PUBLISHER’ S NOTE
OUR MEMBERS MAKE IT HAPPEN written by Dave Hulcher
I want to start out by thanking Bryan Schmitz and the SBS team for putting on one heck of a President’ s Classic Golf Tournament and YAK Auction. The event combined fun, fundraising, lost golf balls and a new love for the Seneca, Kansas community. We raised a record-setting $ 25,000 and took a big step forward on the Young Agents of Kansas community project supporting children undergoing cancer treatment.
In this edition of KIA & B, you ' ll find a full breakdown of the 2025 Kansas legislative session and our time in Washington, D. C. at the Big“ I” Legislative Conference. From crop insurance and tax reform to health care and disaster resiliency, our advocacy efforts continue because of your support and engagement.
We ' ve also included market updates and articles focused on the personal lines marketplace – whether it’ s educating clients on rising roof claim costs, understanding the implications of new wind / hail deductibles, or exploring how personal lines raters and InsurTech solutions are reshaping our workflows.
And if you’ re looking for data to drive client conversations about why their premiums are changing, don’ t miss our summary of 2024 Kansas storm events – it’ s a useful tool to talk through coverage gaps and risk management strategies.
As always, please reach out to the KAIA team if you need anything.
Stay humble, kind, and thankful,
KIA & B
MAY / JUNE 2025 • VOLUME 30 No. 3
OFFICERS OF KAIA President: Bryan Schmitz | bryanschmitz @ sbsins. com President-Elect: David Vogel | dvogel @ provalueins. com VP / Treasurer: Brock Elliott | brock @ elliottinsurancegroup. com Secretary / Assistant Treasurer: Bryce Hundley | bryce @ hundleyinsurance. com National Director: Jo Erin Stuteville | joerin @ elliottinsurancegroup. com Immediate Past President: Kevin O’ Brien | kevin. obrien @ reillyinsurance. com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Zone I Director: Cristi Werth | cwerth @ ruraltel. net Zone II Director: Chris Bohrer | cbohrer @ wic. insurance Director-at-Large: Scott Strickland | scotts @ cacu. com Director-at-Large: Natalie Magill | nmagill @ capfed. com Director-at-Large: Russell Winn | russell @ winninsurance. com Director-at-Large Christine Teagarden | christine @ trulyins. com Young Agents Chair: Haley Marsicek | haley @ cardinalinsuranceservices. com
KAIA STAFF & CONSULTANTS Chief Executive Officer: Dave Hulcher COO / General Counsel: Beth Smoller Vice President of Finance: Shannon Bower E & O Program Administrator: Barb Wise AVP of Prof. Dev. & Marketing: Karlyn Judd Director of Marketing: Valerie Gardner Director of Business Development: Patrick McCoy Membership Engagement Specialist: Ruth Wright Office Coordinator: Barb Cobuluis Acct. Managers: Valerie Dunnam & Carolyn Rouse KAIA Lobbyist: Dan Murray
2 KANSAS INSURANCE AGENT & BROKER