PUBLISHER ’ S NOTE
KIA & B
Kansas Insurance Agent & Broker
November / December • Vol . 25 , No . 6
We ’ re finally through the 2021 membership renewal process . I want to thank you for your continued support of KAIA .
The dues renewal process can be a labor of love . Sometimes , trying to get our members ’ attention at renewal time can be challenging .
Occasionally , we run into a member who questions the real value of membership . We understand that this comes with the territory of working for an association . In 2021 , it is a strategic priority to make sure we are communicating the value of the products and services that we offer .
KAIA ’ s work is like an iceberg where only the top 10 % is visible above the surface while 90 % resides below . Many don ’ t see the work we do below the surface . Daily you ’ ll find us answering questions , conducting research , maintaining industry relationships , making connections , and developing new products and services .
In this edition , you will find a legislative update on what we can expect from the 2021 session . You will learn about a new producer licensing bill , which resulted from much work below the surface with multiple conversations and meetings over the course of several years with our friends at the Kansas Insurance Department . KAIA negotiated firmly for a balanced licensure bill . We ultimately saved Kansas agencies , on average , approximately $ 830 annually from originally proposed fees .
In this edition , we ’ ve worked to provide you with essential information regarding key considerations when purchasing E & O coverage , mistakes to avoid enabling more agency growth , and the ever-popular audited 2019 financials for pools operating in Kansas .
We are truly grateful for your support of the industry through membership to KAIA . Know we , along with the Big “ I ” national staff , work day-in and day-out on your behalf - both above and below the surface
OFFICERS OF KAIA President : Kristy Wilson | kwilson @ kellermaninsurance . com President-Elect : Doug Smart | doug @ smart-ins . com VP / Treasurer : JoErin Stuteville | joerin @ elliottinsurancegroup . com Secretary / Assistant Treasurer : Lucas M . Raleigh | lucas @ releighinsurance . biz National Director : Cindy Hower | chower @ kellermaninsurance . com Immediate Past President : Lee Gleason | lgleason @ kfsa . 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 : Austin Renn | austin @ rennandcompany . com Director-at-Large : Kevin Campbell | kcampbell @ unitedagencyks . com Young Agents Chair : Bryce Hundley | bryce @ hundleyinsurance . com
KAIA STAFF & CONSULTANTS Executive Director : Dave Hulcher Vice President of Finance : Shannon Bower Vice President of Member Experience : Joan Sutton Vice President of Agency Services : Elizabeth Smoller Legal Counsel : Will Larson 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
Stay humble , kind , and thankful ,
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