POLICY MAGAZINE - Fall 2026 by BIGiOK

FALL 2026

Connected, Committed and Ready to Serve. Meet New BIGiOK’s Chairman of the Board: Scott Dull

EVERY STEP OF THE WAY Step by step, shot by shot, decision by decision. Behind every successful agent is a workers’ compensation partner they can trust completely.

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FALL 2026 | VOL. 85 NO. 43

EDITORIAL STAFF Publisher

Denise Johnson, AAI, AAI-M, CISR, CIC

COVER

COLUMNS

22 Connected, Committed and Ready to Serve

4 Reflections on a Hot Summer and Equally Hotly Contested Run-off Elections

Managing Editor

FEATURES

Graphic Designer

16 New Voices at the Table

Jerri Culpepper Denise Canon PROFESSIONAL STAFF President/Chief Executive Officer

Denise Johnson, AAI, AAI-M, CISR, CIC Chief of Staff and Operations

Josh Reasnor, MSSL, CISR, CKC Workers’ Compensation Account Manager

Jeanette Madrid

22 Connected, Committed and Ready to Serve 27 Young Agents Singo Event

Director of Member Services

Shania Slavick

Director of Marketing and Communications

Denise Johnson, AAI, AAI-M, CISR, CIC

7 The Power of Synergy: How Collaborative Effort Is Transforming Insurance Scott Dull, CIC

9 Stop Quoting, Start Managing: The 90+ Day Renewal Revolution Jeremy Bagley

Jerry Rappe’

Specialty Lines Service Account Manager

11 Strengthening Our Industry Together

Cindy Munden, CISR

Agency & Education Specialist

Ali Qureshi

Stewart Berrong, CIC, CRM

14 Artificial Intelligence and Insurance Fraud: What You Need to Know Glen Mulready

Visit www.BIGiOK.com POLICY is the official publication of the BIGiOK. POLICY is published quarterly and distributed to all member agencies and other interested parties in Oklahoma. Manuscripts and contributions are welcome and will be considered for publication at the discretion of the BIGiOK Publications Committee. Correspondence and advertising inquiries may be addressed to BIGiOK, P.O. Box 13490, Oklahoma City, OK 73113. Ph: (405) 840-4426 or 1-800-324-4426

From the President/CEO

Reflections on a Hot Summer and Equally Hotly Contested Run-off Elections

Happy fall everyone! What a summer we had… hot weather and run-off elections!

• The Young Agent Conference will be held in September in Tulsa

I’m not sure you’re aware of how involved BIGiOK is in state and national legislation, advocacy and elections. During this election season, we’ve watched “insurance” become the target of the gubernatorial elections, which has also been the focus for those running for insurance commissioner. It is always our goal to work with elected officials to assist with insurance issues in the state.

• The IIABA Leadership Conference is scheduled for early October in Baltimore

It’s interesting to note that insurance is one of the most highly regulated industries in our state. We have always supported states’ rights for this regulation. As an important point, our goal is to find ways to assist our legislative leaders to protect the consumers and provide them the best coverage possible. This is why OKPAC is so important. … OKPAC is our political action committee that provides financial support for state elected officials who will provide or have shown support of issues affecting the insurance industry and share our business philosophies. Your contribution protects our industry’s future.

• The Institutes Education program is going STRONG…I encourage you to take advantage of the variety of classes and designations being offered!

Denise Johnson, AAI, AAI-M, CISR, CIC BIGiOK President/Chief Executive Officer

• The BIGiOK Board will hold their quarterly board meeting in late October. Congratulations to our BIGiOK board chairman, Scott Dull. I can’t say enough nice things about him and his agency that he and his brothers are a part of. Scott is the consummate BIGiOK member – he shows up and stays involved. His best line to me is always, “What do I need to do to assist?” Such a great example of leadership and membership. Make sure to read the feature story on him in this issue. Looking forward to an incredible year! In our next issue, we’ll have the results of elections for our state and federal elections. Lots of changes going on! As always, feel free to contact me with any thoughts or questions at denise.johnson@bigiok.com.

On a related note, kudos to BIGiOK’s Mark Tedford, who has won his primary/runoff election and is headed to the General Election in November. We’re expecting good things! Fall brings many good things to BIGiOK…

POLICY | Fall 2026

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From the Chairman

The Power of Synergy: How Collaborative Effort Is Transforming Insurance

Scott Dull, CIC Chairman

A good team knows the power of collaboration. They really go hand in hand. To paraphrase Helen Keller: I can accomplish many things, but WE can do so much more together. Show me a good office team, I’ll show you collaboration. Our insurance industry as a whole works this way. It’s historically known for rigid silos and fiercely competitive boundaries. But today, it is undergoing a massive shift. A new era of collaborative effort is redefining how risk is assessed, how claims are managed and how customers are served. By pooling data, sharing technological expertise and forming cross-industry alliances, modern insurers are discovering that cooperation often yields better results than isolation. Shared Data and Fraud Prevention Insurance fraud costs the industry billions of dollars annually. This financial burden is ultimately passed down to consumers through higher premiums. No single insurance company has a complete view of the market. This limitation makes it easy for bad actors to exploit gaps by submitting identical claims to multiple carriers. Collaborative data networks change the game. Through secure, anonymized datasharing clearinghouses and consortiums, competitors can now cross-reference claims in real time. Advanced artificial intelligence models analyze these collective datasets to flag suspicious patterns, duplicate claims and known fraud rings. This joint defense protects the financial integrity of the entire

industry and keeps premiums stable for honest policyholders. Insurtech Ecosystems and Digital Transformation The rise of financial technology has created a natural partnership between legacy insurers and agile startups. Legacy insurance companies possess deep regulatory knowledge, massive capital reserves and decades of historical risk data. However, they often struggle with slow, outdated software systems. Insurtech startups offer cutting-edge digital experiences, cloud infrastructure and advanced automation. Instead of trying to eliminate each other, these two sides are increasingly forming strategic partnerships. Legacy carriers provide the scale and financial backing, while Insurtechs deliver the seamless digital interfaces that modern consumers demand. This teamwork speeds up the underwriting process and reduces claim approval times from weeks to minutes. Public-Private Partnerships for Catastrophic Risks Some risks are too massive for the private market to handle alone. Our cyclical climate most recently has triggered an increase in severe weather events, including wildfires, floods and historic storms. In many high-risk geographic areas, private insurers are forced to pull back to avoid insolvency. Addressing these systemic gaps requires a collaborative effort between private insurance companies and government continued on page 8

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Fall 2026 | POLICY

From the Chairman continued from page 7 agencies. Public-private partnerships create specialized risk pools, such as national flood insurance programs or state-backed catastrophe funds. Private insurers bring their infrastructure to market policies and process claims efficiently. Meanwhile, the government provides the ultimate financial backstop. This collaboration ensures that businesses and homeowners in vulnerable regions can still access vital financial protection. Cross-Industry Alliances and Embedded Insurance The concept of collaboration extends well beyond traditional insurance boundaries. Modern carriers are embedding their products directly into the ecosystems of other industries, such as automotive, e-commerce and real estate. A prime example is the partnership between auto manufacturers and

POLICY | Fall 2026

insurers. By using real-time driving data collected directly from connected vehicles, insurers can offer personalized, behavior-based pricing. The car manufacturer enhances its product ecosystem, the insurer gains highly accurate risk data, and the consumer enjoys lower premiums for safe driving habits. This seamless integration changes insurance from a frustrating afterthought into a value-added feature of a primary purchase. A Shared Future for Risk Management Collaborative effort is no longer an optional strategy in the insurance world; it is an absolute necessity. The modern landscape features rapidly evolving risks, from sophisticated cyber threats to volatile global weather patterns.

cooperation shifts the industry focus from merely paying out claims after a disaster to proactively predicting and preventing losses before they occur. Over All As referenced above, collaborative effort must include technology. The models and parameters of technology is the driving force in most any industry today. It’s like clean water; it’s something that we all want, need and use. If utilized and managed correctly, we all gain to benefit from its offerings. It all goes hand in hand!

By working together, the insurance ecosystem can build stronger defenses against fraud, accelerate digital innovation and close critical coverage gaps. Ultimately, this spirit of

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From the Young Agents Committee

Stop Quoting, Start Managing: The 90+ Day Renewal Revolution

Jeremy Bagley Young Agents Committee Chairman

The traditional insurance renewal cycle is fundamentally broken. For decades, independent agents have operated in a reactive defensive posture. We wait for carriers to release premium adjustments, watch rate hikes land on our clients’ desks, and then frantically shop the market in a last-minute scramble. This transactional approach erodes trust. It reduces your years of professional expertise down to a single competitive price tag, leading clients to view insurance as a mere commodity rather than a critical safety net.

drives client churn. Conversely, an early timeline establishes a structured, datadriven narrative. The revolution begins at the 90-plus day mark by pulling loss runs and reviewing market shifts. Armed with this data at day 75, you hold a risk mitigation meeting with the client before carrier quotes are even generated. Instead of discussing premiums, you present tangible risk data and outline how proactive changes will alter their risk profile. By day 60, you take this mitigation story directly to underwriters, proving the client is

“Price shoppers can almost always find a cheaper rate, but they cannot replicate personalized, forward-looking risk management. Commencing the renewal process 90-plus days early builds an unbreakable competitive moat around your agency.” Shifting to proactive risk management entirely changes the conversation. By intentionally moving your renewal timeline to 90-plus days before expiration, you transform your role from a policy salesperson into an indispensable risk advisor. Reacting 30 days out guarantees friction. Clients feel blindsided by premium increases, and agents lack the runway to negotiate effectively with underwriters. This rushed timeline leaves money on the table, burns out staff and ultimately

a preferred risk and forcing carriers to compete on value. By the 30-day mark, you present a stabilized, confident renewal plan long before competitors can even send a cold solicitation. True risk advisors do not just talk about exposure; they bring actionable solutions to the table. When you provide tools that actively prevent claims from happening like telematics, updating employee handbooks and implementing workplace safety protocols, premium volatility naturally flattens. Carriers favor proactive continued on page 10

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Fall 2026 | POLICY

Young Agents Committee continued from page 9 insureds, and clients appreciate the tangible loss-control partnership. Price shoppers can almost always find a cheaper rate, but they cannot replicate personalized, forward-looking risk management. Commencing the renewal process 90-plus days early builds an unbreakable competitive moat around your agency. You protect your book, shield your commissions and secure lifetime client loyalty by proving your value when it matters most.

future of our industry belongs to those who lead with expertise, relationships and a commitment to proactive risk management.

As I step into my new role as Young Agents chair, I'm honored by the opportunity to serve and advocate for the next generation of independent insurance professionals. I look forward to sharing ideas, learning from fellow agents, and helping advance strategies that strengthen our agencies and the value we bring to our clients. The

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From the State National Director

Strengthening Our Industry Together

Stewart Berrong, CIC, CRM State National Director

It's been a while since I've had the opportunity to write for Policy, and I'm honored to be stepping into the role of state national director. Before continuing, I want to thank Chris Floyd for his years of service. I've been fortunate to learn from him over the years, and his willingness to share his knowledge is a perfect example of what makes this association so valuable. Even after 18 in the industry, there is always something to learn from one another. Thank you, Chris! Since my first official meeting in this role won't take place until late September, I'll keep this update brief. I'd like to encourage everyone to take advantage of the upcoming opportunities to get involved. I do hope to see everyone at the Young Agents conference coming up in September at the River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa. This is always a great event – and it’s not just for Young Agents. Next up is the national Big “I” Fall Leadership Conference/Young Agents Leadership Institute in Baltimore Sept. 30-Oct. 3. If you have never attended a national conference, I recommend going at least once. If Baltimore isn’t an option, then the Big “I” Legislative Conference – this year scheduled for early April 7-9, 2027, in Washington, D.C. – is another great opportunity. It allows you to not only meet other agents from across the country, but also to connect directly with your state legislators.

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Speaking of legislators at both the state and national levels, another important way to stay engaged is through advocacy. I encourage you to participate in our state OKPac as well as the national InsurPAC. As the cost of running for office continues to rise, these Pacs play an important role in supporting candidates who advocate for the insurance industry and our association’s members. For more information on our state OKPac, visit BIGiOK.com/OKPac. For the national InsurPAC visit BIGiOK.com/ insurpac. Additionally, as we approach the midterm elections, I encourage you to read the BIGiOK Legislative Update distributed via email by Denise Johnson. I look forward to serving as state national director and in providing insightful articles to help keep you informed on key developments at the national level. If you ever have questions, ideas or concerns you'd like to discuss, don't hesitate to reach out at stewart@berrongins.com. One of the greatest strengths of this association is the willingness of its members to learn from one another, and I'm excited to continue that tradition.

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From the State Insurance Commissioner

Artificial Intelligence and Insurance Fraud: What You Need to Know

New technologies are designed to make life easier, but they also create new risks — especially in the age of artificial intelligence. What once required advanced software to fabricate voices, photos, videos and documents can now be done in seconds on a smartphone. Here’s what you should know about AI powered insurance fraud and how to protect yourself.

Why Traditional Detection Systems Are Struggling Fraud prevention tools built before the AI boom rely heavily on pattern recognition and human review. But AI generated items mimic authentic formatting so accurately that they frequently pass visual inspection. The same WasItAIGenerated report finds that legacy systems simply aren’t equipped to spot AI crafted fraud on their own.

How AI Enables Modern Insurance Fraud Fraudsters increasingly use AI to generate realistic evidence that appears genuine. The AI Insurance Fraud Statistics 2026 report from WasItAIGenerated

The Financial Impact on Consumers Insurance fraud affects everyone. According to Verisk’s 2026 State of Insurance Fraud Study, 69% of consumers believe fraud drives

Glen Mulready State Insurance Commissioner

WasItAIGenerated estimates annual insurance fraud losses now exceed $308 billion, with AI assisted fraud rising sharply each year. highlights how widespread this has become: • 34% of AI related fraud now involves AI generated fake receipts. • 28% involves synthetic medical documents. • 19% involves AI generated damage photos. • 12% involves deepfake video evidence. These tools let scammers create convincing materials that can slip past traditional review processes.

POLICY | Fall 2026

higher premiums for all policyholders. WasItAIGenerated estimates annual insurance fraud losses now exceed $308 billion, with AI assisted fraud rising sharply each year. Each fraudulent claim contributes to higher costs for honest customers.

How the Insurance Industry Is Responding Insurers are rapidly adopting new tools to combat AI driven fraud. Verisk reports that 98% of insurers say AI is fueling digital scams and are investing in technologies such as: BIGiOK.com

From the State Insurance Commissioner • Image forensics systems • Deepfake detection tools • Document authenticity scoring Regulators are acting as well. The Oklahoma Insurance Department regularly shares fraud information with other states to identify scams early and pursue criminal cases. How to Protect Yourself You can reduce your risk of falling victim to AI driven scams: • Be cautious with unexpected messages from insurers; verify through official channels.

New technology is giving criminals powerful tools, but insurers and regulators are strengthening their defenses. The most effective protection you have is awareness. Want to learn more? Join the Oklahoma Insurance Department and LIFE Senior Services for a free Senior Fraud Defense Workshop in Tulsa on Oct. 26. Get practical strategies to recognize scams, protect your information, ask questions, and connect with trusted resources. Register at oid.ok.gov/fraudworkshop.

• Examine documents closely and question anything that looks unusual. • Avoid altering claim photos. Edits can trigger fraud alerts. • Keep original receipts and paperwork. • Report suspicious activity promptly.

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Fall 2026 | POLICY

New Voices at the Table

New Voices at the Table Meet MyNetwork Co-Leaders Julie Webb and Emma Corcoran

There is something special that happens when women sit down together and speak honestly about leadership. A difficult situation becomes a little clearer. Someone realizes she is not the only person facing a particular challenge. A new idea takes shape. A hard-earned success is celebrated by people who truly understand what it took to achieve it. For more than a decade, those moments have been at the heart of MyNetwork. When MyNetwork creator Sara Bradshaw Ray retired at the end of June, she left behind more than a leadership development program. She created a trusted community where women in insurance could learn, ask questions, share experiences and become stronger leaders together. Now, Julie Webb and Emma Corcoran are stepping forward as MyNetwork’s new co-leaders — and they understand the importance of the responsibility they have accepted.

POLICY | Fall 2026

“Emma and I don’t take it lightly that we’ve been asked to carry this forward,” Julie said. “Sara was making spaces for women to come together before we even knew we needed them.” Emma shares that appreciation for what Sara created. She hopes to preserve the community, warmth and authenticity that have defined MyNetwork while continuing its thoughtful approach to leadership development. “Sara created a deep sense of community and belonging,” Emma said. “She elevated women’s voices across the insurance industry and showed us that leadership is both a skill and a shared experience.” While Julie and Emma are taking the reins from Sara, they are not strangers to MyNetwork — or to the conversations taking place around its tables.

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New Voices at the Table Creating Space for Answers Emma is the founder of EC Consulting LLC, a leadership and facilitation consulting firm based in New Jersey. Her approach to facilitation begins with a simple but powerful belief: Teams often already possess the answers they need. Her role is to create the environment in which those answers can emerge. “I love helping women across the insurance industry lead with intention and accelerate their growth,” Emma said. Emma Corcoran MyNetwork Co-leader

Julie Webb MyNetwork Co-leader

A Full-Circle Moment Julie is a 20-plus-year veteran of the insurance industry and the founder of JMW Collective, a consulting company focused on elevating insurance leaders through coaching, workshops and peer connection. Before becoming a MyNetwork facilitator in 2024, Julie participated in three MyNetwork groups as an agency principal. “It was the single best investment I made in myself and my team,” she said. “Giving back to MyNetwork as a facilitator has really been a full-circle moment for me.” Julie understands firsthand what it feels like to arrive at the table with questions, responsibilities and challenges that may be difficult to discuss anywhere else. She has also experienced what can happen when women have a trusted space in which to work through those challenges together. “There’s always magic at the table when women come together to support each other,” Julie said. “It might be an AHA moment, a problem solved or a win celebrated. I love facilitating that magic.” Outside of her professional life, Julie is a wife and the mother of Samuel, 14, and Roslyn, 11. She is also a devoted dog mom to Lincoln — “she/her,” Julie is quick to clarify. She describes herself as the oldest of three siblings, a millennial and a Taurus, adding with a laugh that the combination “explains a lot.” She is also a marathon runner. Julie completed her first marathon last year and is now training for the Philadelphia Marathon in November. When she is not working or running, she may be found reading fiction, working a crossword puzzle or knitting — as long as the finished item can be square. Crossword puzzles hold a particularly meaningful place in her life because her late grandmother loved them. Given the opportunity to have lunch with anyone, past or present, Julie would choose her grandmother, with a crossword puzzle between them.

As she steps into the co-director role, Emma is excited to introduce MyNetwork to new people while continuing to serve the community that has already grown around it. “MyNetwork is one of the best-kept secrets for women in insurance,” she said. “Julie and I want to reach new people across the industry while expanding the platform with fresh programming, new voices, more connection points and some fun extras.” Emma is particularly excited about the theme for MyNetwork’s 12th season: The Art of Productive Conflict. The topic grew from questions Julie and Emma regularly hear from clients about navigating difficult conversations, managing disagreement and leading through conflict. “We all face conflict in our careers because we need conflict in the workplace,” Emma said. “We want to empower the women at our tables to navigate it confidently and successfully.” Emma brings the energy of a natural brainstormer to the partnership. Those familiar with the Kolbe assessment may recognize her as an initiating Quick Start — someone who enjoys exploring possibilities and moving ideas forward. Have a new idea? A challenge that needs a fresh perspective? Emma is ready to talk it through. She is a planner at heart, a problem-solver by training and a “figure it out as we go” person whenever good facilitation requires flexibility. That combination also means she is usually a “reply right away” person. “As a Quick Start, I tend to go with my gut,” Emma said. “And as a working mom, I want to get as much done as quickly as I can.” Emma is the mother of two daughters, whom she credits with keeping her grounded and laughing. Along with a quirky fur baby, the girls ensure Emma’s husband is thoroughly outnumbered at home. Books are also an important part of Emma’s life. Her mother recently retired after working as a librarian, and Emma hopes to pass their shared love of reading along to her daughters. Her husband, she jokes, “may be a lost cause.” Emma has also developed a new obsession with pickleball — a hobby she shares with Sara. continued on page 18

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Fall 2026 | POLICY

New Voices at the Table continued from page 17

Different Styles, Shared Purpose Julie and Emma bring distinct personalities and leadership styles to their new roles. Julie’s desk includes a Post-it note bearing the words “Clear is kind,” a phrase associated with author and researcher Brené Brown. It reminds Julie that honest communication sometimes requires saying the difficult thing. Emma’s desk displays pictures of her daughters, keeping the people most important to her close throughout the workday. Julie begins her morning with hot black coffee and a splash of collagen. Emma prefers a hazelnut or vanilla latte in the morning and often finishes her evening with peppermint tea. When asked whether she replies immediately or takes time to think, Julie offered perhaps the perfect response: “I’ll have to think about that before I reply.” Their differences are part of what makes the partnership promising. One may pause where the other moves quickly. One may provide clarity while the other opens the door to a new possibility. Together, they share a deep commitment to maintaining the trusted environment Sara created. They also share a desire to make MyNetwork feel personal. This is not leadership development built around having all the right answers or projecting a flawless professional image. It is about gathering around a table with people who understand the work, the pressure, the opportunities and the occasional uncertainty that come with leading in the insurance industry.

As Julie and Emma begin this new chapter, they hope members will feel comfortable reaching out, sharing ideas or simply introducing themselves. Julie can be found most often on LinkedIn. Those interested in seeing an “older millennial doing her best at reels” can also follow JMW Collective on Instagram at @jmw.collective.

It is a place for honest questions, thoughtful conversations and meaningful relationships.

Emma welcomes connections through LinkedIn and Instagram or by email at Emma@MyNetworkIns.com.

Continuing the Legacy

Most importantly, both women are ready to listen.

Sara’s influence will remain visible throughout MyNetwork. Her commitment to women in insurance can be seen in its structure, its conversations and the relationships that have grown from it. Julie considers Sara both a mentor and a friend, while Emma points to the warmth and accessibility Sara brought to every session.

There are new conversations ahead, new friendships waiting to be formed and plenty of room around the table. Welcome, Julie and Emma. We look forward to getting to know you.

Julie and Emma are not seeking to replace what made MyNetwork special. They are preparing to care for it, build upon it and bring their own experiences to the table. Season 12 will offer new ideas and a few surprises, but the heart of MyNetwork will remain the same: women supporting women as they learn to lead with greater confidence, purpose and authenticity. And while MyNetwork was created to address the experiences of women in insurance, the values behind it are universal. Stronger conversations, genuine connection, productive disagreement and more intentional leadership benefit teams, agencies and organizations as a whole.

POLICY | Fall 2026

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New Voices at the Table

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About BIGiOK

BIGiOK LEADERSHIP Chairman

Chairman Elect

Treasurer

Omega Insurance Agency Choctaw

INSURICA Tulsa

Cornerstone Insurance Group Oklahoma City

Scott Dull, CIC

Guy Griggs

Secretary

Immediate Past Chairman

Rich & Cartmill Tulsa

Ricketts Fennell & Assoc. Tulsa

Tom Perrault

Vicky Courtney

Trent Willis

State Director

Stewart Berrong, CIC, CRM Ed Berrong Insurance Agency Edmond

Director at Large

Dillingham Insurance Oklahoma City

Clear View Insurance Moore

Extra Mile Insurance Owasso

Helen Kasper

Melanie Dinwiddie

Niki Henley

YAC Chairman

Company Liaison

Unity Insurance Partners Moore

One General Agency Oklahoma City

Mid-Continent Group Oklahoma City

Jeremy Bagley

Jennifer Dotter

Eric Callaham

BIGiOK MISSION STATEMENT As the new voice of the independent agents of Oklahoma, BIGiOK promotes and provides education, legislative advocacy, innovative concepts and practical solutions, and community and career opportunities.

ABOUT BIGiOK

Founded in 1906 as the Oklahoma Association of Local Fire Insurance Agents, BIGiOK (Big I Oklahoma, Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma) has grown into the largest and most influential insurance trade association in the state. With nearly 450 independent insurance agency members, we proudly represent over 3,000 independent insurance agents and their teams. Our members range from small, one-person operations to some of the largest and most respected agencies in the region. BIGiOK’s mission and policies are shaped by a dedicated board of directors, elected each year at our annual convention, and implemented by a professional staff based in Oklahoma City. Our work is driven by a commitment to strengthening independent insurance agencies through a variety of 20 POLICY | Fall 2026

programs and services. From advocacy before legislative, regulatory and judicial bodies in Oklahoma to providing essential resources, BIGiOK is a powerful voice for independent agents at the state level. We are also proud to be affiliated with the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA), a national organization based in Alexandria, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., that amplifies our advocacy efforts on a national stage. Beyond advocacy, BIGiOK serves as the go-to resource for information and updates within the insurance industry. Through our publications—Policy Magazine, the BIGiOK Newsletter and other time-sensitive member communications—we ensure that our members stay informed and equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving industry. BIGiOK.com

OKPac is BIGiOK’s state political action committee. It provides financial support for state elected officials who will provide support for or have shown support of issues affecting the insurance industry and to those who share our business philosophies. Only individuals or partnerships can make contributions to OKPac. Under Oklahoma law, OKPac can accept no contributions from corporations.

2026 Contributors Jeff Berrong Stewart Berrong Eric Callahan Carrie Cheeks Vicky Courtney John Dillingham Jennifer Dotter Michael Scott Dull Chris Floyd

Austin Greenhaw* Guy Griggs Niki Henley Lucas Howard Denise Johnson Brian Kennedy Sharghi Lyles Jeff Lynch Traci Madole

Cody McNeil Avery Moore* Cody McNeill Avery Moore* Thomas Perrault Jason & Brande Riggs* Margaret Rutherford Ryan Teubner

InsurPac is BIGiOK’s national political action committee. It pools the voluntary and individual financial contributions of thousands of independent insurance agents to help elect candidates to Congress who share BIGiOK’s business philosophies. InsurPac is the largest property-casualty insurance industry PAC in the country.

2026 Contributors Jeremy Bagley Travis Brown Vicky Courtney John Dillingham Michael Scott Dull Chris Floyd Vaughn Graham Sr.

Guy Griggs Tony Holmes Clayton Howell* Denise Johnson Mark Long Patrick Mandeville Mark McPherson

Michael Mosley Benjamin Robbins Michael Ross Belynda Tayar Ed Young

See more information and quantifiable examples of contributions by going to: OKPac - BIGiOK.com/OKPac

Is your name not on the list? Make contributions today at BIGiOK.com/pac Contributions as of 8/1/2026. Only gifts of $100 or more are listed, except for Young Agents, whose contributions of any amount are listed.

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Fall 2026 | POLICY

Connected, Committed and Ready to Serve Some years ago, Michael Scott Dull’s wife gave him a hat that reads “That’s what I do; I fix stuff and I know things.” Those are excellent traits to have as an independent insurance agent, and will also serve him well as the new chair of BIGiOK, a position he’s held on an interim basis for the past year. Like many incoming chairs featured in POLICY over the years, Scott came to the independent insurance agency industry through a family legacy. However, unlike many others, he took the long road, including a stint with the Navy, before actually entering into it in earnest. A native of Harrah, located about 25 miles east of downtown Oklahoma City, Scott graduated from Harrah High School in 1980. His first job, which he started at age 13 and continued on and off as needed through high school, was working for a caterer in Oklahoma City, Dub Adams Hickory Kitchen. After graduation he went to work for Boyd Chevrolet in Oklahoma City as a mechanic for six months before Joining the Navy in December 1980. 22 POLICY | Fall 2026

“Sailing the seven seas while attached to an aviation command was my ticket to see the world. And that I did! Learned a good trade as a jet engine mechanic as well!” In December 1984, Scott was honorably discharged from the Navy and went back home go to work for his parents, Bill and Barbara Dull, at Omega Insurance Agency Inc. in Choctaw, which began life in 1963 as WH Dull Insurance Agency. “I’d be lying if I said growing up I wanted to sell insurance like my mom and dad,” he said. “Who EVER said that? NO ONE!” But there at Omega was where he met his future wife, Lacreta Ann, or “Lu”. They were married on Nov. 14, 1987. During this time, he attended night classes and earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1992. After a brief stint at Omega Insurance, he worked at Tinker Air Force base for a contractor on the transit line, then to Reliable Reports conducting insurance property inspections. From there, he moved to Choctaw State Bank as a loan collector. BIGiOK.com

Getting to Know Scott Dull

He then circled back around to insurance, working first at Liberty Mutual for about seven years as a claims adjuster, where he handled some property and casualty claims, but focused more on workers’ compensation claims. In 1997, he returned to Omega Insurance when his parents announced their retirement and sold the agency to Scott and his brothers, Russell and Dean. “I’ve been at Omega on and off from 1985 to 1997, and here full time since 1997 – so I’ve been in the business for the most part for the past 41 years,” Scott said, noting that he currently serves as the CFO for the corporation with additional responsibilities including accounting, management and new business sales. “Of course, taking care of renewals is of utmost importance!” he added. Of his work at Omega Insurance, Scott describes the accounting component as “very fulfilling. Just like learning puzzles as a child, you put the pieces together. Plain and simple.” Solving puzzles has also helped him in all aspects of his life Scott says, noting, “you start a project, you finish it.”

“Also, I love people. Selling insurance from the prospecting to closing the deal is all about relationships. In this business and for my life around family, friends and acquaintances, I love establishing relationships!” For this interview, Scott fielded a wide range of questions with candor, calling himself an open book. Read on to get to know him better, as well as his goals as chairman.

Outside Interests Family comes first. Scott loves spending time with his wife, Lu, who continued to work in the family business until her retirement in 2023; their three children, Jeromie Cook, Kimberly Dull and Kailea McGehee; and three grandchildren, Abigail Cook, Tyler Cook and Rylan McGehee. Other family members are a dog named Waylon and a cat named Bella. After family, Scott says “anything that has to do with physical labor and mechanicking provides me a great satisfaction. We live on a 20-acre farm where there’s always something to do or fix. Referencing the words on the hat his wife gave him (noted at the beginning of this article), Scott said that statement truly defines him. continued on page 24

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Fall 2026 | POLICY

Getting to Know Scott Dull continued from page 23

A few years ago, the couple discovered a new passion when they bought a travel trailer and got into camping. “What a great way to getaway! Just pack up, go anywhere you want and enjoy America’s backroads!” On the rare occasion he has to just watch TV, he says he favorite is “the first of all reality shows, Survivor. For movies, if it has Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Tom Cruise or Keanu Reeves in it, I’m in! Guess I like action-packed movies!”

On Mentoring and Advancing Scott is big on mentoring, and encourages young agents to find a mentor, and for more established agents to be that mentor. Scott’s mentor was William Bernhardt, M.D., the family physician since he was a child, and later his wife’s and children’s doctor. 24 POLICY | Fall 2026

“Through the years, he became a client of mine in the insurance world. With my many meetings with him either about insurance or medicine, he taught me through his actions that when going to work, you put your white coat on. There, you must be a professional. And off work, you can just be a regular guy. He took his job seriously as a doctor, and I take my job seriously as a professional insurance agent.” For agents just starting out in this industry, Scott’s advice is to “make sure to get in with the right crowd to begin with. From there, you’ll find that one person you’ll ‘sync’ with. Call him or her a mentor if you wish, but – as in my case – that person may be someone who finds you. Also getting involved with BIGiOK and/or the Young Agents through the Big I is a must. That, along with attending BIGiOK events such as Insurcon, provides great networking opportunities amongst your peers.”

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Getting to Know Scott Dull apply this knowledge to that technology. It’s in how we think. Take AI, for example – how we have to ‘think’ to come up with the input needed to achieve the desired outcome. There’s so much depth in all this and we have to keep up!” Regarding upcoming changes in the industry, Scott sees an “everchanging field of not only M&A amongst agents or agencies, but also in the company and broker side of the business.

Greatest Personal/Professional Challenge “My greatest challenge is in both my personal and professional life. It’s time management,” he shared. “I don’t want to start a project until I know I can complete it. And when completed, it will be done right. This hints at procrastination if I don’t think I can meet those parameters. As with any task, it’s either do it, ditch it or delegate it. If I do it, I’ve learned from my wife that it’s OK to piecemeal projects working in the time frame allotted during any given day.”

Industry Challenges “The greatest challenge facing independent agents today is something everyone talks about, which is changes in technology,” Scott said. “This was on the forefront when I came into the business in 1985, and has been evolving ever since. You can’t avoid it. You either keep up or lose your edge. “Obviously, this is not just in the hardware or devices we all buy. It’s all the peripherals that go in and around that hardware or device. It’s knowledge. It’s in our own abilities in how we

"Here is what I love the most about Scott. Anytime you say ‘Hey, Scott can you...?’ Scott's response is ‘just let me know, happy to do it.’” – Denise Johnson, BIGiOK president/CEO

BIGiOK.com

“This isn’t discussed as much as agencies, but I’ve seen a lot of this activity in the past eight to 10 years, and I’m sure there’s a lot more to come,” Scott said. “I tend to think this is the survival instinct we all have as humans; we all want to become bigger, stronger, faster in order to survive.”

Goals and Leadership Style “Big I Oklahoma has recently embarked on a new education venture through The Institutes Agent and Broker Group, a cutting-edge online insurance education organization that we’ve just endorsed and brought onboard for our members this past year,” Scott said. “As incoming chairman, my goal is to see this program off to a booming start! I want to make sure all our members know about and utilize this valuable asset when it comes to their continuing educational needs!” He also will work with the BIGiOK leadership team on expanding educational offerings. “I love the whole model of continuing education,” he said. “It’s like perpetual motion (in theory). If we stay dormant, we don’t grow. Through education we keep our edge as well as keep up with what is going on in our industry. All professionals (well, really everyone) need continuing education.” Scott describes his leadership style is “hands on,” by which he means “lead by example and model the exact behaviors, work ethic and values that I expect from my team.” As noted earlier, fixing stuff and knowing things – the two traits Scott’s wife identify as her husband’s top two strengths – will also serve Scott well as the new BIGiOK chairman, as will his hands-on leadership style that he has already demonstrated as interim chair. Welcome aboard!

Fall 2026 | POLICY

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Young Agents

Young Agents of Oklahoma Raise Over $7,000 for Free to Live Animal Sanctuary The Young Agents of Oklahoma combined philanthropy with plenty of fun during a memorable fundraising event that generated more than $7,000 for Free to Live Animal Sanctuary in Guthrie. The evening featured two rounds of Singo, pie-in-the-face challenges, a dunk tank with nine enthusiastic volunteers, raffle baskets valued at more than $100 each, a presentation from Free to Live, delicious birria tacos, frozen strawberry margaritas, and a special appearance by Marley, a friendly golden retriever who quickly became the crowd favorite.

A special thank you goes to our valued partner companies for donating the raffle baskets and helping make the event a success. As the fundraising total surpassed the $7,000 goal, Young Agents liaison Shania Slavick honored her promise by taking a turn in the dunk tank, much to the crowd’s delight. More than just a fun evening, the event highlighted the Young Agents’ commitment to giving back. The funds raised will directly support Free to Live Animal Sanctuary's mission of rescuing, rehabilitating and caring for homeless and abandoned dogs and cats throughout Oklahoma. The Young Agents of Oklahoma sincerely thank everyone who attended, volunteered and donated at the event. Together, their generosity made a meaningful impact for Free to Live and the animals they serve.

BIGiOK.com

Fall 2026 | POLICY

Young Agents

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Young Agents

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Fall 2026 | POLICY

Young Agents

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Diamond Partners Partners Page for Policy 02102026.indd - updated August 3, 2026 10:16 AM

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