Following Larry ’ s Footprints
Larry returned to KAIA as executive vice president in June 2000 . He has spent the previous 15 years as the chief staff executive of KAIA where he helped merge the Independent Insurance Agents of Kansas with the Professional Insurance agents . Larry inititated the formation of KAIA ’ s for-profit and helped develop its nondues revenue programs to include multi-line public entity safety groups , miscellaneous effors and omissioons programs , and a group workers ’ compensation fund with the Kansa Chamber along with member E & O group medical programs .
He managed the Independent Insurance Agents of America ’ s for-profit operations for three years with responsibility for all IIAA ’ s insurance programs including their immensely successful member E & O professional liability program , personal umbrealla , flood , personal lines Eagle Agency , employment practices liability , D & O liability , group medical , dental , life , disability , and a full range of retirement programs .
Just before returning to KAIA , he was CEO of the AMS Users ’ Group - an 11,000- member national organization with 19 staff members . AMSUG ’ s independent agency members had purchased one of AMS ’ agency management software packages . The Users ’ Group sponsored the largest gathering of independent agencies at its annual conference , hosted regional training , provided technical input to AMS , and resolved member complaints with the vendor .
Larry began his career with 10-years of experience . First as a bond underwriter for the USF & G insurance company . Then as an independent broker for Gilbert-Magill Co ., and finally as a marketing representative for Firemans ’ Fund . During that time , he earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter ( CPCU ), Chartered Life Underwriter ( CLU ), Accreditd Advisor in Insurance designation . Larry served as president of the Kansas Society of Association Executives ( KSAE ), chaired the Big “ I ” state association executives organization ( IME ) and earned his Certified Association Executive ( CAE ) designation . In addition , he served on the board of directors for the Topeka Independent Business Association ( TIBA ) and as chairman for the Kansas Insurance Education Foundation ( KIEF ) Board of Trustees .
He taught both insurance courses and association management courses . He was honored with the Agent of Merit Award by the KIA / 1752 Club in 2009 , the Ron Stryker Key Member award by TIBA in 2008 , the KIEF Hall of Fame award in 1995 , and CPCU Society ’ s Pace Setter award in 1994 . He graduated from Kansas State University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics .
We give our thanks to Larry for his committed leadership , his friendship , and his enduring dedication to KAIA .
“ That man is a success who has lived well , laughed often and loved much ; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children ; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task ; who leaved the world better than he found it , whether by an improved poppy , a perfect poem or a rescued soul ; who never lacked appreciation of Earth ’ s beauty or failed to express it ; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had .” - Robert Louis Stevenson
66 Kansas Association of Insurance Agents