can greatly help speed up the learning curve as well.”
When asked about the about the insurance industry, Hulcher had nothing but positive things to say.“ The insurance industry is amazing, and I think not everyone understands how wonderful it is. There’ s so many different facets and opportunities. You have the sales aspect, the legal aspect, claims, the actuarial side. It’ s just a great industry.”
After a short time in the agency Hulcher was approached by someone at the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America Inc., and was offered a job to come onboard within their for-profit subsidiary. That was nearly two decades ago and that operation has grown from 7 people when he started to approximately 35 today.
When hired by the national association, he had the opportunity to first meet and work with former KAIA state executive Larry Magill.“ When I reflect on my career there was a critical point that put the wheels in motion to lead me to where I am today. I still remember sitting with Larry and Ed Armstrong discussing whether I would be a fit to manage the national E & O program which produced the largest amount of non-dues revenue for the association. Larry gave me the vote of confidence to help get me to where I am today and for that I will always be thankful.”
As part of the organization’ s for-profit subsidiary, Big“ I” Advantage team, Hulcher served as Director of Errors and Omissions Operations and, most recently, as Assistant Vice President of Agency Professional Liability Risk Management / BIA Risk Manager. He also worked on all facets of the Big“ I” Professional Liability Program from the overall strategic management and marketing of the Error and Omissions Program to developing a risk management program aimed at reducing claims and helping members better serve their customers.
Hulcher played a crucial role in developing several industry-leading Error and Omission seminars and risk management tools, including the Big“ I” Risk Management website, and the Big“ I” Virtual Risk Consultant. He also served as contributing editor for IA Magazine- writing and managing content for the popular monthly“ E & O Know” column. When he was approached for the executive director role, Hulcher says he wasn’ t necessarily looking for the State Executive role.
“ I had always loved the opportunities I had been given at the Big I,” he said.“ I worked with talented agent leaders and good people, and I enjoyed working with them. I loved the organization and didn’ t really consider a change. But it was opportunity to further my career, and work with good people.
“ For me the most difficult decision factor was to leave my home state where we were close to loved ones and relocate the family. But ultimately, it was an opportunity to work with a great organization and with good people. I felt like I had experience and understand the association business and the insurance industry, so I started talking with members of the KAIA executive committee. I could tell these were very good people, and it just went from there. One of the things I really liked was it would allow me to get closer with member agents, and allow me to get more involved on a one-on-one basis.”
Just weeks into his new role, Hulcher says he’ s excited about enhancing communications with members, deepening relationships with carrier partners and new initiatives, such as expanding market access programs to help members with their difficult and hard to place risks.
“ Everything we do is to support and better serve our members,” he said.“ We advocate on their behalf and do our best to develop products and services to help them. I’ m really excited about expanding the market access program to help agents with areas that are underserved. I want to make sure they have a good place to go for E & S market access.”
And while the association works to support agents, Hulcher said it also advocates for agencies and the industry- in the State Legislature.
As a recent example, during the 2016 session, state lawmakers discussed a proposal requiring Kansas school districts to purchase their insurance through a pool instead of through local agents. Fortunately, this issue died in committee but it could come up again.
“ This is really an important piece of legislation, and our members really need to come together in support against it,” he said.“ By purchasing insurance through an independent agent, it offers schools a choice. They don’ t get that in a pool.”
As he looks to the days ahead, Hulcher is enthusiastic about what the association can accomplish.
“ I hope to bring a positive energy to the organization, dayin and day-out,” he said.“ We don’ t want to just do the easy things for our members but we want to do the right things. I want our staff to keep that in mind every step of the way.”
18 KANSAS INSURANCE AGENT & BROKER | JULY- AUGUST 2016 |