save up for her return to school. In 1973, she graduated with her degree and started her career in insurance. That summer, she got a job working for Aetna in their Knoxville office. She was their first female underwriter trainee, and after a year and a half, she took a new job with CNA and accepted a transfer to San Fran-cisco. Life was very different for Christie there, and she missed home, the state pf Tennessee, and of course - the football.

The Return to the Volunteer State

Wanting to be back in her home state, Christie accepted an underwriter position in Nashville with Royal Globe. The loca-tion was perfect for her, as she was halfway between Knox-ville and Memphis. She advanced quickly at Royal, and soon became an underwriting supervisor. As her career continued to blossom, she knew that soon she would have to look at transferring if she wanted to advance. Preferring to stay in Nashville, and wanting to be closer to the customer-side of

5The Tennessee Insuror

the Nashville local board. After her involvement with Insurors of Nashville, she decided she wanted to get involved in the State Association. She served on the Education Committee, and was elected as a Region II Director in 2000. She then served as Secretary before leaving the Board to focus on the transition at her agency. Gale Smith & Co. sold to Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management and Insurance Services in 2008, and Christie was asked to join new local management team. In her new agency role as Director of Client Operations, Christie works with pro-ducers and CSRs in the agency and helps develop and train new staff members at the Nashville and Louisville locations.

Christie has always enjoyed giving back, mentoring and help-ing young people. She has been a mentor in the UT alumni program, and has also volunteered at the Nashville Juvenile Detention Center helping mentor girls aged 12-18. As for her own mentors, she says that people like John Witherspoon Jr., Ken Patterson and Jim Stanton encouraged her, taught her to be tough and trusted her to get things done.

What’s Next?

Christie says a lot has changed in the industry since she got her start, “Technology has really changed our business, and mostly for the better.” She continues, “We have an emphasis on automation and procedures, but we also may have less of an emphasis on knowledge.” That is another reason why education is such an important topic for her. When Insurors added the CIC program, Christie was one of the first people to sign up for courses. After earning the designation, she now at-tends the Ruble Seminars each year and enjoys the continual learning format that the program provides.

As President in 2016, Christie wants to focus on making sure Insurors remains a resource of knowledge to agents and the industry. From continuing education, to Young Agents, to mentoring and information, she wants to make sure Insurors is building the foundation for industry knowledge.

Christie is also the third female President in Insurors history and the second in a row. She wants to be an example for fe-males in the industry, and let them know that hard work and determination can provide anyone with the same success that she has found. That is another area she has seen change

the business, Christie took a position with Gale Smith & Com-pany in 1987. It was a big change, as the agency did not have set job titles or compensation. “I didn’t really know what I was getting into,” she recalls. “I just knew that the agency side of the business was where I wanted to be.”

At Gale Smith, she settled in as sort of an “account executive” for John Witherspoon. The management team at Royal had encouraged her to pursue continuing education, and being at Gale Smith furthered that emphasis. Christie knew that doing so would help her stand out, “I was still a woman in a man’s world then, and I knew that knowledge was what would earn me respect.” In 1983, Christie earned her CPCU, and she has continued with education ever since.

The management team at Gale Smith quickly saw promise in Christie and she was promoted to marketing before joining the management team herself. She was the first female to do so in the company’s history, and was also named as the cor-porate secretary.

Changing Career and Changing Life

While her career kept progressing and changing, Christie’s life was changing as well. She was set up on a blind date, and the handsome young man wearing the Alabama Crim-son Tide jacket would later become her husband. Durl and Christie were married in 1980 (after he changed his football allegiance).

The couple’s first child, daughter Emily, was born in 1985 and is a fellow UT alumni. She now works in logistics for a firm in Nashville. Their second daughter, Elissa, was born in 1987. Elissa was born with Down Syndrome and had three heart surgeries before the age of two. Despite her health complica-tions, Elissa is full of joy and can always put a smile on your face with her love of life. She is in a day program at Bright-stone in Franklin, where Christie and the family have done volunteer work over the years.

Christie and the Association

In the mid-90s, Christie was introduced to Insurors through

Christie, husband Durl and daughters Elissa and Emily

Christie, daughter Emily and friend Bekah Waterston complete a relay run at “Hoggin’ & Joggin’”


in her time in the industry. “When I was younger, it was hard to get respect as a female in the business,” she recalls. “But now I see a lot of opportunities for women, and if they work hard and build their knowledge base insurance can be a very rewarding career for them.”

Christie truly does have a love for insurance, and it can be seen in her support of so many industry initiatives. In addition to Insurors education programs, she has volunteered on the Liaison Committee for the Martin Chair of Insurance at Middle Tennessee State University. Why are these things important to her? “We have an age gap in this industry, and this is a qual-ity business that is very important to commerce in our coun-try. If young people are looking for an opportunity to find a lifelong career and be successful, insurance can provide that opportunity.”

It is easy to see why Christie gained the respect of her peers and superiors throughout her career. In 2003, she was named as the Tennessee Insuror of the Year by this Association, and in 2012, she was named to the Robert E. Musto Tennessee In-surance Hall of Fame at MTSU. She was only the second fe-male inductee in the Hall’s history.

Now Christie takes on a new challenge as Association Presi-dent for 2016. Based on what she has already done in her life and in our industry, we are certain her year will be a successful one. u

Christie and others at the 2012 TN Insurance Hall of Fame induction

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Christie stands by “The Gallagher Way” principles


Technologythere when it ma�ers most there when it ma�ers mostthere when it ma�ers most

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At Donegal we understand that “ease of doing business” is vital in determining the value of a carrier to any independent agency. That’s why Donegal focuses on providing superior technology including fully automated web-based systems for Personal and Commercial Lines to give our agents optimal efficiency in quoting and issuing policies.

And while we’re pleased to offer advanced technology equal to any of the national carriers, Donegal constantly strives to improve and enhance that technology.

Donegal’s commitment to delivering superior technology to make your job easier… another way Donegal is “There When It Matters Most.”

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Attendees gather for the Sunday night Opening Celebration featuring former Vols Coach Phil Fulmer

The Insurors 122nd Annual Convention was another success-ful event for the Association. Over 430 attendees were on hand at the Holiday Inn World’s Fair Park in Knoxville, and we had many sold out functions throughout the event.

Things kicked off with our tailgate before Tennessee’s big win over Georgia. Over 100 people joined us on the Festival Lawn in World’s Fair Park on Saturday afternoon before the game for our tailgate presented by Consumers Insurance. The rain held off and we enjoyed a nice day with food, fellowship, and some beverages!

Sunday we got things started with Steve Anderson’s Outlook Seminar helping us all be more efficient. That afternoon we opened up our trade show with over 80 exhibitors on hand and our Business Connection Lounge presented by Chubb. On Sunday evening, our keynote speaker, Tennessee legend Phil Fulmer, gave a motivating speech to the more than 400 in attendance.

Monday morning completed our trade show with exhibit hall breakfast and prize giveaways. Attendees then packed out the breakout sessions, discussing the state of Work Comp in the Opt-Out Woes session, and dissecting claims case stud-ies during Rick Pitts’s Ten Minute Mysteries. Our attendees

122nd Annual Convention Recap Over 400 Attendees Participate in 2015 Event in Knoxville

then headed to their optional activities, with wine tasting, clay shooting and golfing all on the agenda. Travelers Insur-ance again helped sponsor the golf outing, with INSBANK and Finworth Mortgage continuing their annual Clay SHoot spon-sorship. Our golf winners were the team of Cy Young, Justin Poole, Danny Geoffrion and Brian Tunge. Our Clay Shooting winners included INSBANK sponsor Mike Qualls as “Top Shot.” Everyone was a winner at the wine tasting event at Blue Slip winery.

Yee-Haw Brewing Company was on hand to offer samples to attendees at our tailgate at World’s Fair Park


Smith of Smith-Berclair Insurance in Memphis for the second time in his career.

The always popular door prizes were also given out on Tues-day morning, we many attendees receiving some great part-ing gifts.

Send in Your Feedback and Save the Date for 2016

We hope you enjoyed the 2015 event, but we would love to hear your feedback on the convention. Please e-mail Daniel Smith at [email protected] with any thoughts, concerns or questions you may have. Didn’t attend this year? We would love to hear what would make the event one you wouldn’t want to miss.

Whether you were able to attend this year’s event or not, please make plans to join us for next year’s event on October 29-November 1, 2016 at the beautiful Omni hotel in down-town Nashville for the Insurors of Tennessee 123rd Annual Convention. u

Award Winners

Monday night featured our Young Agents Reception pre-sented by Berkley Southeast Insurance Group. We had over 40 attendees that took time to network and help raise almost $1,000 in donations for InsurPACTN.

Tuesday morning we closed with our Association Day and Annual Meeting. Guest speaker and Big “I” Executive Commit-tee member David Walker brought everyone up-to-date on our National Association, and then inducted our 2016 Board of Directors, led by Christie Reeves of Arthur J. Gallagher in Brentwood. Many volunteers were also thanked for the ser-vice on the Board.

Tuesday morning was also time for the presentation of the 2015 awards. The Arch Northington Young Agent of the Year award went to Eric Campbell of Reliance Partners and the Jim Alexander Chairperson of the Year award went to Stuart Oakes of TIS Insurance Services in Knoxville. Presidential Ci-tations were presented to Janet Smith of Bailey Special Risks and Bryan Wimberly of Douglas & Greer in Memphis. The prestigious Insuror of the Year award was presented to Brad V.

Attendees and exhibitors take time to catch up and discuss some potential business at our trade show

Our wine tasters enjoyed a pairing in a rail car at the Historic Southern Railway

PRESIDENTIAL CITATION

JANET SMITHBailey Special Risk

Janet was awarded for her many contributions

to independent agents in Tennessee.

PRESIDENTIAL CITATION

BRYAN WIMBERLYDouglas & Greer

Bryan was awarded for his work as president of the

Insurors of Memphis local board.

ARCH NORTHINGTON YOUNG AGENTERIC CAMPBELLReliance Partners

Eric was named Young Agent of the Year for his

work on the State & Local Board and volunteerism.

JIM ALEXANDER COMMITTEE AWARD

STUART OAKESTIS Insurance Services

Stuart was awarded for his work as the Chair of the

Young Agents Committee and on the State Board.

INSUROR OF THE YEARBRAD V. SMITH

Smith-Berclair InsuranceBrad was named Insuror

of the Year for the second time in his career for his work as SND and for 30+

years of Association service.


The Borrower Plays More Than One Crucial Role

There are many ways in which the borrower can help avoid closing delays. Give your lender any documents necessary to complete the loan as soon as possible. Read the Loan Esti-mate carefully so any questions can be resolved early in the process and avoid any last minute changes to the loan. Work with your real estate agent and the seller’s agent to conduct home inspections, order reports (e.g. pest inspections), and clear any contingencies as early in the process as possible. Schedule your final walk through well before the Closing Dis-closure is issued. Be up front and let your lender know about any changes to the transaction that might impact the loan or the closing.

Despite these new challenges present with TRID, you can still ensure a smooth mortgage transaction by choosing a knowl-edgeable lender who can help you navigate through all of the new rules and regulations. Lenders who were ready for the TRID implementation have not slowed down at all, and con-tinue to close loans in less than 30 days. Choose wisely!

About the Author

Keith Collison serves as Managing Director of Fin-worth Mortgage, LLC, a subsidiary of INSBANK. He has over fourteen years of experience in mortgage banking, and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Real Estate and Mortgage Financing from Mississippi

State University. He may be contacted at [email protected]. u

TILA is a much shorter acronym for the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) Inte-grated Disclosure. A little over six weeks ago the TRID (also known as the ‘Know Before You Owe’) rule was implemented by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The TRID was designed to consolidate the TILA with the RESPA Act to pro-vide a better understanding during the decision making pro-cess for homebuyers and refinance candidates.

Both the documentation and the process flow have been heavily impacted by the new TRID regulations. The two major document changes that you should be aware of include the addition of the Loan Estimate and the Closing Disclosure. The Loan Estimate or LE is created at the beginning of the lending process and provides the potential borrowers with a clear and accurate disclosure of all estimated fees that will be incurred during the lending process. The new Loan Estimate is a com-bination of the old Truth-in-Lending and the Good Faith Esti-mate. This document must be delivered and disclosed within three business days of the initial application. The Closing Dis-closure or the CD replicates the HUD-1. It is a detailed and ac-curate disclosure of every actual fee needed to close. The big-gest change is that the Closing Disclosure must be delivered three days prior to closing.

Before the new regulations, there was not a required waiting period and this document could be delivered to the borrower at the time of the closing. This will now give the borrower adequate time to review and compare fees against the initial Loan Estimate. The borrowers must sign off on the Closing Disclosure to start the 3 day waiting period prior to closing.

The overall consensus is that TRID is going to slow down the mortgage process by at least 15 days. Most banks are now telling their clients that it will take 60 to 90 days to complete the entire loan process. With the proper policies and pro-cedures in place, it is still realistic to close a loan in 30 days. In order for that to happen a lender will be required to document accurate fee informa-tion from the borrower’s chosen vendors on the front end. The lender will also have to efficiently deliver disclosures and document the receipt of these new time sensitive disclosures.

“TRID” Lightly With New Lending Regulations‘Know Before You Owe Rule’ Adds Challenges written by Keith Collison, Finworth Mortgage


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Visit www.finworth.com or call David Coldiron at 615.345.9484 to learn more.

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Each year we honor individuals who have completed the re-quirements to earn National Alliance designations.

Twenty-four Tennessee agents earned the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation in 2015. CICs offer a higher professional level of experience and competence.

Certified Insurance CounselorsJill E. Bachuss, CICThe Hardin County Bank Insurance Agency - CounceJill is an Agent with Hardin County Bank Insur-ance Agency and has been in the industry for fourteen years. She earned a Bachelor of Sci-ence Degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee. She started with

Hardin County in 2001 and worked in several positions before becoming an agent selling Personal Lines and then began working in Commercial Lines.

Taylor Beck, CICJoe Morton & Son, Inc. - Knoxville

Bonnie Jamison Burchfield, CIC, CISRSam Neill Insurance - MorristownBonnie works as the Agent and Marketing Spe-cialist for Sam Neill Insurance Agency. She has over fifteen years of experience in the industry and has attended Safeco’s Personal Insurance School.

Rebecca L. Charles, CICJames A. Scott & Son - Franklin

Saundra A. Etchison, CIC, CISRRobins Insurance Agency, Inc. - NashvilleSaundra is a Commercial Lines Manager/Tech-nical Training Manager for Robins Insurance Agency, and has over eleven years of industry experience. Shea earned her B.B.A in Marketing from MTSU and began her career as a captive

personal lines sales representative before moving to Med Mal Liability account management and then field Property Claims adjusting. She now works with account including niche mar-kets in entertainment and community associations

2015 National Alliance Conferees

Eighty-Two Insurance Professionals in Tennessee Earned Designations This Year

Paige Stiefel receives her CIC pin at the Conferment Ceremony

Allison P. Fones, CIC, CISRMemphis

Haley Erin Hardin, CICVan Meter Insurance Group - Franklin

Amy. M. Harrison, CICNationwide Insurance - Nashville

Darcy Hooper, CICBB&T Insurance Services - CLJT&H - NashvilleDarcy is an Account Manager for BB&T Insur-ance Services - CLJT&H and has over eleven years of experience in the insurance industry. She handles commercial property and casualty accounts for the agency with emphasis in con-

struction and manufacturing.

Pamela Jeffreys, CIC, AINSJames E. Brown Insurance Agency - KnoxvillePamela works as a Commercial Lines Agent for James E. Brown Insurance Agency and has over eleven years of experience in the insurance in-dustry.

Michelle Kubaiko, CICLipscomb & Pitts Insurance, LLC - Memphis

Kevin P. Lockmiller, CICV. R. Williams & Company - WinchesterKevin s a Commercial Producer for V. R. Williams and has been in the industry for seven years. He earned his B.B.A. in Management/Marketing from MTSU and worked on the company side for two years before making the transition to an

independent agency.

Sherrie Maloy, CIC, CRM, CISRArthur J. Gallagher Risk Management - BrentwoodSherrie is a Client Service Manager for Arthur J. Gallagher and has eleven years of experience in insurance. She started out as a Personal and Commercial Claims representative with Farm-ers Help Point and transitioned into the bro-

kerage side of the business where she handled Commercial Property and Casualty accounts for various industries and of various sizes. Prior to joining Gallagher, she handled a book of business of Medical Malpractice insurance for individual, group and institutions.


Melissa D. O’Brien, CIC, CISRMiller Loughry Beach Ins. Services - MurfreesboroMelissa is the Commercial Lines Operation Manager for Miller Loughry Beach and has been in the industry for over eighteen years. She attended Tennessee State University with major in Business Management. She obtained

her CISR designation in 2006.

Debbie C. Rose, CICThe Hardin County Bank Insurance Agency, Inc. - SavannahDebbie is an Agent with Hardin County Bank Insurance Agency and has been in the industry for thirty-five years. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration

from the University of Tennessee at Martin. She joined Hardin County after working for a captive agency for over twenty-five years.

Gregory Saunders, CIC, CSDFarmers Insurance Group - SmyrnaGreg is the Area Sales Manager for Farmers In-surance Group and has been in insurance for seven years. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and works on developing sales and marketing initiatives for the company.

Scott A. Schorp, CICVan Meter Insurance Group - Franklin

Denise D. Slay, CIC, PLCSLipscomb & Pitts Insurance, LLC - MemphisDenise is a Personal Lines Coverage Specialist (PLCS) for Lip-scomb & Pitts and has been in insurance for ten years. She began her insurance career in 2005 as a receptionist at an in-dependent agency in Georgetown, Texas. She attended San Diego State University and the University of Houston and was hired by Lipscomb & Pitts in March of 2011.

Paige Denise Stiefel, MBA, CICAsurion - Nashville

Angie B. Summers, CICState Auto Insurance - Camden

Jack Thoma, CICE.B. Thoma & Son Agency, Inc. - TullahomaJack is a Producer for E.B. Thoma & Son and has been in insurance for three years. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Risk Management & Insurance. He worked for Auto-Owners Insurance for two years as a com-

mercial underwriter before joining the family agency.

Jackson R. Vaughan, CICJames A. Scott & Son, Inc. - KnoxvilleJackson is a Risk Advisor - P&C / Workers’ Comp with Scott In-

continued on page 41

surance and has over six years of experience in the industry. He graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Risk Management & Insurance.

Roberta (Bobbi) Williams, CIC, CPCU, ARM, ARM-P, AAILiberty Mutual - NashvilleBobbi is a Commercial Lines Underwriting Manager with Lib-erty Mutual Insurance and has been in the industry for over twenty-nine years. She has a Bachelors degree in Health Ser-vices Management from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Jean M. Willson, CIC, CISRStrate Insurance Group - MorristownJean is a Business Insurance Service Associate with Strate Insurance and has eight years of in-dustry experience. Prior to 2007, she co-owned a small family business. She also attended the University of Kentucky.

Certified Risk Managers

Ten insurance professionals in Tennessee earned the Cer-tified Risk Manager (CRM) designation in 2015. The CRM designation demon-strates that you are a knowl-edgeable professional in all areas of managing risks, hazards and exposures for clients.

David H. Allen, CIC, CRMRSS Insurance - ChattanoogaDavid is a Principal of RSS Insurance and has nine years of experience in insurance. He graduated Cum Laude receiving a Bachelor of Business Ad-ministration degree from the University of Ten-nessee – Knoxville, with a major in Finance and

collateral in International Business. He also received a degree in Spanish. Currently he is completing a Masters of Science in Insurance and Risk Management from The Florida State Uni-versity. He is also a proud member of the Beta Gama Sigma national honor society and serves on Insurors Young Agents Committee.

Laurie Andrews, CIC, CRM, CPIABB&T - KDC Insurance Services - KingsportLaurie is an Assistant Vice President –Marketing for BB&T - KDC and has over eighteen years in the industry. She earned her Bachelors in Busi-ness Administration from Drury University and joined Cooper, Love and Jackson in September

1997 as a producer. She transferred from Nashville to King-sport in 2013 and transitioned from production to marketing.

Emily Biging, CRMOHL - Nashville

David Allen receives his CRM pin at the Conferment Ceremony


Daniel Learns About Insurance: Are Your Jingle Bells Covered?Could Professional Light Installation Leave You Crying All the Way? written by Daniel Smith

Insurors Director of Communications Daniel Smith is far from an insurance expert, but he is trying to learn! In this series he will look into insurance industry and coverage questions he has about popular trends in day-to-day life.

“250 strands of lights, 100 individual bulbs per strand, for a grand total of 25,000 imported Italian twinkle lights.” - Clark Griswold’s Holiday lighting display in National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.

Back in 1908, it was said that the insurance industry was at war with Christmas. There had been so many fires caused by candles, hot lights, dry trees and flammable materials being used for decoration that the New York Board of Underwrit-ers issued a warning/announcement to every client of every fire-insurance firm in the city.1 The underwriters warned that these materials, along with “the use of moving picture ma-chines,” was causing “additional hazard not contemplated by the underwriters in issuing policies of indemnity covering the usual fire hazard.”

In the 1920s, reliable Christmas lights that minimized the risk of fire were introduced and began to replace candles and more dangerous electric lighting. As they became more popular and cost-effective, Americans began broadening their use of

lights for large external displays and holiday decorations.

You may not have thousands of lights decking your halls for the holidays, but maybe one of your clients does. In fact, Ten-nessee has a few of the largest displays in the country. Chad’s Winter Wonderland in Lebanon has over 2 million lights on 8 acres of displays and uses 15,000 feet of extension cords.2 Lipton Lights in Franklin uses 4,100 LED color-changing lights running on computer-controlled circuits synchronized to eight songs. The display is run from a dedicated playback system, an FM transmitter, and hundreds of feet of data/com-munications cable.3

That’s a lot of lights, electricity, work, and maybe even liabil-ity. Most Homeowners policies will cover the personal prop-erty of the lights and displays, even if they were to cause fires or other damage. But what about installation?

Many people, at their own peril, put up their own lights and decorations during the holidays. However, a growing number of people are hiring “professionals” to install their lighting dis-plays. It can be a costly business, as well. A custom installation with setup and take down can cost well over $1,000. Large installations and those with high roof and tree access can cost over $10,000.


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Your clients need to keep more in mind than just the instal-lation cost when hiring someone else to do the work. Hang-ing lights can be a dangerous business. With electrical access, ladders and heights involved, consumers need to make sure that installers are properly insured.

Many companies are hesitant to write light installation insur-ance, and even fewer write more than just general liability coverage. But the need for workers’ comp, property, surety and commercial auto is there, and not having it creates liabil-ity for the light installer and the homeowner.

Installing holiday lights is hard work that must be undertaken properly, but like Clark Griswold’s father-in-law said about him working hard, “So do washing machines.”

1-Per “How the Insurance Industry Tried to Ban Christmas” via Bloomberg at http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2011-12-22/how-the-insurance-industry-tried-to-ban-christmas-echoes2-Per Chad’s Winter Wonderland FAQs at http://chadswinterwonderland.com/faqs.html3-Per Lipton Lights at http://www.liptonlights.com/Pages/default.aspx

About the Author

Daniel Smith serves as the Director of Communica-tions for Insurors of Tennessee. He has a Bachelors degree in Marketing with a minor in Graphic Design from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He may be contacted at [email protected]. u

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Brent Chance is the principal agent of Ivy Insurance in Brentwood. He is a Nashville-area native who graduated from Goodpasture High School and played baseball for Belmont University. He has three children, twelve year-old Bo, ten year-old Hutson and eight year-old Harby with his wife Jennifer and they reside in Brentwood. He is still active in coaching and teaching baseball and football to youth in the community.

At the Insurors 122nd Annual Convention in October, Brent was elected as the Young Agent Representative to the Board of Directors for 2016. In that position he will also chair our Young Agents Committee.

The Insuror: Can you tell us a little about your current job title and responsibilities?

Brent: I am currently the owner of Ivy Insurance. We have a commercial, personal lines and benefits book of business. In a small agency of only five employees, the owner does everything from writing business to making the coffee and I enjoy every minute of it.

The Insuror: What can you tell us about your educational background?

Brent: I graduated with in Bachelors degree in Marketing and Hospitality Management from Belmont University.

The Insuror: How and why did you get your career in the insurance industry started?

Brent: My first job was doing individual health insurance sales. In that position I cold-called on small business owners for health insurance. Needless to say, this helped mold my sales techniques for the future in the insurance business through a lot of trial-and-error. After learning the benefits side of the insurance business, Al Phillips Insurance hired me to cross-sell my clients and learn the commercial P&C Business. When Al Phillips Insurance Agency sold out to Brown and Brown I knew it was my chance to break away and start my own agency.

With one insurance company and no outside assistance we started Ivy Insurance and have been blessed with great clients and employees ever since.

The Insuror: Do you have any influences/role models in the industry?

Brent: I have several role models in the insurance industry. Al Phillips brought me into the P&C business and I learned a lot from him and will always be thankful for what he taught me. Others like Kevin Hale and Tracy Lomax are mentors that have helped me learn how to run an insurance agency on a daily basis.

I truly believe that asking questions and mirroring the work habits of successful role models and mentors are the reasons I am where I am today.

The Insuror: Is there any advice you could offer Young Agents or others in the industry to achieve success?

Brent: At Al Phillips Insurance Agency there was a sign in the conference room that read, “Nothing happens until someone sells something.” That saying has stuck with me from the beginning. I try to run my business with a servant’s heart and take the very best care of my clients. But just like that sign I will always remember says – “Nothing happens until someone sells something.”

The Insuror: As an independent agent, you have many partners in this industry, including carriers, MGAs and many more. How do you determine which ones are the right relationships?

Brent: When it comes to partners we look for a relationship that adds value to our agency. From the carriers that provide the insurance to the brokers we share business with, we want to make sure we are a good fit. We want our partners to be leaders in their industries and be able to help us throughout the entire sales cycle.

The Insuror: Thank you for giving us your time Brent, we appreciate it and wish you continued success in your career. Brent: I appreciate the opportunity and I look forward to working with many of our industry’s future leaders through the Young Agents Committee in 2016. u

Future Leaders Spotlight presented by

Brent Chance • Ivy Insurance - Brentwood

Brent Chance of Ivy Insurance


The 2016 committee has begun planning for next year’s events, goals and activities. The committee will meet in January to build on the momentum of 2015, which saw almost 50 new Young Agent participants in our programs and events. The group also helped generate over $1,500 in Young Agent contributions to InsurPACTN.

If you are interested in providing suggestions and/or participating in events, please e-mail Daniel Smith at [email protected] or call 615.515.2601.

Below are some updates on the events scheduled for Young Agents in 2016. Please mark your calendar and join us for these opportunities to network.

March 9 - Young Agents Reception at Growth ConferenceTBD • Murfreesboro

Young Agents Committee

Brent Chance - ChairPrincipal Agent/OwnerIvy [email protected]

Stuart Oakes, CRIS - Immediate Past ChairProducer/Construction DivisionTIS Insurance [email protected]

Tim Treadwell V - Region IAccount ExecutiveBoyle Insurance [email protected]

Alan Sisk, AU, AINS - Region IIProducerGeny [email protected]

David Allen - Region IIIPrincipal AgentRSS [email protected]

For more information, please e-mail [email protected]. u

Aaron Jensen Shafer Insurance Agency, KnoxvilleAdam Reeves Union City Insurance Agency, Union CityAndrew Powers Burke, Powers, and Harty Insurance, BristolBlake Dickens Harris, Madden and Powell, MemphisBrandon Patterson Ownby Insurance Services, SeviervilleChad Richardson Swallows-Newman Insurance, CookevilleChad Snider Westan Insurance Group, MartinCharlie Taylor Burke, Powers, and Harty Insurance, BristolClement Ledbetter Battle Page Insurance, FranklinDavid Evans The Insurance Group, Inc., KnoxvilleGarrett Flannery Carroll Insurance Agency McKenzieJamie Williams Hardin County Bank Ins. Agcy., SavannahJared Smith TIS Insurance Services, KnoxvilleJason Stiltner Heritage Insurance, KingsportJason Teague Watauga Insurance, Johnson CityJeremy Stiltner Heritage Insurance, KingsportJohn Brock Brock Insurance, ChattanoogaJohn Fritts TIS Insurance Services, KnoxvilleJosh Witt The Insurance Group, Inc., KnoxvilleKevin Ownby Ownby Insurance Services, SeviervilleLeslie Frazier Shafer Insurance Agency, KnoxvilleMatt Spellings Consolidated Insurance Agency, ParisMichael Novarese McDaniel-Whitley, Inc., MemphisMike Thomas Insurance, Inc., NashvillePatrick Sala Harris, Madden and Powell, MemphisRamsey Brock Brock Insurance, ChattanoogaRobert Harris Tigrett & Pennington, NashvilleStacy Woodard Shafer Insurance Agency, KnoxvilleStuart Oakes TIS Insurance Services, KnoxvilleTim Treadwell Boyle Insurance, MemphisWill Webb Battle Page Insurance, Franklin

Congratulations Exceptional Agents 2015

Berkley Southeast Insurance Group recognizes the need to mentor the growth of new talent and to perpetuate the Independent Agency System, as well as provide young agents with a competitive advantage. Tennessee’s Young Agents are the future of our business. That’s why we are working together for success.

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The friendships that I have made along my jour-ney with the Insurors have been incredible. I was able to meet several of you at the various func-tions. Our agency and company members have gone out of their way to welcome me, along with my husband, Rocky, to your local events.

The board members that I has honored to serve with over the years have become lifelong friends. They were with me when my Mother passed away this year, hugged me and helped me dry my tears. They have helped when I have had questions. These members are not my competitors, they are friends. Friends that have help me grow my business and become a better agent. I thank each and every person that I served with on this Board. There are a few very special thank-yous; Brad Smith, thank you for encouraging me throughout my Insur-ance career and challenging me to become in-volved in the Insurors Association. Lou Moran, yes, you are the politician and I am the “bull in the china shop” but our views help balance out each other. And finally, Christie Reeves, you are the premier ‘Insurance Woman.’ Thank you for your support, encouragement and most of all friendship. I hope that you will enjoy the next year as much as I have.

I must also thank my dear, sweet husband, Rocky. He is the absolute best. He has traveled with me during this journey and have never been anything but supportive throughout my career. Rocky – I love you with all of my heart.

We accomplished a great deal this year but there is still a lot of work to do.

I would encourage each of you to get involved in our Association, either on the local or State level. I have truly received so much more than I have ever given and I believe that being involved with the Insurors will make you a better agent. I would hope that each of your would have the opportunity to serve in this capacity. I feel that I was blessed to have grabbed the brass ring. I cannot express how much this honor meant to me. This was the highlight of my career. All I can say is thank you so very much! u

Thank You for a Wonderful Year

“The last year has brought m e s o many opportunities a n d experiences.”

Cindi Gresham, CIC

As I write my final article for this position, I can’t help but look back and think about what a fan-tastic year it has been. I first want to thank all of of my fellow members for allowing me to serve as the 122nd President of the Insurors of Ten-nessee.

The last year has brought me so many oppor-tunities and experiences. Last December, I was able to participate in the swearing in of officers for the Insurors of Memphis and attend the Southern Agents Conference. In the first part of 2015 I was able to attend the Big “I” Confer-ences and attend the Insurors Day on the Hill in Washington, D.C.

I wanted to participate in the various local In-surors golf tournament and events this year, even though I was a terrible golfer. Chuck has been so patient, even when I whiffed 3 strokes on one tee box. I attended the Northwest Ten-nessee Golf Outing and I FINALLY got to taste those delicious pork chops I have heard about for so long. I was also able to play at the beauti-ful Chattanooga Golf and Country Club. What an absolutely gorgeous course!

I missed the Nashville event but have been to Nashville so many times I feel like I almost know some of the back ways during rush hour.

I was so excited that my oldest son, Brad, his wife, Alice (both alumni of UT) and my 3 grand-sons, Jack, Brayden and Tyler were able to at-tend the UT/Georgia game during this year’s convention. This was my grandsons’ first game in Neyland stadium and they were thrilled. They are convinced that UT won due to their new jer-seys that we purchased at the bookstore.

We have such strong, efficient leadership in our Association. Thank you to the entire Insurors the Tennessee staff for an outstanding job. We are the envy of many State Associations, not just in the Insurance industry but with all orga-nizations. Chuck, Ashley and Daniel, I will miss working so closely with each of you. It has been an absolute pleasure. Chuck, I have learned so much from you. I have almost developed a real interest in politics.

22 The Tennessee InsurorFor All That Matters

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Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. I don’t be-lieve that all good things must eventually come to an end, but the truth is that some of them must. The last couple of months have been a series of, “last time to do...” as I have spent most all of my adult life being involved with the Insu-rors at some level. I use the word “involved” as opposed to “serving” as I really feel I have been served more than I have served. When you get down to the basics it is almost always about the people. When I view the last 37 years from the vantage point of the people I have been blessed to be around, get to know, spend time with, exchange ideas with, and at times argue and disagree with, well it just could not have been any better.

The People Make the Difference

Our Association has attracted the highest qual-ity of people as employees and as volunteers. The quality folks are the ones who give their time and their passion to trade associations like ours. Look at our entire staff that have been with us for so many years.

Chuck Bidek began working with us in the ear-ly 70s (he says he was just out of high school) and many of us were fortunate to attend his week-long licensing schools. Mine was in 1978 and began a lifelong friendship that will never be replaced. Having the good fortune to serve for some 18 years in various roles on the State Board has allowed me to see Chuck and know his passion not just for the Association but for you the insurance agent. He truly understands and fights for what is best for us and the con-sumers of Tennessee. Since I have had the privi-lege of being on the national board for 6 years I also get to see how he is respected in that group, and not because he has been there al-most longer than anyone – but because of his understanding of what our needs are. And be-sides all that he is just a good guy.

For many years Ashley Gold was our hidden gem. Few associations can attract an attorney to work on their staff. But we didn’t just get le-gal counsel – we got a full-fledged, both feet in – whatever it takes type person – who by the

way is also very intelligent. She loves our As-sociation and our people and our cause. I learn something from her almost every time we meet as she is just a fountain of information and a real joy with which to spend time. A little dangerous on the golf course - but just a great person and I feel so very blessed to call her a friend.

Our Association cannot function without great staff and Chuck has done a great job assem-bling ours. I’ll get in trouble when trying to list everyone - but Laura, Colleen, Stephen and the others do such a terrific job. A few years back Chuck hired this young man named Daniel Smith. Little did we know what a valued asset he would become to our membership.

Quality Attracts Quality

The point is that it all fits together. Quality lead-ership only sticks around when there are qual-ity volunteers and membership. They only stick around if they feel they can make a difference and be of service. When members volunteer it is for the same reasons, they must have great leadership and know they can make a difference by serving. The benefit none of us expect to re-ceive in serving and involvement are the friend-ships we have built along the way. And wow have Cathy and I been blessed in that area.

In closing for my last article, as I move out of the way for Lou Moran III to have his opportunity to serve you, I just want to say: to those of you on staff – thank you for your service to our associa-tion and to our members. To those I have had the privilege to serve with on the boards of local, state and national over the last 37 years – thank you for having patience with me and allowing me to participate in this great organization and serve alongside you. And to both those groups I can’t thank you enough for enriching my career and my life. And finally, to those who have not yet served – you really are robbing yourself of a truly great experience.

Cathy and I thank you all for the many kindness-es shown to us and wish you all great success in the future. We pray that God may richly bless you all. u

From Your IIABA National Director

“ Q u a l i t y l e a d e r s h i p o n l y s t i c k s a r o u n d when there are quality volunteers and membership.”

Thanking My Insurors Family

Brad V. Smith

24 The Tennessee InsurorA.M. Best Rating of “A”(Excellent) FSC “XIII”

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From Your CEO


Chuck Bidek, CPCU

Needs of the Many or the Wants of the Few?

“ O u r viewpoint is that legislation s h o u l d b e reserved for t h e n e e d s that are in the interest of all Tennesseans.”

I find myself very proud of our Association as we move forward into the new year. Not nec-essarily for anything we as staff did but what our volunteers did and are doing to help defeat Opt-Out Workers’ Compensation legislation in Tennessee. The odyssey, which began in the summer of 2014, and appeared as a piece of legislation in January has been a discussion in at least three of our Board meetings. Following our mission statement, which states our actions are to be what is in the best interest of the insur-ing public, our Board never faltered from that basic tenet.

Some outsiders began to say, agents are only protecting their commissions and protecting their business. I can tell you that nothing was further from the truth. My personal discussions with so many members have centered around protecting employers and injured workers. They have trouble understanding why such a dramat-ic change is contemplated – let alone needed. I have always known that independent agents do what’s right for their clients, even when it costs them money to do so.

Your Board has allocated funds to move this is-sue from inside the legislature to the public at large for more vetting. To accomplish this we have recruited about 20 members, so far, to visit newsrooms and public officials across the state. Associate members have helped with funds and support to increase our efforts. Our National Association, IIABA, has also contributed funds from its Agency Action Fund, as this issue has the potential to turn into a national one in the coming years.

Insurors efforts so far have resulted in the bill being taken off notice, although we have been told that some of the proponents might bring back another version (their third) this Winter. What’s all that about you might ask? I like the phrase, “changing chairs on the deck of the Ti-tanic,” to distract as many as possible from the real issue.

Is Another Option Needed?

Currently, there are three ways for employers to

meet law requirements without using tradition-al insurance for workers’ compensation: self-in-surance, industry pools, and most recently, cell captives. So why is this option needed?

The most obvious answer? Because the four current methods must adhere to the laws and rules of coverages set forth by the state. Ever read a Coverage A in a workers’ compensation policy? It basically says we pay what the state says we will pay. Opt-Out says we will only pay what we want to pay. Said another way, it is an opportunity to reduce benefits and coverages.

Who is Behind the Curtain?

So who are the people supporting this idea? Although we know who the principal architect from Texas who is promoting law is, and we know whom and who is representing an associ-ation created in Fall of 2014, little else is known about the proponents. Initially it was described to us as the “marquee companies of Tennessee,” but at least so far they have not been individu-ally showing their public support.

The proponent lobbyist told me recently he had talked to me for over five hours on the issue. I assume he is paid by the hour and I intend to make him a lots of money in the coming years. He also once told me we were the only group not supporting the legislation. However, there are plenty of others and through our efforts the numbers continue to grow.

Our viewpoint is that legislation should be re-served for needs that are in the interest of all Tennesseans. Wants of the individual should be left behind. Each year over 1,000 bills are filed (many are wants) and about 150 pass. Hope-fully those that pass are needs.

We need your support to protect the needs of Tennesseans. Call or e-mail us to discuss how you can help. And for those of you that tell me you don’t like politics, let me quote what our Secretary of State recently reminded us, “If you don’t do politics, politics will do you.”

I wish you all a Happy New Year. u

A.M. Best Rating of “A”(Excellent) FSC “XIII”

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Join our unmatched team of independent agents offering workers’ comp and commercial lines insurance, including:

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• 6th Largest National Workers’ Comp Provider

• A.M. Best Rating of “A” (Excellent)FSC “XIII”


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CRM Fee: $430

8/16-19 Analysis of Risk* Nashville

Risk Seminars Fee: $420

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Online Courses (www.iiaba.net/vu) Available from IIABA Virtual University. Member pricing shown.Ethics for Insurance Professionals CE: 3 $75How to Calc. Business Income in 5 Min. CE: 3 $50National Flood Insurance Program CE: 6 $80New Employee Training Course CE: 9 $100 *check VU site for current information on CE and pricing

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CISR Fee: $186 CE: 7 3/8 Personal Lines Johnson City3/9 Personal Lines Knoxville4/12 Personal Auto Chattanooga4/13 Personal Auto Nashville4/14 Commercial Property Memphis6/15 Life & Health Memphis7/20 Commercial Casualty I Knoxville7/21 Commercial Casualty I Johnson City8/9 Commercial Casualty II Nashville8/10 Commercial Casualty II Memphis10/4 Personal Residential Knoxville10/5 Personal Residential Chattanooga12/1 Elements of Risk Nashville

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Government and Legal AffairsWhat You Need to Know About Workers’ Comp InvestigationsWritten by Ashley N. Gold, JD, Insurors General Counsel

Over the last two years the Department of Labor, Workers’ Compensation Division has increased its investigations into construc-tion service providers and other employment categories to determine whether they have workers’ compensation insurance and are classifying their employees correctly. The Bu-reau is seeking to make sure that actual em-ployees are covered where appropriate, and that there is a level playing field for employers related to workers’ compensation insurance.

The Department has nine Compliance Spe-cialists (investigators), two attorneys and four administrative staff. Their geographical areas and contact information may be found at http://tn.gov/commerce/section/insurance

In the fiscal year of 2014/15, the Uninsured Employers’ Fund (UEF) and Employer Mis-classification Enforcement and Education Fund (EMEEF) have levied the following as-sessments on Tennessee employers:

UEFNumber of assessments = 382Amount of assessments = $1,901,299.05

EMEEFNumber of assessments = 29Amount of assessments = $562,609.63

The Department relies upon the following statutory authority to obtain relevant infor-mation necessary to determine whether an employer is in compliance with the law:

“The administrator of the division of • workers’ compensation or the adminis-trator’s designee has the authority to is-sue a subpoena to require an employer doing business in the state to produce any and all books, documents or other tangible things that may be relevant to or reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of relevant information…” Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-412(a)

”The administrator of the division of workers’ compensation may request • and obtain information regarding employer workers’ compensation insur-ance policies in order to ensure compliance with the law...” Tenn. Code Ann. §50-6-421

These investigations often lead the investigators to the office of insurance agents who are writing the workers’ compensation insurance on behalf of the employer. As a result, we have received calls asking what the agent should do and what protections does the agent have for violations of privacy and confidentiality.If an investigator comes knocking on your door what should you do:

1. Ask for their ID. Most of the state investigators will contact the agent in ad-vance of a visit. They should have either state issued identification, or some type of introductory letter that they will provide to the agent.

2. Remember that you are the agent for your insured, not your insured’s sub-contractors or other 3rd parties. You do not have a confidential relationship to third parties with whom your insured is doing business. Therefore, infor-mation collected by or on behalf of your insured regarding another party is not protected and there is no confidential relationship. You can turn over that information without concern.

3. Ask for the investigator to provide you with a subpoena. A subpoena is an

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Order issued by a court, or in this case the Administrator of the Division of Workers’ Compensation, requiring you to produce tangible documents and records relevant to their investigation.

4. Contact Westport or your E&O carrier and notify them that you have received a subpoena. Westport provides first dollar subpoena coverage and will walk you through the process. Notifying Westport of your receipt of a sub-poena will not affect your claims history, no matter how many you receive. This will protect you should there be a claim in the future.

5. Contact your customer. Remember, they are still your in-sured. Although you are required by law to comply with the subpoena, the insured has a right to know that the information is being requested and that an investigation is taking place.

6. Documents that you may be asked to provide may in-clude:

Proof of WC • coverage (general contractor and subcontractors)

Contact info for insurance agent or carrier•

Information page of the current p• olicy showing total estimated payroll and state premium

Copy of the employer’s application•

Copy of audits •

Exemption certificates•

Only provide the investigator with the documents requested that you have in your possession. You are not required to pro-vide documents that are not requested in the subpoena. Nor are you required to seek out documents that are not already in your possession. This is not your job. That is the job of the investigator. If you do not have a document, simply let the investigator know the information is not in your possession. If you know where it can be obtained, they would appreciate it.

Occasionally an investigator will seek information without a subpoena. We advise that you go ahead and request that they provide one for you. This is the only way to guarantee that you are legally protected from violations of confidentiality and pri-vacy.

About the Author

Ashley N. Gold has served as General Counsel of In-surors of Tennessee since 2007, and previously con-sulted for the Association on legal and government affairs matters. She received her undergrad degree from the University of Kentucky and her Juris Doc-

tor from Samford University. She may be contacted at [email protected] or by calling her at 615.515.2606. u

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The Allison Insurance Group - JacksonBagley & Bagley Insurance - FayettevilleBoyle Insurance Agency, Inc. - Memphis

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Goss Insurance - HixsonInter-Agency Insurance Services - Knoxville

Martin & Zerfoss, Inc. - Nashville

McInturff, Milligan & Brooks - GreenevilleMiller | Loughry | Beach Insurance Services - Murfreesboro

Ownby Insurance Service, Inc. - SeviervilleSmith-Berclair Insurance, Inc. - Memphis

S.N. Anthony, Inc. - RipleyTigrett & Pennington Inc. - Dyersburg

V.R. Williams & Company - WinchesterWatauga Insurance, Inc. - Johnson City

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Association UpdateBig “I” Adds Webb to Gov. Affairs Team

Jennifer Webb has joined the Big “I” Capitol Hill team as federal government affairs counsel. Webb joins the association’s bipartisan lobbying team primarily as a liaison to Democrat congressional offices and will assist in formulating federal policy positions.

“Jennifer brings a wealth of insurance policy and legal experience to the Big ‘I’ and our small business members will benefit greatly from her institutional knowledge,” says Charles E. Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for external and government affairs. “The Big ‘I’ is pleased to welcome her to our federal government affairs team.”

A native of Leicester, New York, Webb earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and political economy from Tulane University in New Orleans and a law degree from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C. She also studied politics and law at the London School of Economics.

Willis Appoints Perry as VP in Knoxville

Willis North America, a unit of Willis Group Holdings plc, has appointed of Ken Perry as vice president of the Human Capital Practice, Willis of Tennessee, effective immediately.

Based in Knoxville, Perry will be responsible for business development within Willis’s

Human Capital Practice. He will work closely with the firm’s National Human Capital Practice to deliver employee benefits products and services to local clients. Perry will report to Andy Rader, senior VP, Human Capital Practice, Willis of Tennessee.

Perry has more than 17 years of experience in the insurance and employee benefits space. He previously served as vice president, Health & Benefits, Aon Hewitt. He has also held key roles at USI Insurance Services and United Healthcare.

Coker Running for Mayor in Hendersonville

Jeff Coker, agent and financial planner at Coker, Wolfe & Associates, Inc., in Hendersonville, has announced his plans to run for Mayor of the city in the 2016 election. Coker was one of four Republican candidates to run for state senate in the 18th district in the August 2012 primary. He

finished second to current State Sen. Ferrell Haile of Gallatin.

Coker holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Middle Tennessee State University and an Executive Certificate in Financial Planning from Belmont University’s Center for Professional Development. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in management from the University of Alabama.

Road Builders Add Two Insurors to Board

The Tennessee Road Builders Association has elected a new board of directors to serve the organization in 2015–16, and two Insurors members are among the new group.

Wink Neal of Frank E. Neal & Co., Inc. in Nashville has been named as the Associate Division Chairman and Carlton Smith of Collective Insurance Group in Nashville was named as the Associate Division Vice Chairman.

BB&T Adds Lewis in Chattanooga

BB&T Insurance Services, a subsidiary of BB&T Insurance Holdings, has hired MaryStewart Lewis as a commercial insurance consultant. Lewis brings more than 20 years in the Chattanooga business community to her new role. The Chattanooga native earned a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan College and an MBA

from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Safford Joins Crye Leike Insurance in Memphis

Greg Safford has joined the Crye Leike Insurance Agency in Memphis as the Agency General Manager. Safford previously spent almost ten years with Safeco Insurance in various roles. He has an Associates degree in General Studies from Spokane Falls Community College and a Bachelors degree in Music Composition

from Eastern Washington University.

InVEST Introduces New Chair

InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom-to-career education program, is pleased to announce that Cynthia Hower, CIC, has been appointed as chair of its national board. Hower is president of Kellerman Insurance, Inc., a Trusted Choice® independent insurance agency in Holton, Kansas.Hower joined Kellerman Insurance in 1981. The 52-year old business continues to be family-owned and operated. u

“Exclusive member agencies, collaborating to bring the best insurance solutions to their clients.”

The Allison Insurance Group - JacksonBagley & Bagley Insurance - FayettevilleBoyle Insurance Agency, Inc. - Memphis

Burke, Powers & Harty - BristolCarnal-Roberts Agency, Inc. - LexingtonCate-Russell Insurance, Inc. - Maryville

Goss Insurance - HixsonInter-Agency Insurance Services - Knoxville

Martin & Zerfoss, Inc. - Nashville

McInturff, Milligan & Brooks - GreenevilleMiller | Loughry | Beach Insurance Services - Murfreesboro

Ownby Insurance Service, Inc. - SeviervilleSmith-Berclair Insurance, Inc. - Memphis

S.N. Anthony, Inc. - RipleyTigrett & Pennington Inc. - Dyersburg

V.R. Williams & Company - WinchesterWatauga Insurance, Inc. - Johnson City

Get more information now at www.securerisk.com


Your customers like working with a local agent to handle their insurance. We think you deserve the same kind of attention. That’s why EMC has a fully staffed branch office in your area—to respond quicker and with a greater understanding of your area’s needs. It’s just one of the many reasons you and your policyholders Count on EMC ®.

TOM O’CONNELL, CPCUResident Vice President EMC Birmingham Branch

BIRMINGHAM BRANCH OFFICEPhone: 800-239-2005 | Home Office: Des Moines, IA © Copyright Employers Mutual Casualty Company 2015. All rights reserved.

www.emcins.com

LOCAL SERVICE FOR YOU

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Broker Spotlight

RLI’s Personal Umbrella Program (PUP) stands atop the exist-ing homeowner and auto insurance to provide an extra layer of personal liability protection for the insured and their family. With RLI’s PUP program, the insured can maintain their auto or home coverage with any company they choose, provided they agree to maintain the mandatory minimum underly-ing coverage limits. See application for underlying coverage limit.

With increased travel, hectic holiday shopping traffic, and possible winter weather conditions, the potential for an ac-cident could be increased. As an Insurors member, you have access to stand alone personal umbrella markets which en-able you to write most any risk you will run across. RLI’s Personal Umbrella Policy can afford your clients the ex-tra liability coverage that can provide them peace of mind this holiday season! Some of the features of RLI PUPs include:

Limits up to $5 million available• New drivers accepted - no age limit on drivers•

The insured can keep their current homeowner/auto in-• surerUp to one DWI/DUI per household allowed• Auto limits as low as 100/300/50 in certain cases• Competitive, low premiums for increased limits of liabil-• itySimple, self-underwriting application that lets you know • immediately if the insured is acceptedE-signature and credit card payment options• Immediate coverage available in all 50 states plus D.C.•

And don’t forget... excess Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is available too! Just because your clients are safe drivers, doesn’t mean their neighbors are.

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Contact David Williams at [email protected] or call 615.515.2605 for more information or to get started today. For other information on the RLI PUP program, visit http://www.insurors.org/products-programs/rli-pups/ u

RLI PUP Program


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Safeco Insurance is 100% dedicated to independent agents. No other carrier offers you the same level of regional support,

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© 2015 Liberty Mutual Insurance The audience for this information includes insurance agents and brokers nationwide and is therefore general in nature. Every agent and broker is responsible for knowing the guidelines and laws that govern rating, underwriting and claims handling in their states. Coverages and features not available in all states; see the Product Guide(s) for details. *Not available in all states

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Safeco Insurance, in business since 1923, is the No. 2 writer of personal lines in the independent agency channel in Tennessee. The insurer recently released survey results that forecast a strong case for independent agent growth as Generation Y clients become the largest segment in the marketplace.

Recently, Carl Canales, Safeco Southeast Region General Manager, talked with The Tennessee Insuror about Safeco’s current offerings and future market trends.

Tell us a little about Safeco’s history in TN.

Safeco has a long history in Tennessee; we have agents that have been with us for 75 years or more. We continue to grow due to our broad product set and the investments we’re making in our agents, both tenured and new.

Our Southeast region team has representatives and field claims professionals serving agents across Tennessee and in Suwanee, Georgia, just north of Atlanta. Our Atlanta team also boasts a group of personal lines underwriters, specialty lines underwriting experts and claims experts. We also recently added an agency claims leader in Atlanta who works directly with agents to improve the customer claims experience.

What business does Safeco write in TN?

We offer agents a variety of personal insurance choices, including auto, home, umbrella, motorcycle, watercraft, RV, classic car and more.

Both our homeowners and auto products give customers the flexibility to choose the coverage level that’s right for them. Both programs feature many options and discounts, and we’re introducing new telematics programs that will save our best drivers money.

How do you see the market changing?

Obviously, there have been many studies

Company SpotlightSafeco Insurance

that show consumers are changing. They require 24/7 service, online and mobile access. Those studies haven’t highlighted the value that people – especially Generation Y - are putting on ease, choice and advice – hallmarks of what independent agents bring to the table.

In Safeco’s May 2015 study, 31 percent of Gen Y consumers placed themselves in a segment that values independent advice, choice among insurance companies, an expert advocate, and ease of understanding their insurance options. That’s higher than Gen X, Baby Boomers and Seniors.

As this fast-growing Gen Y segment continues to grow into the insurance marketplace, we believe independent agents will see an increase in the share of consumers preferring their unique value proposition of ease, choice and advice.

How do you see Safeco’s role in helping agents succeed?

When agents succeed, Safeco succeeds. We work hard every day to earn a valued position as the carrier champion of independent agents. Safeco’s first goal is to make it easy for independent agents to do business, so agents can focus on their customers and selling insurance. For example, we offer 24-hour Gold customer service. This allows customers to do business at convenient times for them.

Our second goal is to provide agents with the tools that make it easy to help Gen Y customers – and others who value choice – understand, buy and manage coverage.

We’re building tools to help agents connect with customers more frequently. We are a founding sponsor and enthusiastic advocate of Trusted Choice. Our cross-sell and prospecting tools are turn-key and deliver results for agents.

In addition, programs like Customers for Life and Bricks & Clicks™ help agents take their marketing to the next level. Both

Tennessee Contacts

Lee AllisonRegion Manager, TN, MS, [email protected]

Deborah WalkerTerritory Manager, Middle [email protected]

Derek Wright Territory Manager, East [email protected]

Clara ShirleyAgency Specialist, [email protected]

About Safeco Insurance

In business since 1923, Safeco Insur-ance sells personal auto, homeowners and specialty products through a net-work of more than 10,000 independent insurance agencies throughout the U.S. Safeco is a Liberty Mutual Insurance company.

Safeco’s Southeast Region sales, un-derwriting and claims operations lead-ers are based in Suwanee, Georgia, just north of Atlanta.

The company has financial strength ratings of A (Excellent) from the A.M. Best Company, A2 (Good) from Moody’s Investors Service, and A- (Strong) from Standard & Poor’s.

are scheduled for Tennessee in 2016.

Ultimately, we want to help agents bring their combination of strengths – a local presence, and their value of ease, choice and advice – while embracing new tools for customer engagement. u


Bringing the Best Together IN TENNESSEE

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©2015 Keystone Insurers Group®. All Rights Reserved. This does not constitute an o�er to sell a franchise in any state in which the Keystone Insurers Group franchise is not registered.

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Dave Porch Taylor Porch

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Shari Campbell, CIC, CRM, CPCU, AIC, SCLAState Auto - GoodlettsvilleShari is a Claims Supervisor for State Auto and has twenty years of industry experience. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the Univer-sity of Tennessee and has also founded non-profit organization the Sumner Teen Center.

Michael Brent Marcum, CIC, CRM, AAILipscomb & Pitts Insurance, LLC - Memphis

Charles T. Midgett Jr., CIC, CRM, AAI, CWCALipscomb & Pitts Insurance, LLC - Memphis

Branden Miller, CIC, CRMArthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services - Brentwood

Tony Paschali, CIC, CRMThe Hartford - FranklinTony is the Regional Vice President – Atlanta/Nashville Region for The Hartford has been in insurance for thirteen years. He earned a BBA in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin. He has worked in six different cities in various

Middle Market and National Account roles for The Hartford, and has been in his current role for over three years managing

continued on page 48

agency distribution and commercial lines operation across Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi.

Kimberly H. Schultheis, CIC, CRM, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Nashville

Jim Smith, CIC, CRM, CPCU, AAI, AUThe Hartford - FranklinJim is a Specialty Liability Practice Leader for The Hartford and has eight years of experience in insurance. He graduated from MTSU with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations be-fore working in various commercial underwrit-

ing/production roles roles for State Auto, Grange Insurance and Montgomery Insurance.

Certified Insurance Service Representatives

Forty-eight Tennessee insur-ance professionals earned the Certified Insurance Ser-vice Representative (CISR) designation in 2015. The CISR Program empowers outstanding individuals to provide exceptional custom-er service. Jennifer Chandler receives her CISR

pin at the Conferment Ceremony


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Company BriefsDr. J.D. Hickey Named CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

Dr. J.D. Hickey has succeeded Bill Gracey as the CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennes-see. Gracey retired at the end of August, and Hickey had been named CEO-elect by the insurer in June, according to the com-pany. Betty DeVinney, the BlueCross board chairwoman, said Hickey has proven him-self to be a highly capable leader through-

out his time at the company.

Hickey joined BlueCross in 2011 as CEO of the BlueCross Med-icaid managed care subsidiary BlueCare Tennessee, and was named chief operating officer of the parent company less than a year later. Before coming to BlueCross, Hickey was a principal at McKinsey & Co., where he led strategic health care consulting and management teams for one of the world’s leading management consulting firms. There he was recog-nized as the top expert on health care reform.

Hickey graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University. He also earned a medical degree from the Duke University School of Medicine and a juris doc-torate from the Duke University School of Law.

Arlington/Roe Adds Huff and Koluch

Brittany Huff and Amanda Koluch have joined Arlington/Roe as marketing coordinators. Both Huff and Koluch are based at the managing general insurance agent’s Indianapolis head-quarters.

Huff is responsible for coordination with independent insurance agents in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wiscon-sin. Huff is also responsible for new agents outside of Arlington/Roe’s core territories east of the Mississippi. She received a busi-ness administration degree in marketing from the University of Iowa and previously

worked in healthcare communications and recruiting.

Koluch joined Arlington/Roe as a market-ing coordinator and executive assistant. She is returning to Arlington/Roe after working in the finance industry in Ohio for several years. Koluch handles marketing and agency coordination for agents in the states of Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee. She is also responsible for agency manage-

ment functions in states west of the Mississippi. Koluch is a

graduate of Ball State University with a degree in graphic arts management.

Central Insurance Appoints Stripe to Board of Directors

The Central Insurance Companies have announced the appointment of Dennis D. Stripe to the Board of Directors for Central Mutual Insurance and All America Insur-ance Companies, and the Central Insurex Agency effective October 30, 2015.

Stripe has more than 30 years of medical device experience, with 23 years in the orthopedic sector in various senior management positions. He is the Managing Di-rector of Compliant Innovations Inc. in Sunnyvale, California, and also works as an independent contractor/consultant for strategic planning for medical device commercialization.

Stripe is a graduate of Ohio Northern University with a bach-elor’s degree in Marketing and an Honorary Bachelor of Sci-ence degree in Business Administration. He has also studied at Harvard University, Wharton School of Business, Boston University, and California State University.

Mark Green Joins Encompass as President

Mark Green joined Encompass in October of 2015 with over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, representing companies who sell through independent agencies. Mark began his career at Chubb Insurance Group as an underwriter in 1989. Over the years he honed his insurance ex-pertise working for American International

Group as a senior casualty underwriter, assistant vice presi-dent at Discover Reinsurance, key member of the Swiss Re American management team, and associate director of Swiss RE Alternative Risk Transfer Division. In 2002, Mark joined Chubb Financial Solutions Inc., and was vice president of fi-nancial products. In 2003, he went to Acordia/Wells Fargo leading their cross sell division, selling insurance products to bank clients.

Mark joined Encompass parent company Allstate in 2009, where he served as vice president of the Capital Region lead-ing growth and profitability in West Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia. In 2011 he was appointed President of Ivantage, Allstate’s wholly owned insurance broker divi-sion. And in 2014, his role was expanded to include Allstate Dealer Services (ADS), Allstate’s product offering to automo-bile dealer’s finance and insurance departments.


Green earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Communications from Macalester College and holds a Master of Business Ad-ministration from Columbia Business School.

J.M. Wilson Adds Russell; Promotes Stadler

J.M. Wilson has announced the addition of Alissa Russell as Surety Underwriter in their Carmel, Indiana office and the promotion of Phil Stadler as Senior System Administrator.

Alissa is responsible for underwriting new and renewal commercial and fidelity bonds for independent insurance agents in 31 states. Prior to joining J.M. Wilson, Alissa worked for an insurance company for six years where she held various posi-tions, including: Administrative Assistant, Commercial and Personal Lines Customer

Service Rep, and Bond Underwriting Assistant. Prior to that, she was a Licensing and Compliance Coordinator for one year. Alissa graduated from Vincennes University with an Associ-ates of Arts degree in American Sign Language.

Phil is responsible for maintaining and ad-ministering computer networks, working with consultants to ensure sufficient com-puting resources, researching and recom-mending changes to improve system and network configurations, and diagnosing, troubleshooting, and resolving hardware, software, or other network and system

problems in eight J.M. Wilson offices.

Phil began with J.M. Wilson in 2012 as IT Specialist. He is a Portage, Michigan resident and graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Infor-mation Systems and a minor in Business.

Nationwide Announces New Roles for Lewis and Schilling

Under the company’s unified Nationwide branding, new roles have been announced for Mike Lewis and Dan Schilling.

Mike Lewis, formerly the regional Sales Director leading Ohio and Tennessee, has been promoted to Associate Vice President of Sales. Mike has been with Nationwide for 15 years, with the majority of that time spent in sales leadership roles within independent agency regions. As Sales Director Mike did a fantastic job building a strong sales culture and strengthening relationships with our agency partners. With this promotion, Mike will have responsibility for regional sales strategies. The field sales teams in Ohio, Maryland, D.C., and Delaware will report directly to Mike, as will the inside sales team for the entire region.

Dan Schilling, formerly Field Sales Manager in Tennessee, has

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been appointed president of its Southeast Region, which includes Tennessee and five other states. Randle is based at the super-regional property/casualty insur-ance company’s corporate headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida, and reports to Jeff Kusch, Main Street America’s senior vice president/head of field operations.

Most recently, Randle was Main Street America’s director of distribution management, a role he assumed in May 2015. Randle joined Main Street America in 2008 as a surety devel-opment executive in its bonds operation and became a field marketing representative in its Southeast Region in 2010. Prior to joining Main Street America, Randle held various marketing and underwriting positions at Zurich Insurance Services.

Risk Innovations Joins Trusted Choice

Wholesale insurance broker Risk Innovations is the latest com-pany to join the Trusted Choice brand. “We are proud to sup-port The Trusted Choice brand and are excited to do what-ever we can to help further this important industry initiative. We feel it is vital to work collectively in an effort to maintain and ultimately expand the independent agent’s share of the national insurance market. The technological role that the TrustedChoice.com portal provides agencies is critical,” said Bruce Peddle, Risk Innovations Managing Partner. u

been promoted to Sales Director. With this promotion, the field sales teams in Tennessee and Virginia will report to Dan. Dan began his career with Nationwide in 2007 and has held positions in Claims, Commercial Underwriting, and Sales. As the Tennessee Sales Manager, Dan was named Nationwide’s 2014 Independent Distribution Sales Manager of the year. Dan will remain in Chattanooga, where he lives with his wife and their two children.

A.J. Gallagher Acquires North Alabama Ins.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has acquired North Alabama In-surance, Inc. (NAI) based in Florence, Alabama. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Established in 1982, NAI is a managing general agent and wholesale insurance broker which provides property/casualty, commercial auto/garage and other specialty insurance place-ments to their independent retail insurance broker clients throughout the south central United States. Joshua Blevins, John Speir and their associates will continue to operate from their current locations in Florence and Cabot, Arkansas, under the direction of Joel Cavaness, president of Risk Placement Services, Inc., another subsidiary of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Main Street Amer. Names Randle SE President

The Main Street America Group announced Dave Randle has

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Brandon Lee Adams, CISRFirst Volunteer Insurance - Jasper

Anna M. Anderson, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Knoxville

Daria Bankston, CISRInsurance Incorporated - Cleveland

Yolonda Beech, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Nashville

Emily Booher, CISRInsurance Incorporated - Cleveland

Kevin Bullock, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Nashville

Paula M. Centers, CISRTIS Insurance Services - Knoxville

Jennifer Leigh Chandler, CISRBB&T Insurance Services - CLJT&H - NashvilleJennifer is a Commercial Lines Account Man-ager for BB&T Insurance Services, and has over fifteen years of experience in the insurance in-dustry. She began in the bond department be-fore moving to commercial lines.

Paul B. Coons, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Nashville

Jeremy Cox, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Nashville

Cassandra Creson, CISRLester, Greene & McCord Insurance Agency - Tullahoma

Lily Crumley, CISRInsurance Incorporated - Cleveland

Amanda S. Davis, CISRSouthern Insurance Group, Inc. - McMinnville

Pamela C. DeWitt, CISREPG Insurance, Inc. - Memphis

Peggy Dickenson, CISRWidener Insurance Agency - Johnson City

Amy M. Dillon, CISRBB&T Legge Insurance - CookevilleAmy is the Assistant Agency Manager for BB&T Legge Insurance and has been in insurance for seventeen years. She attended school for den-tal assistance and business, and worked in den-

tistry for two years before moving to Tennessee. She began as a receptionist in the agency before working with the Vice President and then moving in to her administrative role.

Connie Marie Eadie, CISRBrown & Brown Insurance of Tennessee - Nashville

Laurie Michelle Farrow, CISRCRC Insurance Services, Inc. - NashvilleLaurie is an Internal Reviewer for CRC Insurance Services in the Southern Cross Underwriters division.

Christine E. Goodwin, CISRBB&T Huffaker & Trimble - Chattanooga

Stephie Gregg, CISRJenkins Insurance Agency - DandridgeStephie is a Personal Lines Account Manager for Price & Ramey Insurance of Dandridge, and has three years of industry experience. She graduated from Sevier County High School and worked for a timeshare resort for eighteen

years. After spending some time away from her career caring for family members, she started with the agency in 2012.

Lisa Heslep, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Nashville

Brandy Michelle Hicks, CISREmployers Insurance Group - Johnson CityBrandy is an Agent with Employers Insurance Group and has five years of experience in in-surance. She was a benefits administrator for a multi-state payroll company for 13 years before the company started an agency and she be-

came licensed.

Lacy Beth Hooten, CISRMichael Wealth Management Group - Lewisburg

Abigail Totty House, CISRThe Crichton Group - NashvilleAbigail is a Communications & Recruitment Specialist at The Crichton Group and has been in insurance for almost four years. She gradu-ated with honors from the University of Ten-nessee with a Bachelor of Science degree in

Communication and minors in business, journalism and psy-chology. In the past she worked as both an Assistant Account Manager and Risk Control Coordinator at the agency before her current role.

Robert James, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Nashville

Amy A. Johnson, CISRGeny Insurance Group LLC dba Dunn Insurance - ClarksvilleAmy is an Account Manager for Dun Insurance and has over

2015 National Alliance Conferees , continued from page 41


George Oswalt, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Nashville

Shannon Renee Pardue, CISRInsurance Incorporated - Cleveland

Catherine Ruth Posey, CISRClay & Land Insurance - Memphis

Janeary Smith, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Nashville

Baileigh C. Walker, CISRBoyle Insurance Agency, Inc. - MemphisBaliegh is a Commercial Lines CSR for Boyle In-surance and has three years of experience in the industry. She graduated from the University of Memphis is 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. She started

with Boyle in October of 2012 as a Personal Lines CSR and moved to Commercial Lines in January 2015. Baileigh is also a Board Member of the Insurors of Memphis.

Misty Ann Ward, CISRCarnal-Roberts Agency, Inc. - Lexington

Tracy Waaraniemi, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Nashville

Deana G. Weaver, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Nashville

Gary Wilson, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Nashville

Leah Wilson, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Nashville

Karla M. Wood, CISRPowell & Meadows Insurance Agency, Inc. - Lebanon

All the 2015 Conferees were honored at a luncheon ceremony in Nashville on Tuesday, November 17th. Fore more informa-tion on The National Alliance designation programs, please visit www.scic.com. For our 2016 schedule, or to register now, please visit www.insurors.org. u

six years of experience in the industry. She graduated with a Bachelor degree in Communications from the University of South Florida and worked for Lassiter-Ware Insurance in Cen-tral Florida as a producer and account manager before mov-ing to Tennessee in 2013.

Deborah Lane, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Nashville

Rhonda R. Leffew, CISRBB&T Huffaker & Trimble - ChattanoogaRhonda is a Commercial Lines Marketing Spe-cialist for BB&T and attended Tennessee Tech University and Chattanooga State prior to en-tering the insurance industry. She worked at US Insurance Group for 10 years as an insurance

account manager and marketing representative specializing in the trucking industry prior to moving to BB&T.

Brooke Lyon, CISRThe Yates Agency - Elizabethton

Carissa Magnusson, CISRWilliam Knight Insurance - KnoxvilleCarissa is a Personal Lines Account Manager for William Knight Insurance Agency and been in insurance for eight years. She graduated from Thomas Edison State College in 2004 and be-gan working in insurance after moving back to

Tennessee in 2007.

Baili Rae McDonald, CISRFrost Specialty, Inc. - Nashville

Angela M. Merritt, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Knoxville

Gina Morton, CISRThompson & Smith, LLC - JacksonGina is a Commercial Lines Account Manager for Thompson & Smith and has five and a half years in the industry. She started her career as an assistant customer service representative in 2010 after being a stay-at-home mother. After

obtaining her license in 2011 she worked her way into her current role.

Kristy Morgan, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Nashville

Brittany Nekayla Nelson, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Nashville

Brent Newsome, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Nashville

Cassandra Nichols, CISRWillis of Tennessee - Nashville

Some of the conferment attendees who received designations in 2015


Products underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies. Home Office: Columbus, OH 43215. Subject to underwriting guidelines, review, and approval. Products and discounts not available to all persons in all states. Not all Nationwide affiliated companies are mutual companies, and not all Nationwide members are insured by a mutual company. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle and Nationwide is on your side are services marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2015 NationwideNPO-0605AO (03/15)

We get you.We understand what independent agents want and we’re committed to giving you the tools you need to grow your independent agency.

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MeetingsAs 2015 Comes to A Close 2016 is Being Planned Southern Agents Conference 12/11-13

The Annual Southern Agents Conference (SAC) is a sounding board for Big ‘I’ leaders and Industry Partners (company/broker/vendor) in fourteen southeastern states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Washington, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.

The 2015 event will take place December 11-13 at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead in Atlanta. Find more information at www.southernagents.com.

Big “I” Winter Meeting January 6-10

The Big “I” 2016 Winter Meeting will be held January 6-10 at the Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Florida. The meeting features planning for the Association year, as well as meetings for InVEST, Best Practices, Trusted Choice, Government Affairs and more.

Get more information or register online now at http://www.independentagent.com/Events/WinterBoardMeeting/home.aspx

2016 Agency Growth Conference March 9-10

The Insurors 3rd Annual Growth Conference will be held March 9-10, 2016 at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Murfreesboro. The event will feature educational tracks for Young Agents, Growing Agencies and Errors & Omissions. Guest speakers are being finalized now and will be announced soon.

Get more information or register online at http://www.insurors.org/2260

Ole Miss Insurance Symposium March 23-24

The 2016 Ole Miss Insurance Symposium will take place March 23-24 at The Inn at Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi. The event will feature guest speakers Reid French, CEo of Applied Systems; Lisa Krouse, EVP/CHRO of FCCI; Mike LaRocco, President/CEO of State Auto and Insurors member Johnny Pitts, Chief Manager of Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance.

Get more information or register online now at http://www.olemissalumni.com/events u

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As summer winds to a close, we remember that some of the most damaging storms to affect our clients and our own firms occur as fall transitions into winter.

This time of year, ice storms, heavy rains, flu pandemics and dramatically colder temperatures are the biggest threats—and they can all lead to property damage, lost revenue, employee illness or injury and even business closures. These threats, coupled with a prediction of a strong El Niño continuing throughout the rest of the year, could pose an enhanced threat to areas not accustomed to such severe weather events.

In fact, Agility Recovery, Big “I”-endorsed provider of disaster recovery services, has a litany of case studies that emphasize the importance of preparedness this time of year. A few examples include an auto dealer whose roof collapsed from heavy rain; dozens of power generator recoveries from early winter ice storms; and a number of flooding recoveries due to torrential downpours in drought-stricken areas like the Southwest.

Expert Advice on Preparing for Severe Winter WeatherFrom Big “I” Partner Agility Recovery

Member Tips

These stories serve as a reminder that in order to not only minimize the damage and time it takes to recover from storms this time of year but also ensure you can serve your clients, developing a plan of action for your firm and staff is a good idea. Take the time now to determine how and where your staff can continue operations, how you will power your firm should the utilities be cut off and how you will communicate with employees and clients should the worst occur.

This is an excellent time of year to provide your clients with a few disaster planning tools that can benefit both you and your insureds. Below are a few of the assets Agility recommends all insurance firms and their clients review and work to implement in their organizations. Many of the elements that constitute a resilient disaster strategy need not require a great deal of time and investment, but can potentially save your organization from the next disaster event.

Find tools and more information online at http://www.agilityrecovery.com/ u

2016 OLE MISSINSURANCE SYMPOSIUMMarch 23-24 · The Inn at Ole Miss

CONFIRMED SPEAKERSReid French

CEO, Applied Systems, Inc.

Kimberly HannaCOO and EVP, AIG Environmental

Lisa KrouseEVP and Chief HR Offi cer, FCCI

Mike LaRoccoPresident and CEO, State Auto

Peter LefkinSVP of Government and External Affairs

Allianz of America

Johnny PittsChief Manager,

Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance

Eugene StarksPartner,

Benefi ts Administration Services, Ltd

The Honorable Roger WickerU. S. Senator from Mississippi

Joel WoodSVP of Government Affairs,

The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers

CE CREDIT

LA, MS, TN

ACUITY (920) 458 - 9131 www.acuity.com 22Allstar Financial Group (877) 950 - 3222 www.allstarfg.com 37Amerisafe (800) 897 - 9719 www.amerisafe.com 17AmTrust North America (877) 528 - 7878 www.amtrustnorthamerica.com 24Applied Underwriters (877) 234 - 4450 www.auw.com/us 2Arlington/Roe & Co. (800) 878 - 9891 www.arlingtonroe.com 15Atlas General Insurance Services (855) 309 - 3310 atlas.us.com 44Auto-Owners Insurance (615) 373 - 5200 www.auto-owners.com 55Bailey Special Risks, Inc. (800) 768 - 7475 www.bsrins.com 17Berkley Southeast Insurance Group (615) 932 - 5508 www.berkleysig.com 16,19Berkshire Hathaway Guard Insurance Cos. (800) 673 - 2465 x4567 www.guard.com/apply 41Brentwood Services Administrators (800) 524 - 0604 www.bwood.com 26Builders Mutual (800) 809 - 4859 www.buildersmutual.com 20Burns & Wilcox (800) 341 - 4844 www.burnsandwilcox.com 30CNA Insurance (800) 251 - 5852 www.cna.com 45Consumers Insurance (615) 896 - 6133 www.ciusa.com 52Donegal Insurance Group (800) 277 - 7442 www.donegalgroup.com 7EMC Insurance (800) 239 - 2005 www.emcins.com 36FCCI Insurance Group (800) 226 - 3224 www.fcci-group.com 13Harford Mutual (800) 638 - 3669 www.harfordmutual.com 31Heartland Ovation Payroll (901) 598 - 4829 www.ovationpayroll.com 20INSBANK (866) 866 - 4268 www.insbanktn.com 11J.M. Wilson (800) 595 - 0063 www.jmwilson.com 42Johnson & Johnson (931) 704 - 0810 www.jjins.com 28-29Keystone Insurers Group (800) 416 - 5498 www.keystoneinsgrp.com 40National Security Group (800) 239 - 2358 x267 www.nationalsecuritygroup.com 46Nationwide (614) 948 - 4107 www.nationwide.com 50North Alabama Insurance (800) 824 - 1740 www.nai1982.com 16Ole Miss Insurance Symposium (662) 915 - 2830 www.olemissalumni.com/events 53Penn National Insurance (800) 395 - 0518 www.pennnationalinsurance.com 56Preferred Comp/Meadowbrook (800) 755 - 8090 www.meadowbrook.com 51 Preferred Property Programs (888) 549 - 2465 www.umbrellaprogram.com 42Risk Innovations (800) 913 - 6696 www.riskinnovations.com/tni 32Safeco Insurance (800) 332 - 3226 www.safeconow.com 38Securerisk (770) 723 - 8096 www.securerisk.com 34South & Western (800) 492 - 5351 www.southandwestern.com 33Southern Cross Underwriters (800) 682 - 5263 www.scui.com 20Southern Insurance Underwriters (800) 568 - 1700 www.siuins.com 47Summit Holdings (800) 971 - 2667 www.summitholdings.com 26

Directory of Advertisers Advertiser Phone Website Page

register now at iiaba.net

BIG “I” WINTER MEETING 2016JANUARY 6-10 | ORLANDO

Thank you, agents.

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system and proudly standing behind

the agents who represent us. We

would like to thank you for your

continued loyalty, which has helped

us achieve tremendous growth and

accomplishments over the years.

2500 21st Avenue South Suite 200Nashville, TN 37212

We look for the best independent

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