KIA&B May/June 2021 | Page 4

PUBLISHER ’ S NOTE

KIA & B

Kansas Insurance Agent & Broker
May / June • Vol . 26 , No . 3
One of the hardest things to deal with during the pandemic was figuring out when to hold our inperson events again . While we successfully transitioned to offering online educational opportunities , we just wanted to provide the opportunity to be together , networking with other members and our industry partners . While Zoom meetings will be part of our future , I think we all need a break from virtual meetings . At the end of April , the President ' s Classic in Salina proved to be a fantastic way to ease back into in-person events . The golf tournament had 27 teams participate , and 140 people attended the reception and Young Agents ’ auction the evening before . The auction raised a record $ 17,000 in support of the Young Agents . While Roger Hower ( Kellerman Insurance ), one of our traditional auctioneers , couldn ’ t be there , Rick and Brock Elliott ( Elliott Group ) and Bryce Hundley ( Hundley Insurance Services ) did yeoman ’ s work in inspiring attendees to bid on items . Overall , the President ’ s Classic was a huge success . We thank KAIA President Doug Smart for hosting the event in Salina that brought us all back together .
I hope you enjoy some of the pictures from the President ' s Classic included in this edition of the magazine . You ’ ll also find helpful information on producers taking a collaborative approach with prospects , helpful hints for avoiding E & O claims , and an article on the Colonial Pipeline cyber hack that reaffirms my belief that all agencies need a standalone cyber policy and should be offering cyber coverage to customers . I also want to congratulate Al Shank ( Al Shank Insurance – Liberal , KS ) on the agency ' s 80th anniversary . It ' s been fun to learn more about family members and their involvement in the agency ' s history .
Stay humble , kind , and thankful ,
OFFICERS OF KAIA President : Doug Smart | doug @ smart-ins . com President-Elect : JoErin Stuteville | joerin @ elliottinsurancegroup . com VP / Treasurer : Lucas Raleigh | lucas @ releighinsurance . biz Secretary / Assistant Treasurer : Kevin O ’ Brien | kevin . obrien @ reillyinsurance . com National Director : Cindy Hower | chower @ kellermaninsurance . com Immediate Past President : Kristy Wilson | kwilson @ kellermaninsurance . com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Zone I Director : Shawn Myers | Smyers @ kellerlleopold . com Zone II Director : Bryan Schmitz | bryanschmitz @ sbsins . com Director-at-Large : Brock Elliott | Brock @ elliottinsurancegroup . com Director-at-Large : David Vogel | dvogel @ provalueins . com Director-at-Large David Sanders | Dave . Sanders @ imacorp . com Young Agents Chair : Bryce Hundley | bryce @ hundleyinsurance . com
KAIA STAFF & CONSULTANTS Executive Director : Dave Hulcher Chief Operating Officer / General Counsel : Beth Smoller Vice President of Finance : Shannon Bower Director of Business Development : Josh Goodman E & O Program Administrator : Barb Wise Marketing & Communication Manager : Chrissey Breault Prof Development & Events Manager : Karlyn Judd Office Coordinator : Barb Cobuluis Account Managers : Valerie Dunnam & Carolyn Rouse KAIA Lobbyist : Dan Murray
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