PIA Loses West Coast Members
By Mark E. Ruquet
NU Online News Service, Oct. 11, 10:27 a.m. EST – The Professional Insurance Agents Group is leaving the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents to go its own way.
The Sacramento, Calif.-based association, which represents more than 1,000 agencies in California, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico, board of directors decided last week it would cut its ties to the Alexandria-based association, said Alan A. Smith Jr., president of PIA Group.
"It was just a business decision," said Mr. Smith. "We just felt we should reallocate our resources and that we can do more on a local basis. We are a large, well-funded organization, and feel we can put our funds to better use in the four state area."
He said the national association was officially notified of the decision Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Mr. Smith said there are no plans to merge or organize with any other agent organizations.
"That is a non-starter," he declared.
However, the disaffiliation does open up the opportunity for PIA Group to form affiliations and alliances with other groups, including direct agents.
"We are going to explore all opportunities available to us," Mr. Smith said.
The decision also means a name change for the group to the Association of Insurance Professionals Group.
Mr. Smith said the decision was a difficult one for the organization to make, but that there was no sense of bitterness toward the national.
"That is what business decisions are all about, difficult decisions," Mr. Smith noted. "We went through a very considered process, did a very in-depth review, and called many, many members."
He said the decision received the full support of the membership.
A letter to members from association Chairman Peter Brown of Farallon Association Insurance Brokers, in San Francisco, was sent out Thursday to officially inform members of the decision.
In a statement, Carl G. Stoecklin, president of the national association, said it disagreed with PIA Group's decision, which takes affect Dec. 31, but would welcome any agents in the group to the association.
He said that PIA Group's decision would not change the focus of the national's strategy to focus on federal and state legislative and regulatory matters of interest to independent agents.
The association, said Mr. Stoecklin, would offer membership to any PIA Group member after Dec. 31.
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