WSIA 2023 Opening Breakfast Program by Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA)

TWENTY TWENTY THREE

OPENING BREAKFAST

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING & AWARDS

WHOLESALE & SPECIALTY INSURANCE ASSOCIATION

AGENDA

WELCOME

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

ANNUAL BUSINESS CONSENT AGENDA

• SECRETARY’S REPORT

• TREASURER’S REPORT

• NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT & ELECTIONS

KEYNOTE SPEAKER, DAYMOND JOHN

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KEYNOTE SPEAKER

DAYMOND JOHN

FOUNDER & CEO OF FUBU STAR OF ABC’S SHARK TANK CEO OF THE SHARK GROUP, CONSULTING AGENCY

An entrepreneur in every sense of the word, Daymond John has come a long way from taking out a $100,000 mortgage on his mother’s house and moving his operation into the basement. John is CEO and Founder of FUBU, a much-celebrated global lifestyle brand, and a pioneer in the fashion industry with over $6 billion in product sales.

He is an award-winning entrepreneur, and he has received over 35 awards including the Brandweek Marketer of the Year, Advertising Age Marketing 1000 Award for Outstanding Ad Campaign, Ernst & Young’s New York Entrepreneur of the Year Award and, most recently, was named #4 on LinkedIn’s Top 20 Voices, a list of the top influencers in the U.S. worth following to get inspired and stay informed! His marketing strategies and ability to build successful brands have made him a highly influential consultant and motivational speaker today. His marketing firm, The Shark Group, offers advice on how to effectively communicate to consumers through innovative means and connects brands with the world’s top celebrities for everything

from endorsements to product extensions. John is also an author of four best-selling books including his New York Times best-selling books, The Power of Broke (2016) and Rise and Grind (2018). In March 2020, John released his sixth book, Powershift, that walks through his tried-andtrue process of how to transform any situation, close any deal and achieve any outcome through his own experience and vast network of industry leaders. Finally, he’s celebrating his 12th season on ABC’s hit business show Shark Tank by acclaimed producer Mark Burnett. It has now gone on to win four Emmys and millions of weekly viewers tune into the show as John demonstrates his marketing prowess and entrepreneurial insights.

VINCENT DONAHUE/CHARLES MCALEAR INDUSTRY AWARD

JOEL CAVANESS, RISK PLACEMENT SERVICES, INC.

JOEL CAVANESS will be honored with the Vincent Donahue/Charles McAlear Industry Award, the association’s highest distinction. Honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the association and the industry, it is named after Vincent Donahue and Charles McAlear were pioneers of our legacy organizations. Donahue served as president of Jefferson Insurance Company and was instrumental in encouraging competitors to join AAMGA. McAlear initiated organizational efforts to form NAPSLO in the early 1970s and served as its first president from 1975 to 1977. Joel serves as President of Risk Placement Services,

Inc., which he co-founded in 1997, leading its growth to become one of the largest U.S. wholesale brokers, managing general agents and program managers. He joined the NAPSLO Board of Directors in 2010 and served the association as Co-Chair of the Communications & Technology Committee and Co-Chair of the Education Committee. He was honored with the NAPSLO President’s Award in 2015 for outstanding committee leadership. He joined the Executive Committee in 2016 and served as WSIA President in 2019-2020. He was named the 2022 Spirit of Life Honoree by the National Insurance Industry Council and recognized for championing RPS’s culture of community and involvement. He continues to serve WSIA as a member of the PAC Committee, actively encouraging colleagues and peers to support the WSIA PAC and the association.

“I am so honored to receive this award. Charles McAlear and Vincent Donahue were so instrumental in the development of this Association and pioneers in the wholesale business. I am sure that they would be so proud of how far we have come as an industry and to receive this award in their names means so much to me. I appreciate this recognition and challenge everyone to continue to give back to the industry that rewards us so well. Each of us need to do our part to keep our culture of growth and professionalism through the WSIA. Thanks to the Executive Committee and the full Board on this honor.”

CRISTI CARRINGTON will be honored with the Earle Dillard Award, which honors the contributions and outstanding service of a Committee Chair. The award is named after Earle Dillard who served as president of Bloss & Dillard and as AAMGA President from 1973-1974. He led many AAMGA initiatives over many years, including the mid-1960s group that shaped many of the AAMGA’s operating policies and the formation of the AAMGA University Foundation in 1988.

Cristi serves as Chief Distribution Officer and Principal at Brown & Riding and has nearly 25 years of industry experience. She has served as Chair of the WSIA PAC Committee since joining the WSIA Board of Directors

in 2021. During that time, the PAC has seen record-breaking fundraising with her exceptional leadership. During 2022, the PAC raised $253,282, exceeding its goal.

It is a privilege to recognize Cristi for this outstanding effort on behalf of the association, particularly during a challenging time that offered fewer opportunities to raise funds during in-person events. Her creativity and unwavering support are appreciated.

“It is an incredible honor to be bestowed with this award and to be among the esteemed company of the other recipients. A strong Political Action Committee (PAC) grants us the ability to communicate the needs of our industry to legislators, and every contribution is an investment in our collective success. This award is proof of the PAC’s achievement and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the PAC committee members, who effectively raised awareness within their firms. My sincere gratitude goes out to Joel Cavaness and Bryan Sanders for their support at Annual Marketplace, which helped us surpass our goals. I am grateful to all who have supported the PAC, as every contribution is meaningful and greatly appreciated.”

EARLE DILLARD AWARD

CRISTI CARRINGTON, BROWN & RIDING

RICHARD BOUHAN LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY AWARD

MEMBERS OF THE LOUISIANA SURPLUS LINE ASSOCIATION (LSLA) BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEMBERS OF THE LOUISIANA SURPLUS LINE ASSOCIATION (LSLA)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS will be honored as the Richard Bouhan Legislative Advocacy Award recipients, honoring individuals whose advocacy helps advance the legislative interests of the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry. It was created in 2006 to recognize Dick Bouhan’s outstanding legislative work as Executive Director of the association from 1988 to 2011.

The LSLA is being recognized for its work during the 2022 legislative session to appropriately address the industry’s concerns with SB 162 in Louisiana. With LSLA’s dedication and work to educate and inform legislators about the significant problems SB 162 would have created for insureds and the industry in Louisiana, the bill was tabled. The LSLA took a strong and determined lead in addressing the issue, which would have created significant disruption in an already challenging Louisiana property market. We sincerely appreciate the LSLA Board’s efforts on behalf of Louisiana consumers and WSIA members, and it is our honor to recognize them with this award.

“The LSLA is truly humbled and honored to accept the 2023 Richard Bouhan Award. To be recognized for our contributions to advancing the legislative interests of the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry is a great honor. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to WSIA and the selection committee for this recognition and for WSIA’s support in our legislative efforts. We are particularly honored to receive this award on behalf of our board and membership. We will strive to continue our advocacy work and live up to the standards set by the award’s namesake. Thank you again for this recognition, and for the opportunity to contribute to safeguarding the surplus lines industry.”

BOB HOPE will be honored with the Dana Roehrig Award. Named after Dana Roehrig, who served as the second president of NAPSLO, the award recognizes the efforts of outstanding volunteers to one of the association’s working committees.

Bob is the Executive Director of the Surplus Line Association of Washington, and he has served on the WSIA Legislative Committee and provided regulatory and legislative advocacy and education to the association and the wholesale broker community throughout his time there.

It is our honor to recognize Bob for his unwavering dedication to the surplus lines industry, WSIA, and its legacy organizations. He has been a key volunteer in educating legislators and regulators about the industry and has been a great support to WSIA staff in these efforts.

“I want to thank WSIA and everyone involved in the process for this amazing honor. It means so much to be associated with Dana Roehrig and the esteemed group of previous winners. My contributions have come easily because I have been fortunate to work with the best of the best in the surplus lines arena. This award reinforces the collaborative efforts of our industry to assist brokers and resolve issues that ultimately protect all of our insureds. I would not be in this position without WSIA and my supportive Board and our members. Thank you for choosing me for the Dana Roehrig Award.”

DANA ROEHRIG AWARD

BOB HOPE, SURPLUS LINE ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON

NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT AND ELECTIONS

WSIA DIRECTOR NOMINEES PATRICK ALBRECHT Associated Insurance Administrators, Inc. BRENDA (BALLARD) AUSTENFELD RT Specialty WENDY HOUSER Markel Specialty CHRISTA NADLER Risk Placement Services ROBERT SANDERS Preferred Specialty, LLC CORYN THALMANN Jimcor Agencies