President:

Matt Lennox, CPCU

Vice President:

Laura Wood, CPCU

Treasurer:

Tony Thelen, CPCU

Secretary:

Jason Jerome, CPCU

Directors:

Nicole Smith, CPCU

Bryan Pung, CPCU

Olivia Edgar, CPCU

October 2018

President’s Forum

Matt Lennox, CPCU Chapter President

Your 2018 Chapter Board

Volunteer Spotlight

Lisa Custer, our chapter’s Industry Day (I-Day) co-chair, is this month’s volunteer in the spotlight! Very fitting, considering Lisa is hard at work getting ready for the event, which will be held Oct. 29 at the Crowne Plaza Lansing West hotel in Lansing. Planning our annual I-Day event is a rewarding and demanding leadership position to have with our chapter. After careful thought and consideration for topics, Lisa found not one but four speakers to help educate our members on key initiatives in the industry. This can be a challenging task because of our tight budget as a nonprofit organization. Here is a list of some of the responsibilities and tasks Lisa does for our chapter:

Works with our corporate sponsors, seeking donations to support I-Day

Coordinates all event details for I-Day, along with being the master of ceremonies

Attends board meetings and provides feedback and suggestions

Lisa is the manager of the strategy & planning team at AF Group and has been in the P&C insurance industry since 1994, when she started with a small agency as a high school co-op student. Her career has spanned a va-riety of roles in both the agency and company side of the business, including: underwriting, project manage-ment, operations management, and licensed agency producer. After attaining several other industry designa-tions, she completed her CPCU in the spring of 2016 – in time to celebrate in Hawaii! Her favorite quote is, “If you obey all of the rules, you miss all of the fun,” (Katherine Hepburn) and appreciates the opportunity that has come from getting involved with our chapter. As a committed professional to this in-dustry, Lisa appreciates the opportunity to give back and network with others. If you haven’t attended one of our I-Day events, I highly encourage you to do so. You won’t be disappointed. Thanks for volunteering, Lisa!

Published monthly from

September through June

Editor:

Andy Flanagan, CPCU

Auto-Owners Insurance Company

6101 Anacapri Boulevard

Lansing, MI 48917-3968

Phone: (517)886-1980

Fax: (517)886-8750

flanagan.andy@aoins.com

The submission deadline for the November newsletter is

Nov. 5 If you know of promotions or other noteworthy ac-

complishments involving

CPCUs, please send them to the editor using any of

contact methods listed.

2019 New Orleans Sept. 21-24

2020 Washington D.C. Oct. 3-6

2021 Orlando, FL Sept. 25-28

Mid-Michigan Chapter CPCU Newsletter

Future CPCU Annual Meeting Sites

I-Day Monday, October 29 Wednesday, Nov. 21 Thursday, Dec. 20

Meetings

Future Chapter Meeting Dates

Connect with us on Linkedin at

Mid-Michigan CPCU Society

October Speaker Spotlight

Jessica Garcia

Dr. Jessica Garcia joined the Michigan State University’s

Department of Sociology in August 2009 and the Office

for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives in 2014.

In addition to teaching, Dr. Garcia serves as an intercul-tural education specialist. In this role, she contributes to

the design and coordination of education and develop-

ment programs to enhance critical dialogue and conflict

management skills with faculty, staff and students.

In addition, Dr. Garcia supports office initiatives to en-

hance climate for the campus community, and in consultation with campus

stakeholders, implements strategies that support the recruitment, ad-

vancement and retention of diverse faculty and staff at MSU.

Reserve Your Seat

Date: Monday, October 29, 2018 Menu: Hawaiian chicken

Where: The Crowne Plaza Lansing West or

Bacon-wrapped pork loin Time: 11:30 a.m.

Cost: $25.00 Contact: email Laura Wood at wood.laura@aoins.com

Please RSVP no later than 4:00 p.m. October 22, 2018

Past Meeting Highlights

Jill McCook, president-elect of the CPCU Leadership Council, spoke to the Chapter’s new designees prior to conferring them at our September meeting.

A total of 22 of the Mid-Michigan Chapter’s 38 new designees (pictured above) attended our September meeting, which also served as the CPCU Society’s Mid-Michigan Chapter New Designee Conferment Ceremony. Here are the names, in alphabetical order, of the new designees: Trenton Barnes, Kreg Bawks, Andrew Brouillette and Kaylene Candela, Auto-Owners; Todd R. Clark, Farm Bureau; Alexander Cole and Meghan Connolly, Auto-Owners; Jacquelyn Corey and Michael J. Dake, Accident Fund; Benjamin Elliott, Auto-Owners; Elizabeth S. Fox, Farm Bureau; Samuel Fox, Jonathon Geer, Jason Giddings, Nicholas Hammond, Richard Herr and Nicholas Jones, Auto-Owners; Steve Killingsworth, Michigan Insurance Bureau; Devin Kisor, Auto-Owners; Joshua C. Korson, Farm Bureau; Karri McManus, Ackley-Peters-Haubert Insurance Service; Caroline Menzie and Dawn Merritt, Auto-Owners; Gavin Mills, Hanover Insurance Group; Brandon Norton, Kyle Oosterhoff and Anthony Pomerson, Auto-Owners; Jared Robertson, Accident Fund; Tonya Rodriguez, Auto-Owners; Warren Rojewski, Nationwide; and Michael Saxton, Alton Schneider, Steven Shedlock, Rachel Showalter, Daniel Sutherlin, Tricia Thelen, Stephen Wheelock and Adam Widdop, Auto-Owners.

Chapter News

Mid-Michigan Chapter ‘Stronger than Ever’ after 50 years! By Daniel Briggs, CPCU, Farm Bureau Insurance

Fifty years – WOW! That’s truly an amazing milestone for anything, huh? Back on Oct. 22, 1968, 20 CPCUs signed the original Mid-Michigan CPCU Society Chapter constitution, marking the official start of our Chapter. Ten years ago, on our 40th anniversary, Mark Cotter (former Chapter president and one of the most dedicated volunteers ever) wrote, “We are in the best shape of our existence.” Mark closed by saying “… (W)e can rightfully anticipate a bright future and that each suc-ceeding Chapter year will be better than the last.” Well, Mark, your words were prophetic and the Chapter has indeed soared to record heights in the past 10 years! Our chapter has rebounded from some rough years back in the early 2000s. We came close to asking the Society to put the Chapter on “inactive status.” Meeting attendance was beyond low, we had major trouble filling board positions and we were almost without a presi-dent in 2005-06 until the very last minute. Fast forward to 2018: Chapter growth has exploded and monthly meeting attendance is now at or above 200 consistently! Awesome to see that, believe me! It’s amazing to see how the Chapter has evolved since attaining my designation in 1989. I was fortunate to serve in many capacit ies on the board, including a year as president (1994-95). Some of my favorite years were spent as both webmaster-newsletter editor and also organizing our annual golf outing for close to 20 years! The opportunity to work with so many great professionals and to make lifelong friends along the way has been very rewarding! The Chapter’s community involvement, through “Day of Caring” activities and our annual “Good Works” projects, has greatly benefited many in the Mid-Michigan area. Recently, I asked our former membership chair Debbie Harris to share some of her thoughts on her time as a Chapter member. Debbie said, “Looking back over 20 years since I first joined the Mid-Michigan Chapter in 1998, I see how much our chapter has really grown. Attendance has gone from about 40 back then to over 200 attendees at a monthly luncheon meeting! It ’s exciting to see membership now over 300.” Debbie added, “My conferment destination in San Diego was one of the largest groups in Society history. One of the discussion topics back then was, ‘How do we grow the membership?’ Since then, there have been two very large Hawaii conferments, which added a large number of new designees to the Society and certainly our own chapter.” Debbie’s final thought was, “A couple of the many benefits I received through the monthly meetings was getting to know so many good people from various companies and building great relationships with them, and also an opportunity to gain leadership experience. Twenty years has gone by quickly, but the Chapter is going strong and continues to make a positive impact on CPCUs in the insurance industry.” Well said, Debbie! Our Chapter has done very well in its first 50 years! It takes a ton of volunteers to keep a chapter of our size running smoothly. Hundreds of members have been a part of this success over the last 50 years. Many more will be in the future. The Chapter will continue to be “stronger than ever” going forward! Mid-Michigan Chapter’s Most ‘Seasoned’ Members Twenty-six active Chapter members have held their designations over 20 years: Name Year of Designation William G. Carney, AF Group 1984 J. R. McGraw, McGraw Law Firm 1984 Kenneth E. Bauer, Auto-Owners (retired) 1985 Rhonda J. Fossitt, State of Michigan 1986 Joseph Michael Murphy, EMC Insurance 1986 Gary S. Onstad, AF Group 1986 C. Mark Cotter, Auto-Owners (retired) 1987 Daniel L. Briggs, Farm Bureau 1989 Michael D. Tungate, Tungate Insurance Agency 1989 Beverly J. Barney, MI Association of Ins. Agents 1990 Donald A. Schroeder, Walton Agency 1990 John Charles Campbell, Hanover Insurance 1991 Joseph L. Dykhuis, Auto-Owners 1991 Gary M. Mandley , Auto-Owners 1991 Michael J. Molesky, Twohey Maggini PLC 1991 Steven J. Elias, CMS Energy Corp. 1992 Thomas J. Messner, America One, Inc. 1992 Dean G. Rabish, Eydent 1992 Jeffrey D. Twait, Auto-Owners 1992 Terry L. Schaaf, Auto-Owners 1995 Bruce E. Cowgill, Auto-Owners 1996 Jeffrey L. Frank, Farm Bureau 1996 Stephen D. Buell , Auto-Owners 1997 Scott A. Erney, EMC Insurance 1997 Debbie R. Harris, Auto-Owners 1998 Michelle A. Kroupa, Citizens Insurance 1998

CPCU Society I-Day

The chapter will be presenting the 2018 I-Day on Monday, Oct. 29, 2018.

Registration:

Please RSVP by Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, to Matt Burke at

mburke@fbinsmi.com.

When registering, please provide the following information:

• Name

• Company Name

• Attendance Option (Entire Event—$35, I-Day Only —$10)

• Meal Choice (for lunch attendees)

Checks:

Please send your payment in advance of the event.

Made out to:

Mailed to:

Mid-Michigan CPCU Society

Auto-Owners Insurance Company

Attn: Tony Thelen

6101 Anacapri Blvd, Lansing, MI 48917

CPCU I-Day Schedule Emcee: Lisa Custer & Matt Burke, I-Day Co-Chairs,

Mid-Michigan CPCU Society Chapter

7:30 AM

Sign in, enjoy rolls and coffee

8:00 AM

Welcome and introduction of speakers

Lisa Custer, Accident Fund Matt Burke, Farm Bureau Insurance

8:05 AM

Dyck Van KoveringGeneral Counsel

Insurance Alliance of Michigan

8:50 AM Abel Travis

Director of InnovationAF Group

9:30 AM

Chaz KingRegistered Representative

Modern Woodmen of America

10:05 AMNetworking Break

10:30 AM Keynote SpeakerVic Verchereau

North Star Inspiration

Contact Lisa Custer for questions

Lisa.Custer@accidentfund.com or

517.708.5645

Fees:

Entire Event: $35 (includes I-Day & Lunch)

Lunch Only: $25

I-Day only: $10

Location:Crowne Plaza

925 S Creyts Rd

Lansing, MI 48917

Lunch Menu:

For I-Day attendees:

Coffee and continental breakfast

For lunch attendees:

• Hawaiian Chicken Or

• Bacon-wrapped Pork Loin