Bart Straka named PIA National young agent of the year—Small town Wisconsin agent is a champion for new entrants to the business 05/08

Bart Straka named PIA National young agent of the year

Small town Wisconsin agent is a champion for new entrants to the business

By Phil Zinkewicz

Every year, right after Thanksgiving, perennial Christmas favorites abound on our television screens. One of the most well-enjoyed is the cartoon, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” a story we’re all familiar with. It’s about a young reindeer whose very shiny nose causes him to become an outcast among his peers. In the cartoon, believing that he has brought shame upon his family, Rudolph decides to leave home. He meets up with a young elf named Hermey, who is also an outcast because he wants to become a dentist, rather than remain a chuckling toy maker.

Together, they encounter Yukon Cornelius, a prospector looking for silver and gold, only to strike hard rock every time. The three of them are set upon by Bumble, an abominable snow monster and, in order to escape, Yukon Cornelius uses his prospector’s pick to chop out an ice floe, which they use to float away to safety.

Soon they come upon a strange island populated by very unusual toys—a Charlie in the Box instead of Jack, a fish that flies instead of swims, a train with square wheels. Rudolph learns that this place is called the “Island of Misfit Toys” because the toys there are unable to fulfill the roles that society says they should.

In some ways, the “Island of Misfit Toys” reminds Bart A. Straka of the insurance industry. “I don’t mean that people in the insurance industry are misfits, far from it. But it does seem that many of them have come to the industry from different walks of life,” says Bart who is vice president and commercial sales manager for TRICOR Insurance and Financial Services in Lancaster, Wisconsin.

“In my own office, for example, we have one person with a degree in business, but without an insurance background, one person with a degree in agriculture and my degree is in criminal justice. Except for those who grew up with insurance as the family business, most people in the industry have gravitated towards it.”

For that reason, attracting and training young people in insurance has become a cause celebre for Bart. And that is one of the reasons he has been named this year’s recipient of the PIA National Young Insurance Professional of the Year Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual under 40 years of age.

The award itself grew out of recognition on the part of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA National) and The Rough Notes Company, who are joint sponsors of the award, that young talent should be encouraged.

Prompting that recognition was Lewis L. Wilson, former PIA National Director, New York, who wrote in the September 2005 issue of the PIA publication PIAConnection: “In the agency system, there is one thing almost everyone believes: We need to do more to attract young people into our industry. Those of us who have spent many years as independent insurance agents might like to think that we will be around forever. But we know better. As business owners, we know that no enterprise can achieve long-term success without attracting a steady stream of new talent that will one day be in charge.”

Wilson noted that, in several states, PIA associations have sponsored organizations to encourage the young professionals who already work in the industry and attract others to join the industry. He mentioned in particular the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut Young Insurance Professionals associations, which he said, are “thriving groups composed of dedicated young insurance people who gather to network, enable education, engage in charitable works and have fun.”

He said there are similar YIP organizations, councils or committees in Virginia, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Arkansas and other PIA affiliates. But Wilson’s dream was the establishment of a national award. That dream came true in 2006, when the inaugural award went to Peter Thornton of the Thornton Agency in Parsippany, New Jersey.

Bart is the third recipient of the award. He was nominated by the Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin. Ron Von Haden, a spokesman for the association, said: “PIAW was proud to nominate Bart as he was the winner of our Stony Steinbach achievement award last summer. The award is given annually to a PIAW member who exhibits professionalism, diligence, efficiency and enthusiasm on behalf of the association and our members.”

Bart’s accomplishments to date certainly include those attributes. As commercial sales manager, Bart not only assists in the sale of new business and promotes the agency through partnering with insurance companies, but he also works diligently with the agency’s intern program.

“I introduce our agency and the industry as a whole to potential new employees and students seeking career opportunities post-graduation,” says Bart. “I also develop sales goals for each producer and help each person attain that goal by identifying his or her strengths and weaknesses, with emphasis on continued improvement. I sometimes feel like the coach of a team. Each person has a unique set of skills that needs to be utilized, while at the same time working hard to improve areas that are lacking.”

Bart also manages TRICOR Safety Consulting, which consists of three full-time loss control and risk management specialists that work with clients of TRICOR to provide assistance in all facets of safety. “This may include claims management, OSHA compliance, DOT regulations, ergonomic assessment, air and noise quality testing and more,” Bart says.

Bart’s committee appointments include serving on the PIA Wisconsin board of directors: as a member since 2004; secretary in 2006; treasurer in 2007. Bart was chairman and liaison for the Young Professionals Committee in 2003 (chairman), and liaison in 2004 and 2005.

“As chairman and liaison to the YPC, I worked to continue the effort to introduce new young people to our insurance industry. As a group, we scheduled and participated in career and job fairs at universities and technical schools throughout Wisconsin with the goal to shine a light on the career options at both the agency and company levels. We also allowed insurance agencies and carriers to list job openings with PIA and took this information to these fairs so that soon-to-be college and technical school graduates could take advantage of immediate employment opportunities,” says Bart.

In terms of community affairs involvement, Bart is currently secretary of the Grant County Woods and Water Conservation Group, has been a board member of the Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce, works with the Boy Scouts and other youth organizations and is with the Outdoor Mentor Program, among other activities.

Perhaps Bart is moved to help other young people because he received some sage wisdom from the owners of TRICOR. “When I graduated from college, I moved back to my home town, population about 4,500, not knowing what I wanted to do. David Fritz and his brother Bruce are the owners of TRICOR. Dave enlightened me as to the value of the insurance industry and encouraged me to join the organization. I did and have not regretted my decision.

“More than that, I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to work in the insurance industry,” Bart continues. “What I found was a place that would allow me to use my talents to work with people and assist them in protecting their future. Gone are the days when insurance agents were lumped in with other professions with less than stellar reputations. Today’s agent is a professional individual that is highly educated, willing to become a trusted advisor and capable of helping you down the path of security. It sounds strange to many, but what we do is protect people from some of the bad that can shatter their dreams.”

It seems that Bart’s dreams are coming true. He says he couldn’t be happier living in his hometown with his wife, Dana, and their three children, ages eight, six and four. And his work with young people is his obsession.

Those who bestowed the PIA National Young Professional of the Year award on Bart believe in Bart’s mission. Robert Page, PIA National President, says: “Bart is an outstanding example of a young insurance professional who has contributed greatly to his profession, his industry and his community. He believes in giving back to our industry by helping to attract the new talent we all need to succeed. Bart Straka exemplifies the high level of commitment and achievement this award is designed to reflect. Encouraging young people to consider a career as a professional insurance agent must be a top priority for all of us. We are particularly pleased to partner again with the Rough Notes Company in this important effort.”

Walt Gdowski, president and CEO of Rough Notes, had this to say: “Attracting more young people to join our industry is a critical mission. We are pleased to again join with the PIA to recognize the outstanding young insurance professionals who are making our industry their career choice.” *

YOUNG INSURANCE PROFESSIONALS FORM NATIONAL COUNCIL

In February 2008, representatives from several states participated in the National Young Insurance Professionals Advisory Council’s inaugural meeting in Washington, D.C. Held in conjunction with the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA National) Federal Legislative Summit and spring governance meetings, this was the first formal gathering of PIA National young insurance professionals (YIPs) on a national scale.

“The enthusiasm and support of PIA’s national YIP initiative was evidenced by the attendance of a variety of PIA affiliate representatives,” says Donna Chiapperino, chair of the PIA National Young Insurance Professionals Advisory Council.

“The council meeting was comprised of veteran YIP groups such as New York, New Jersey, Louisiana, Wisconsin and Virginia/D.C., as well as spokespersons from states that were in various stages of YIP association development such as Nebraska, Oregon/Idaho, Hawaii and others,” Donna continues. “The diversity of the group allowed for conversations about how to start a YIP task force, generate membership, run successful events, reach out to colleges and college students, and recruit board members.

“Through our discussions, we confirmed that recruiting young insurance professionals is not just a state problem, but a national problem,” Donna says. “Recruiting young talent into our industry, and training and keeping them focused on a career in insurance once we have them here is an even larger problem.

“By continuing to meet, network with one another and brainstorm, we hope to provide PIA National and the PIA state affiliates with ideas and input to help the independent agency system continue to thrive,” she concludes.

“The perpetuation of independent agencies and the insurance industry as a whole demands that we attract America’s best and brightest young people,” explains PIA National President Robert Page. “The PIA Young Insurance Professionals groups currently thriving in a number of states have proven to be a valuable tool in both recruiting these young people and nurturing their development. That’s why PIA National is making a concerted effort to foster the growth of YIP groups in states that don’t currently have one.”

The National YIP Council plans to meet at least once a year to facilitate idea-sharing, networking and growth among YIP members and YIP groups, as well support states in starting YIP groups. All PIA-affiliated states are invited to participate in the Council. For more information about the National YIP Council or starting a YIP group in your state, contact PIA National.