From the BIG Desk

In my final article as President, I want to first say thank you to my Family, Staff, Board of Directors, Association & Industry Partners, and of course to you, our loyal policyholders, for being part of this 36-year journey. My parents made me the person I am today; I learned from their example of working hard every day, never using excuses to not show up for work, and appreciating having a job and making a living.

As I reflect back to the beginning, in 1986 I was first hired by the North Carolina Forestry Associations Self Insurer Fund as a Field Representative, and I recall thinking that was the best job I could ever have. In 1988 I transitioned into a new role when the Fund took control over Underwriting & Billings. After Hurricane Hugo in 1989, the rates increased to $43.50 per hundred payroll dollars; the Fund was growing and could give back huge dividends during this time. However, as the years went on, things changed. North Carolina became a loss-cost state resulting in the entry of several standard carriers, which cut our membership in half as the Fund struggled to compete with the discounts they could offer.

In 1997 I was appointed as the new Executive Director. In 1999 we converted the Fund into a Mutual, and in 2000 we officially became Forestry Mutual Insurance Company, allowing us to offer the same discounts as other carriers and expand our reach across state lines for the first time. Since then, we have continued growing and serving policyholders in six states in the southeastern United States.

One of my proudest accomplishments was the establishment of FMIC Insurance Agency, which has allowed us to offer other lines of coverage. The Agency has had great success and is approaching a $30 million book of business. Loss Control has been our cornerstone throughout the years through our boots-on-the-ground approach to focusing on education and training for proactive safety & risk awareness rather than reactive measures. While we are an insurance carrier, our policyholders are truly our friends and an extension of our FMIC family; our goal is to have everyone return home safely each day.

Our staff at Forestry Mutual is largely to thank for our continued growth. The employees here genuinely care about the future and success of our company, and beyond that, they care for the Forestry Products Industry as a whole.

None of these things could have been accomplished without the support of our Board of Directors, and I have been blessed to work with two excellent Chairmen over the years. First was Mr. George Pace, whom I owe a lot for helping me grow as a leader and an individual. When Mr. Pace stepped down as Chairman, Mr. Michael Walters, our current Chairman, took his position. Mr. Walters and I communicate often, and he has also helped FMIC, and I grow as his business savvy is second to none.

As I step into retirement, I am confident Forestry Mutual is positioned to move forward in the future. I am proud of what we have accomplished, and I know the tradition will continue.

The one thing I will miss more than anything is the relationships I have had the privilege of making over the last 36 years. Thank you again to everyone along the way for making this a great career for my family and me.

Sincerely,

Keith Biggs President, Forestry Mutual Insurance Company

Keith Biggs President, Forestry Mutual Insurance Company