A Year in the Clouds

“Can you see down yet?” my wife muttered. “How much longer until we land?” Hearing Mary as we returned from our latest trip to the West Coast on Big “I” business sent me into a bit of a trance and helped me focus on my very last magazine column during my IIABA chairmanship. The past year has been one heck of a ride!

Since 1983, when I was the president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Minnesota, the association has been a big part of my life. Who would have ever thought things would have gone the way they have?

In earlier columns, I have reminisced about the first meeting I attended as a young guy. How impressed I was the first time I walked into the board room; the largeness of it all. The U-shaped configuration, with members from all over the country, sitting behind their flags, listening to reports from committee chair people on subjects that were often foreign to a guy from Minnesota.

I remember my first legislative conference. The briefing on subjects that I had studied for hours in the hopes of making a difference with our congressmen and senators who I would visit soon. The excitement in the air and the almost pregame atmosphere that something big was about to happen. The first meetings on the Hill, and how cool it was to see independent insurance agents everywhere that day. I guess you never forget your first time!

My first committee assignment was with markets development, and I remember the shock I felt that the markets we had no problem attracting in the Midwest were not so abundant all over the country. I remember a meeting that I had with a woman living in the South who couldn’t attract any companies into her town because of their geographic location and the almost impossible volume requirements that were being placed on her. I remember what it felt like when we were able to help her contract with some standard companies by using the clout of the national association. That got me thinking about a need I never knew existed; the thought was the precursor to the Eagle Agency that we have today.

I remember all of the work on our Virtual University. The constant trips to the board begging for more money and attempting to convince everyone that our agents wanted and needed something like this—that things were changing in the world of education.

I remember the surprise I felt at the luncheon announcing that I had received the Woodworth Memorial Award. I remember how cool it was to walk into the private luncheon after the ceremony and be welcomed by all of my heroes in this business. I still get that feeling each year! The history in this group is just unreal.

I remember running for a position on the executive committee and the mixed emotions that brought. How nervous I was for eight months. How everyone seemed to look at their shoes when I walked into a room, and how elated I was to win. How grateful I am for that experience and all of the great people I’ve gotten to know all over the country as a result.

I thought about all of the wonderful places I’ve gotten to visit as a result of this work. The Northeast, dotted with its bustling cities, as well as incredible seascapes and mountains. The South, with its hospitality (really, the commercials are right!). The parties on the beach and the incredible fishing in the Gulf, along with the sunrises and the sunsets. The West and Northwest with their jagged mountains and colorful vistas. The Southwest, with the openness, expanse, ethnicity and food. Oh man, I loved the food. And the Midwest, my home, with its rolling fields and incredibly friendly and welcoming people! It is always good to get home. What a great country we live in.

I thought about the incredibly dedicated staff people I’ve had the honor of working with. Most of them are still with us, and some unfortunately are gone. Many of these people weren’t agents and never had been, but they were visionaries who had an uncanny knack of knowing what was good for our members and what wasn’t. At times they had to drag us, kicking and screaming, into uncomfortable places, patiently waiting for us to come out the other side and experience success. Sometimes change is hard.

I’ve thought about my time on the executive committee. How much joy I’ve gotten from working on the projects that we’ve seen come to life. What wonderful friends our “family” has become. Not just regular friends, but “soul friends,” the kind of deep friendships that are stored in a different part of your heart. I’m a lucky guy. As we started our descent into Minneapolis and the airplane turbulence began, I felt a gentle squeeze on my wrist, and heard a voice say again, this time a little more in earnest, “Can you see the ground yet? Are we almost down?” Yes honey, I can see the ground, and the sun is breaking through the clouds. We’re gonna be back on the ground soon.

What a trip it has been! Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Big “I” chairman.