Outgoing IBA West President Jeff Malone, CIC, presented the Ramsden/Sullivan Memorial Award to Jerry W. O'Kane, CAE, during the 2000 installation held earlier this year.
"The award is the most prestigious award IBA West can bestow on an individual," said Malone. "It's given only when a deserving individual merits this high honor."
O'Kane serves as chief executive officer of IBA West, the West Coast's largest producer trade association.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin and serving as a Peace Corps volunteer, O'Kane began his insurance career working in computer programming and insurance rate making with Kemper Insurance.
He was selected to serve as manager-secretary of the Chicago Board of Underwriters.
The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of California (IIABC) recognized O'Kane as a leader and selected him to serve as executive vice president in 1982. O'Kane earned his Certified Association Executive designation in 1985 and played a major role in the success of IBA West as a combined broker and agent organization following the consolidation of IIABC and Western Association of Insurance Brokers in 1995.
Recently, California Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush appointed O'Kane to serve on the Commissioner's Agent and Broker Advisory Panel. He also served as chairman of the licensing and continuing education advisory boards in both California and Illinois.
"His expertise in all facets of the insurance business, coupled with his ability to assemble strong team players, has created a standard of excellence for the industry," Malone said. "His vision and willingness to see change as a catalyst and not an obstacle will only continue to enhance the industry's viability. His active involvement produces results that have long-lasting impact."
Arizona
Meridian Insurance Group expands into Arizona
Meridian Insurance Group, Inc., announced that it has been approved by insurance authorities in Arizona to sell property and casualty insurance in that state.
Meridian expects to offer personal auto, homeowners and umbrella coverage in Arizona, first to Sam's Club cardholders through its arrangement with GROUPadvantage®, under which Sam's Club members can purchase this coverage at Sam's Club locations. This will be expanded later to direct distribution of personal auto and nonstandard auto insurance via InsWeb, the Internet's leading insurance marketplace, and through specialized independent agents.
Meridian last year added Georgia, Kansas and Maryland to the states in which it offers products. With Arizona, Meridian now sells property and casualty insurance in 19 states. Meridian Insurance Group, Inc., provides automobile, homeowners, farmowners, other personal lines of coverage, and commercial insurance.
California
Broker to expand services
Robert F. Driver Co., Inc., has acquired Stafford Consulting Group, an executive search and consulting firm, to form Driver's executive search department.
According to Driver CEO Tom Corbett, "This merger is a major step toward further diversifying our business to offer a wider array of business consulting services that benefit our clients."
Peter Stafford will serve as director of executive search. Norma Stafford will serve as vice president and Chris Stafford will serve as assistant vice president of executive search.
Robert F. Driver Co., Inc., headquartered in San Diego, has offices throughout California and is the third largest independent brokerage in the state.
Real changes underway at "virtual" association
IBA West members can use the power of the Internet to make their job easier and to enhance the power and value of the association.
During the past several months, IBA West has undertaken a major project to create a virtual association that can accommodate the internal database, as well as a new IBA West Web site for members.
When the project is completed, the state-of-the-art system is planned to provide efficiencies, features and savings to members. The database that IBA West has used for 15 years has been integrated into the new system, meaning that the association can forgo the expense of purchasing mainframe computers.
The expanded and improved IBA West Web site will allow information to be tailored to individual members depending on their location. A member in Sacramento, Seattle or Honolulu will find information that is both relevant and timely.
Some 300 members will be selected to participate in a trial run and provide feedback on the new system. The project also includes collecting e-mail addresses from members and their employees to increase the reach and power of information, political action, publications and continuing education.
South Dakota
Electronic commerce bill is enacted
A bill facilitating electronic commerce in South Dakota was passed by a unanimous vote of 63-0 and the governor signed it into law on March 1, 2000. SB 193 states that an electronic signature satisfies any provision requiring a written signature.
The National Association of Independent Insurers (NAII) is a strong supporter of efforts such as this to modernize the insurance business. "Enactment of SB 193 will enable business to be carried out more quickly and efficiently," said Laura Kotelman, NAII associate counsel. "Since the bill is strictly voluntary and requires the approval of both parties involved in a transaction, everyone will benefit.
"SB 193, which closely follows the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL), is good for business." *
©COPYRIGHT: The Rough Notes Magazine, 2000