KIA&B 2015 Volume 20, Issue 3 | Page 18

leadership profile: Bob fee Fee Insurance Group, Inc. President & Chief Operating Officer Hutchinson, Kansas Newest Leadership Achievement: Elected to the Big “I” National Executive Committee Education: Community & Civic Leadership: University of Kansas, B.A. in Political Science Hutchinson Regional Medical Center Foundation Board New Beginnings Homeless Shelter Board Delos Smith Foundation Board Charles Carey Foundation Board Baker Trust Foundation Board Willowbrook City Council Rotary Club (where he is also past president) Past President of the YMCA Board Past President of the Prairie Dunes Country Club Board Past Board Chairman of the Hutchinson Reno Country Chamber Past Board Chairman of the Kansas Cosmosphere Elder at First Presbyterian Church in Hutchinson Family: Bob and his wife Annie have been married 26 years. They have four children: Robert Jr. (23), Kathleen (20), Madelyn (17) and Emily (14). Professional Experience: While in college Bob interned for a summer in Washington, D.C., for then-Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole. The next summer he interned for Kansas Insurance Commissioner Fletcher Bell. Bob began working with Fee Insurance in June 1987 and has been with them ever since. Proudest Career Accomplishment: Attaining the CPCU designation Big “I” Leadership & Involvement: • National Trusted Choice® Board, 2008-2012 • Trusted Choice® Chairman, 2009-2011 • IIABA Government Affairs Committee, 2014 • National Director for Kansas, 2013-present • IIABA Chairman’s Award, 2011 KAIA Leadership & Involvement: • 25+ years active involvement with KAIA • President of KAIA, 2007-2008 • KAIA Board of Directors, 2000-2009, 2013-present • Government Affairs Committee • Young Agents • Industry Partner Committee • AScK Board of Directors Top 3 priorities while serving on the Big “I” Executive Committee: • Grow membership • Make sure our national association is financially sound • Make sure our national association is offering the member services that our members need and expect What do you see as biggest challenge facing the industry right now? The lack of young people joining the industry at both the company and agency level, which is creating a perpetuation problem in local, independent agencies as well as for the industry as a whole. Why is it important for agents to be involved with the Big “I” and KAIA? The Big “I” and KAIA are our voice in Washington, D.C., and Topeka, Kansas, when it comes to helping agents get heard. They make sure legislatures, on a state as well as federal level, know how things will affect insurance agencies in Kansas if they pass certain bills.