Toops Scoops: Agents Name Their Top Industry Influences

It's August, and once again, the school year beckons.

It's as good a time as any to think about education–whether formal or informal–and the people who have influenced us in our careers and in our lives.

I recently asked agents and brokers on some shared groups who they considered their main industry influences. The responses to this informal poll were about as varied as the respondents. Some cited recognized industry leaders; others nominated family members who guided them in the business.

Here, in no particular order, are the names they mentioned:

Jeff Yates. The choice of Big I's Agents Council for Technology (ACT) executive director is no surprise, especially since many of the nominations came from tech types. Jeff's fans consider him, in the words of Angelyn Treutel, a “tremendous asset to the insurance industry (who) works tirelessly to help agents and carriers and vendors work together to improve technology to enhance profitability and provide a better consumer experience.” Added Cyndy Smith: “He makes it comfortable and possible for as many who want to participate to have a voice in making it a better business for all of us to be in.”

E.J. Leverett. Founder of the University of Georgia's Risk Management and Insurance Program, Dr. Leverett was University of Georgia's strongest proponent of risk and insurance management throughout his 27-year tenure at UGA. He is also credited for more than 100 articles and several textbooks in the field. Recalled Rick Viall, CPCU, CIC: “(Leverett) brought an agent from North Carolina in to speak to our class. He made the point that no matter how much the technology (cost), it was peanuts compared to the labor savings and he wanted the best he could buy at any juncture. That was 1981.”

Peter W. Nauert. Chairman and CEO of Access Plans USA, a nationwide distributor of health insurance and non-insurance healthcare programs for the uninsured and underinsured, Nauert was a well-known public speaker and published author in the insurance industry and philanthropist who died in 2007. “He was controversial, opinionated and enthusiastic. What else could you ask for?” (Merl Miller)

Edwin L. Lamont, CIC. Ed, a frequent contributor of AA&B's “Strictly Sales” column, teaches Dynamics of Selling for the National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research in Austin. “Ed has been my mentor for the past three years and is the reason I fell in love with insurance sales.” (Matt Brown)

Burnett D. “Bud” Haylor. Founder and CEO of Haylor, Freyer & Coon, Inc., “CEO of our agency at the time I started in the business. He ignited my passion for the industry – teaching me the value of the independent agent to our communities.  He also recognized the value allowing HF&C staff to participate in industry level organizations to contribute to direction of industry as well as bring knowledge back to agency to make a better organization.” (Cyndy Smith)

Gray Nester. The senior vice president/IT ADS group services manager at BB&T Insurance Services is “an example of a business-oriented CIO getting involved with the community at large.” (James McGovern) and has “a remarkable way of getting involved and getting to the heart of the matter. He too works tirelessly for the industry as a whole.” (Tina Clay)

Lloyd “Skip” Daigle. AVP, agency development at Travelers, was a major supporter of personal lines growth and development in the independent agency system. He died in 2010. “His 'procedures must match philosophy' was and still is a strong statement. (Marilyn Barker)

Dan King, director of agency development, Travelers. “Dan is another great leader in the industry; he handles all agency development classes for Travelers.” (Christopher Paradiso)  

Others mentioned:

“My dad Mike Greco was my biggest influence and still is today.” (Tom Greco)

“Mine was Louis Schlitt, the owner of the first insurance agency I ever worked for. At the age of 19 and in college, I had no idea what I really wanted to do for a career. Louis inspired me with his insurance and automation knowledge, his ability to predict future trends in the industry, and his personal involvement with the Agena Users Group – both as an industry advocate and a member of the R&D committee.Twenty three years later, I have no doubt that I would not be where I am today without his guidance and mentoring.” (Tammy Wickard, Angela Adams Agency & Consulting)

And for the record, here are mine:

Nick Shuman. Former Chicago Sun-Times editor and my journalism mentor in college, whose first comment to me was, “Can you type?” He helped me land an internship and a job after graduation. He died in 2009.

Kathryn J. McIntyre. The editor and publisher of Business Insurance, Kathryn knew and loved both reporting and insurance. I remember her editing my stories, chain smoking and peppering me with questions. At a time when insurance was really a business for old white men, she was one of a kind. She's now a farmer in New Zealand.

Sam Friedman. Kathryn's counterpart at NUP from way back when. A top-notch news guy and insurance expert. But you already know that.