HIN 2022-2023 3rd Edition

2022 - 2023

HIN

3RD EDITION

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Charitable Committee COMMITEE SPOTLIGHT

WHAT WE DO: Raise Funds to be donated to Houston area Charities Select local charities to receive funds Organize and host charitable events Support the Houston Fire Department

Welcome The Charitable Projects Committee’s main function is to raise funds to be donated to local Houston area charities. The committee also supports the Houston Fire Department and promotes fire prevention in local schools. Throughout the year the committee organizes and hosts many memorable functions including One Pot Cook Off, Charity Benefit Crawfish Boil, Charity Bowling tournament, Firefighter of the Year Awards Luncheon, and the Fire Poster Contest. New committee members with a heart for charity and an enthusiastic attitude are always a welcome addition! The Committee selected three charities to receive funds from this year’s charitable activities. The organizations are: The Brookwood Community, Texas Association of First Responders, and Mission K-9 Rescue. The fundraising event upcoming in 2023 is the Charity “Hero” Bowl. The committees are determined to find creative ways to hold successful events to benefit these outstanding and deserving organizations.

MEETING DETAILS

WHEN: Monthly @ 8:30 AM WHERE: IIAH Offices 3 rd Floor Conference Room EMAIL: ayla@iiah.org

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2022 - 2023

HIN

3RD EDITION

CHARITY CRAWFISH BOIL

22 - 30

APRIL LUNCHEON

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HAVE YOU HEARD?

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CONTENTS 03 COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT 05 EVENTS & EDUCATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MESSAGE 07 AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT 13 14-16 CPCU UPDATE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 18

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COVERAGE SPOTLIGHT 21 Legislative Update 31 32-33 IMPACT IN MEMORIAM 38 WHO HAS THE LAST WORD 40

EVENTS 1.

Spring Golf Classic

May 23

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Bowl 2. Charity Hero th July 8

Lunch & Learn Webinar’s- Taking Your Influence to the Next Level th May 4

EDUCATION

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COMMITTEES are what breaths life into our association. With 9 active committees there are at least 100 people actively serving the association with their unique skills. We are always looking to put your skills to use to further drive the association’s mission forward. No matter what your skills are, or what you are passionate about, we likely have something of interest to you. The end result is to better the industry we all serve. Join a Committee today and become part of the mission.

2022 - 2023 Charitable Projects/ Fire Prevention Chairman: Tasha Stolte Vice Chairman: Sarah Beck Education, I.T., CE Chairman: Michelle Dennis Vice Chairman: Katrina Masek Houston Insurance Day Chairman: Ashley Newton Vice Chairman: Nancy Euginio Legislative Chairman: Kyle Dean Vice Chairman: Mickie Comiskey IMPACT Chairman: Mickie Comiskey Membership Chairman: Jane Rhode Recreation Chairman: Amber Stevenson Vice Chairman: Carisa Cole Young Insurance Professionals Chairman: Derek Pierce Vice Chairman: Grant Pierce PR/Media Matters Chairman: Scott West Social Media Chairman: Daphne Clark Vice Chariman: Cassie Shanks Houston Insurance News Chairman: Amy Weimer Vice Chairman: Cassie Shanks

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April 28, 2023

Spring is here and just like the bluebonnets; we are in full bloom at IIAH! With another very successful Houston Insurance Day behind us, we are already planning for next year! The annual Charity Crawfish Boil was another great event and thanks to all of the folks that came out on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to enjoy all of the festivities! Next up is our Annual Golf Tournament at Blackhorse in May. If you haven’t already signed up, please do so and come join in all of the fun! It is always one of the most fun days of the year for us.

Thanks to all of you who were able to make our Strategic Planning session at the end of March. Thanks again to Texas Mutual for hosting our meeting and to Marit Peters, head of IIAT for leading us in a lively discussion. We will build off of our ideas and come up with a plan of action for the next 5 to 10 years for IIAH. More to come on this and we will be sure to share with you. If you were not able to attend and have thoughts about the direction of your association, please give me a call!

Our planning for the IIAH Centennial year is well underway. Our three co-chairs have some very exciting and interesting events planned for you. We will be partnering with IICF on our Centennial events, so we will need your support to celebrate this big event. Much more to come, but I promise that we will have a wonderful time at each of the events.

Hope to see each of you soon!

David Wuthrich IIAH Executive Director

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ANNUAL SPONSORS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Titanium Elite Sponsors

Jason Nybakken

President

Adam Harris

President Elect

Jason Knecht

Vice President

Susan Zipperer

Treasurer

Platinum Partners for Excellence

Jesse Sanchez

Treasurer

RT Specialty

David Wuthrich

Executive Director

Texas Mutual Insurance

Jim Drew

Past President

Imperial PFS Burns & Wilcox, Ltd. CRC Group Southwest Adjusters

UFG Insurance Company WSG Specialty Underwriters

Gold Patron Sponsors Chubb

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CNA Insurance Companies Jencap | Delta General Agency

Ryan Beavers

Sarah Beck

Kevin Comiskey

John Collado

Travelers

Laurie Dempsey

Tom Fitzpatrick

WRIGHT Flood

Matt Leicht

A Division of Jencap

Tony May

William Peachey

NEW MEMBERS New Agency Member: -Avalon Insurance Agency -F&M Insurance Services

New Affiliate Members: -All Dry Services North Houston

Wes Weatherred

STAFF David Wuthrich

Executive Director

Renee Stager

Sr. Managing Director

Ayla Benavides

Managing Director

Deb McRae

Advertising/Membership

7700 San Felipe, Suite 310 Houston, Texas 77063 : www.iiah.org P: 832. 769.4666 F: 832.324.3503

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Brookwood Community is a God-centered educational, residential, and entrepreneurial community for adults with disabilities. Through the Grace of God, Brookwood Community provides an educational environment that creates meaningful jobs, builds a sense of belonging, and demands dignity and respect for adults with disabilities.

Its purpose is to provide opportunity through education so that Brookwood citizens will: -Acquire meaningful job skills and hold real jobs in the Community’s own business enterprises -Experience the pride that accompanies the ability to contribute to one’s own support -Grow socially, emotionally, and spiritually

One of our charitable benefactors

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AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT Craig & Leicht is proud to join forces with XPT Specialty, an expert in the commercial wholesaler industry! Craig & Leicht’s dedicated team remains in the same Houston location, but now they are armed with an even wider selection of top-notch products and services that clients have come to expect. With the addition of Craig & Leicht to the XPT team, amazing things are on their way!

Their passion and expertise bring an extra edge that will take the ambitious XPT’s plans for growth and quality prioritization to a new level. Through hard work and customer-focused support Craig & Leicht have been able to break beyond Texas’ borders with impressive results.

Karen Morgan Marketing Specialist 713-955-2130 - Main Line 346-787-2589 - Direct Line Karen.Morgan@craigandleicht.com

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Houston Chapter April 2023 – May 2023

Partner Tamara Bruno leads the Texas section of Pillsbury’s Insurance Recovery & Advisory practice.

She advises companies and institutional policyholders on complex and cutting-edge issues involving insurance and risk, and represents clients in high-stakes litigation involving insurance coverage disputes. Her primary focus, specialized insurance coverages, including directors & officers’ liability, cyber, commercial crime and professional liability insurance, was the topic of her presentation on 2/28/23 to the Houston chapter of CPCU.

March featured Houston’s annual Joint CPCU/RIMS meeting, hosted by the Houston CPCU chapter with over 60 attendees. Jennifer Gibbs, a Zelle, LLP partner with over twenty-years’ experience in the insurance industry, gave an in-depth presentation on Ethical Considerations for Adjusters When Handling First Party Claims, which was approved by TDI for one hour of ethics CE. Jennifer provided a brief but thought-provoking test of common ethical challenges encountered by insurance professionals. It was interesting that most attendees were unaware that insurance professionals are required to report any unethical practices by colleagues to the Texas Insurance Department. This is a critical part of the professionalism that the insurance industry, and in particular the CPCU Society, has worked to establish, and along with continuing education, and business professionalism, the promotion of ethical behavior within the industry has been significant in transitioning the industry from a trade to a recognized profession in the past several decades.

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May

Kevin Jones/ Jo Mather Texas Captive Insurance Association Tues. 5/16/23 BraeBurn Country Club 8101 Bissonnet Street jo.mather@p66.com Kevin.Jones@chevron.com Register: https://houston.cpcusociety.org

Kevin Jones, President of Texas Captive Insurance Association, is Director, Risk Management in Chevron Corporation’s Insurance Division. In the insurance and risk management field since 1990 , he joined Chevron in 2000 , and works on strategy and placement of global property and casualty insurance programs and construction insurance for major capital projects. He has extensive experience in the formation and management of captive insurance companies in Vermont, Texas and Bermuda.

Jo Mather, Vice President of Texas Captive Insurance Association is Director of Captives for Phillips 66 and is responsible for administering Phillips 66’s three captive insurance companies: Spirit Insurance, Radius Insurance and SHC Insurance. Jo has more than 25 years of insurance experience working with global insurance brokers, captive managers and insurers before moving into risk management. She joined Phillips 66 in 2011 in the UK and transferred to their Houston headquarters in 2017. Jo has a BA (Hons) in Risk Management from Glasgow Caledonian University and is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute and Certified Member of the Institute of Risk Management (CMIRM).

In 2007, Houston insurance practitioners in agencies and brokerages formed a coalition and raised funds to create the University of Houston-Downtown Bachelor of Business Administration degree program in insurance and risk management. Launched in 2009, the program offers a curriculum focused on Houston’s unique need for new talent in its property and casualty industries, including oil and gas, commercial real estate development, the hospitality and entertainment industry, the Houston Medical Center and other property/ casualty insureds. UH-D stands alone among the approximate 120 worldwide insurance undergraduate degree programs, including an estimated 80 in the US, by offering five of the eight program courses required for the CPCU designation. The program and its students are supported by program grants and academic scholarships awarded by the Texas Insurance Education Foundation, a Houston-based non-profit founded to support Texas higher education in insurance. Since 2015, the Houston CPCU chapter has offered free admission to UH-D’s students to its luncheon meetings, creating an environment where hiring managers and industry careerseekers can meet and learn about one another and discover mutual opportunities to fill Houston’s capacious need for qualified new insurance talent. Led since 2017 by Director Priscilla Oehlert, CRM, whose background as a risk manager with global companies and nationwide experience and reputation teaching industry professionals with the esteemed National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research provides gravitas to the program which offers flexible course modes to UH-D’s more mature student body, which averages 29 years in age and includes a very diverse cultural heritage. Graduates from the program have enjoyed career success in positions with Houston agencies and carriers as well as throughout Texas and the nation.

University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business risk management and insurance (RMI) program enables students to earn either a minor or a certificate in risk management and insurance. The RMI program is part of the Finance Department and course offerings include ten risk management, property & casualty, and life & health courses. Three experienced industry professionals teach these courses and provide valuable practical knowledge to students interested in working in the insurance industry and/or pursuing careers in finance.

Most of the courses are presented in person with some offered in a synchronous online setting. Several courses are based on the Institutes’ CPCU and ARM programs. Many of our RMI graduates obtain jobs in the insurance industry on the carrier and brokerage side while others enter corporate risk management departments. Most RMI students are members of Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS), an international risk management student organization, that hosts numerous events during the semester with the insurance industry.

Go to: https://www.cpcusociety.org/Public/Membership/Join_Renew/Public/Membership/Join_Renew.aspx?hkey=b3555150-eab0-4cdb-93c5-273c2df0013e to join the CPCU Society.

By joining the Society, you will automatically be referred to your local chapter, which you can also join to be included on their mailing list and receive the benefits of attending monthly meetings which offer Continuing Education (CE) credits toward licensing requirements, networking opportunities as well as valuable information, resources and fun social events with industry professionals in the Houston area, which are free to members who pay annual chapter dues, which are Professional Members & Academic $150; Pathways & Post Career $75; Students Free.

Jason Nybakken

JasonNybakken@ibc.com 832-326-8807

Hello Everyone!

May is already here and it seems that this year is going very quickly! I know I have been very busy with this hectic insurance market and I imagine you have been as well.

Back in March we were fortunate to have several key stakeholders attend a strategic planning meeting to evaluate the current state of the association and help shape the future of IIAH. I want to thank our executive director David Wuthrich and IIAT President Marit Peters for spearheading such a productive meeting.

This process will continue throughout the year and we look forward to some new and exciting changes in the near future.

Our Spring Golf Classic will take place at Blackhorse Golf Club on May 23 rd . Don’t forget to sign up your team and get your tickets for the ball drop, even if you don’t plan to golf. Go to our website for more info.

Finally I wanted to express my appreciation to all of our members and affiliates for their involvement on committees and attendance at our many great events. I’m truly honored to be the president of such a great organization.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Jason Nybakken

IIAH President 2022-2023

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TAKE POLL

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COVERAGE SPOTLIGHT Q: An insured is a commercial campground with a commercial general liability policy, under the class code “Campgrounds – Code 10331.” If someone gets burned by one of the campfires, is that covered?

Response 1: First of all, it’s impossible to answer a hypothetical claim question because you need to know all of the facts and circumstances. Second, you need to be very specific. For instance, “someone” could be a criminal trespasser, a campground employee, an owner, or a customer. The answer will differ depending on which it is. Similarly, “is that covered” leaves room for doubt. Do you mean, “Will the claim be paid?” “Will the policy respond with a defense?” “Are there any exclusions?”

Assuming that you’re asking about a customer being injured by a campfire and suing the insured for bodily injury, barring any other details that might engage an exclusion, an unendorsed CGL should provide a defense and, if the court rules for the injured person, payment would be covered too.

Response 2: As you are aware, the CGL policy requires the insured to be legally obligated to pay. Perhaps a more important question for the insured to ask is: “If someone gets burned by a campfire at my location and I am sued, will my policy defend me?” There is no specific exclusion related to someone being injured by a fire at the campgrounds.

So, liability coverage will apply, subject to other policy terms and conditions. However, unless the detailed specifics of a claim are known, it is impossible to absolutely state whether it is covered.

Response 3: The intent of a campground is to expose campers to a variety of “camping” experiences, including campfires. Unless an employee pushed a camper into the campfire, this is a normal type of activity a CGL policy for a campground should cover.

Here is the definition of bodily injury in the ISO CGL form: “‘Bodily injury’ means bodily injury, sickness or disease sustained by a person, including death resulting from any of these at any time.”

I can’t see any reason a camper’s injury from a campfire would not be a typical exposure anticipated by the insurer given the class code and therefore covered. However, if the camper fell off a horse and into a campfire, that would be a different matter due to the saddle-horse exclusion.

Response 4: If the insured is legally responsible for bodily injury or property damage arising out of an occurrence in the coverage territory and policy period—and there is not an exclusion—then there would be coverage. Of course, it’s always dangerous to answer hypothetical questions, because the carrier would have to investigate the loss and there might be factors that could preclude coverage.

Response 5: First, there would need to be bodily injury, Then, the insured would need to be found liable for that injury.

Exclusions, if any, would apply. Absent any exclusions, or other conditions or definitions that might limit coverage, there should be coverage assuming the aggregate limit of $1 million is not exhausted.

A risk manager might propose that warnings be posted in the campgrounds to suggest that campers do not start fires with gasoline, ether, napalm, white phosphorus, metallic magnesium shavings, or any of a host of aggressively burning or explosive compounds.

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Thank you so much to everyone who attended, donated, or sponsored our Annual Charity Benefit Crawfish Boil on April 01, 2023, at The Powder Keg. What a beautiful day enjoying delicious food, great company and raising funds for our beneficiaries The Brookwood Community, Mission K9 Rescue and Texas Association of First Responders. Shoutout to our crawfish vendor Clutch City Crawfish, our members we’re so excited to have you back again this year.

A huge Thank you to our Sponsors.

Craig & Leicht Vintage Underwriters Chubb USI Insurance Services EFG Insurance Agency HUB International First Insurance Funding Corp National Partners Premium Finance Co. TDECU

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Legislative Update

Small Businesses Face Higher Taxes in President Biden’s FY2024 Budget Late last week, President Joe Biden released his FY2024 budget, which includes several proposals that could have significant effects on independent insurance agents.Biden’s budget, which continues efforts to increase taxes on individually and family-owned businesses, will be strongly opposed by congressional Republicans.

Presidential budgets are non-binding and generally act as a roadmap for what priorities presidents would like to see Congress act on. Still, the more than $4 trillion in tax hikes this budget proposes would dangerously target businesses responsible for most of the jobs and growth in this country, including many Big “I” members.

The proposed tax hikes would significantly impact a business’s ability to hire new employees, offer better benefits, and invest in the equipment and technology necessary to sustain operations and future growth.

Specifically, the budget contains numerous provisions detrimental to Big “I” members. The budget would reverse the Trump-era tax cuts on those making more than $400,000 and return the top tax rate to 39.6%. For some taxpayers, it would double the capital gains tax rate.

Furthermore, the plan would raise the corporate tax rate to 28%, up from the current rate of 21%. The budget also increases the Medicare tax on earned and unearned income above $400,000 from 3.8% to 5%. The White House argues that tax increases are necessary to address projected deficit totals over the next decade. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects a $1.4 trillion deficit in fiscal year 2023, and an average deficit of $2 trillion per year from 2024 to 2033.

Republicans in Congress argue that that these deficit forecasts are the result of a spending problem, not a revenue shortage. That argument has some merit, according to CBO numbers, which report that federal tax collections were nearly $5 trillion last year, a record high and a 47% increase from when the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was enacted in 2017. Taxes paid by individuals and pass-through businesses reached a record $2.6 trillion in 2022 and represented their largest share of total taxes paid in any year since the TCJA was passed.

The Big “I” strongly opposes the president’s budget and has signed onto a joint trade letter with over 60 organizations expressing opposition.

In addition, the Big “I” supports legislation that would make the 20% small business deduction (Section 199A) passed as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act permanent. The deduction, which is scheduled to expire at the end of 2025, is heavily relied upon by many Big “I” members and their clients to expand their small businesses, hire more employees, and better serve their communities.

Also, pass-through entities have factored this deduction into their operations so its expiration would result in a tax increase on many small businesses and create an unlevel playing field, putting pass-throughs at a disadvantage to those filing taxes at the corporate rate.

Tax reform is one of several important items on the agenda at the Big “I” Legislative Conference, taking place April 26-28 at the Renaissance Washington, D.C. Downtown Hotel. Visit the dedicated Legislative Conference webpage to register, view more information about the Conference and see the full schedule of events.

As Congress continues to review the president’s budget and related legislation, the Big “I” will continue to advocate for independent insurance agents and provide updates through the News & Views e-newsletter.

What is a Political Action Committee?

A political action committee or PAC is a group that is formed to give money to the political campaigns of people who are likely to make decisions that would benefit the group's interests.

Why should I support IMPACT? We cannot afford to ignore government decisions that have profound effects on the independent agency system in Texas. Your contributions and participation in the political process are needed to ensure IIAT members continue to compete, innovate, and grow.

IMPACT funds help support pro-business candidates and elected officials who understand the importance of a vibrant independent insurance agency system in Texas. IMPACT’s strong reputation helps IIAT form productive relationships with state legislators who support the interests ofindependent agents.

What does IMPACT do?

IMPACT is your vehicle for political success as an independent agent. IMPACT collects voluntary contributions from independent insurance agency principals, producers, customer service reps and other staff members across the state. These funds are pooled and contributed on a nonpartisan basis to candidates for public office who support the interests of independent insurance agents and the insur-

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD 32

Facts about IMPACT -All fundraising efforts throughout the state are administered by the IMPACT Board, IIAT governmental affairs staff and IMPACT Regional Vice Presidents.

-Funds are disbursed on a nonpartisan basis to both Democrats and Republicans and are based on issues that promote IIAT’s legislative agenda.

-IMPACT is one of the largest trade association PACs in Texas.

Does IMPACT buy votes?

No. Candidates and public officials are honorable people whose votes are not for sale. But by helping elect business-minded public policy decisionmakers, IMPACT assures independent insurance agents the opportunity to present our views and be heard.IMPACT fully complies with all state and federal election law.

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April Luncheon The April luncheon of the IIAH was one that you should not have missed! Ryan Dumais, Chief of Staff for Dick Weekley was our guest speaker. He also heads up Texans for Lawsuit Reform, which is a large PAC that promotes pro-business policies. Ryan talked about all of the areas in which TLR has participated in the past twenty years and how that has affected our everyday lives. He also talked about why lawsuit reform is so important and what it means to the Insurance Industry. The latest work has been dealing with the trucking industry and making sure that the trucking industry is able to get affordable insurance.

Regan Ellmer, director of Government Affairs for IIAT also talked about how the IIAT PAC fits into what Ryan is doing at the Capital. He urged everyone to donate, not just the principals of the agencies. These issues affect each and every one of us in the Industry, any donation makes a difference. So, see the QR code here and please donate. Every $10 donation adds up! The IIAT staff has already made their donation! Please join us in this effort. Thanks, and for the first time in a few years, let’s raise more money than our counterparts in Dallas for the IIAT PAC!!!!!

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YOU E V HA HEARD?

Hotchkiss Insurance announces their charitable arm, Hotchkiss Helps as an official 501(c)3.

Hotchkiss Insurance is excited to announce the official charitable organization created to exemplify the culture of service to their clients and community, Hotchkiss Helps, has been awarded 501(c)3 tax-exempt status.As showcased on KHOU-TV’s ‘Great Day Houston,’ Mike Hotchkiss explains “Being in insurance, we understand that things ultimately go wrong but we do what we do to provide protection in a broken world. What we do protects families and businesses and allows them to know that if something happens, they’ll be okay. One further step into helping others achieve their goals are to assist our local communities in any way, charity included.”

Since 2016, Hotchkiss Helps has been thankful to have cooked and served thousands of meals at a yearly Thanksgiving lunch for the military, sorted and organized clothing and school supply drives, served meals to Hurricane Harvey relief workers, met the needs of various women’s shelters and foster care programs across the state, and raised over $200,000 for various organizations in Texas.

Hotchkiss Helps is excited to continue these efforts as they expand. This years partnered organization for the Hotchkiss Helps annual charity golf tournament taking place on March 27, 2023 is HomeAid Houston.

Being involved in the home building industry for over 48 years, Hotchkiss Helps goal in partnering with HomeAid Houston is to continue to align with communities in similar industries who are making an impact locally. The HomeAid mission provides services that help residents move toward self-sufficiency like job skills training, transitional shelters and physical and emotional support. The HomeAid team pairs people with builders, remodelers, vendors and suppliers who donate their time, materials and labor to help build hope.

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Congrats Newly Weds!

Together with family and friends, Ms. Shelby Stager, Higginbotham Insurance Services, & Mr., Micheal Hibbard exchanged wedding vows on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at Peach Creek Ranch in College Station, Texas. Congratulations to the newlyweds!

Craig & Leicht sponsored the team for Crawl for Cancer!

Crawl for Cancer™ is an organization driven to plan and host fundraising events that support lifesaving research and those affected by cancer.Crawl for Cancer™ was started by a group of friends who wanted to have fun while raising money for a good cause. Although the Crawl has changed since its inception, the heart of the idea behind the event remains to celebrate survivorship, remember those we’ve lost and push towards a cure.

We each have a different story as to why we Crawl for Cancer™, but each story always comes back to this: More funding is needed to find a cure. It’s because of this drive from our volunteers and supporters that we now have over twenty Crawls across the nation that help raise money for national and local philanthropies dedicated to fighting cancer.

IN MEMORIAM

Samuel Gerard “Sammy” Romano, Sr. 1965 - 2023 Samuel “Sammy” Gerard Romano, Sr. passed away peacefully on April 14, 2023, after a long battle with cancer. Sammy was born on March 30, 1965 in Houston, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Ann Cutrupia Romano and Noxie M. Romano, Jr., sister in law Vangie Salazar Romano, brother in law Dan Johnson and nephew Benjamin Romano.

Sammy is survived by his wife of 39 years, Lisa Brooks Romano and sons Samuel G. Romano, Jr. and his wife Nicki, Nickolas Romano and Shirlin Christenson, Matthew Romano and his wife Megan and grandchildren that he adored, Natalie Romano, Samuel Romano III, Sophia Romano and Melanie Romano. He is survived by seven siblings, Anthony Romano, Sr and his wife Toni, Noxie Romano, III and his wife Janet, John J. Romano, Sr., Mary Wojtasczyk and her husband Billy, Ann Nye and her husband Don, Diana Wong and her husband Gordon and Louis Romano, Sr. and his wife Becky. He is also survived by his mother in law Lucille Bonora Brooks and grandmother in law Laverne Webb Bonora as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, family, extended family and friends.

Sammy, a devout Catholic, attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and School and graduated in 1983 from St. Thomas High School. Shortly after he began cutting trees and landscaping which became one of his many passions. While attending a school dance at St. Pius X High School he met the love of his life Lisa and they were married in 1984. In 1987 he joined Southwest Lincoln Mercury as a salesman eventually moving to the service department. In 2011 he moved to West Point Lincoln where he transitioned to Service Manager at West Point Lincoln in Sugar Land.

Sammy had many passions and most of them included spending time outdoors. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and guided goose and duck hunts with Butch Waggoner for 40 years. When he wasn’t hunting or getting ready to go hunting he was fishing. Sammy loved to work in the yard either his or anyone who would let him work in theirs.

Sammy was a family man and great Poppa to his grandchildren. He spent a lot of time taking them hunting, fishing and working in the garden. They loved to have sleepovers and then go to eat breakfast at Jackie’s Kitchen after church. He was grateful and blessed to have met and held his newest granddaughter, Melanie.

Sammy’s colleagues, customers and their families became lifelong friends. He never met a stranger, was always smiling and making new friends. If you ever spent time with Sammy you would understand - he seemed to know someone wherever he went and always had a joke to tell.

The family wishes to thank his West Point Lincoln family for their love and support over the years. We also want to thank the doctors and nurses at MD Anderson for the incredible care they provided.

THE WHO HAS..

HAS LAST WORD Adam Harris Where do you work?

Acrisure, LLC What sound do you love?

Thunder & rain at night when falling asleep If you could paint a picture of any scenery you’ve seen before, what would you paint?

Mountain ranges in Southwest Colorado around Telluride What was the first thing you bought with your own money?

Probably one of the Tony Hawk Pro Skater games.

If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?

Haven’t gotten there yet and each year brings something new. Maybe I’ll know 30 years What did you do growing up that got you into trouble?

Me and some friends were always trying to make people laugh in school, so “entertaining” would be the answer.

What is something you learned in the last week?

Staying out after midnight isn’t as easy (or fun) as it used to be.

Weirdest thing you have ever eaten?

Sea Urchin

What is your pet peeve in traffic?

People on their phones when a light turns green.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I do an excellent impression of Smeagol/ Gollum from The Lord of the Rings movies.

What is your favorite flavor of jellybeans?

Strawberry What is your LEAST favorite electronic device?

Other people’s phones when they’re staring at them when the light turns green.

What is the longest car trip you have ever taken?

In college, I drove from Waco, TX to Panama City Beach, FL for Spring Break in one sitting.

Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?

Yes Ninjas or pirates?

Pirates What was your favorite childhood television program?

Rugrats Are you a collector of anything?

I’m working to collect memorabilia related to my favorite media franchises. Whether it be video games, music, movies or TV, I need to fill out my “man cave” with all my best memories.

At a movie theater, which arm rest is yours?

I share the one between me and my wife and cross my fingers no one sits on the other side of me.

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