The Big “I” National Young Agents Committee (YAC) partnered with Trusted Choice to create a special bonus series of content related to the hard market on Agency Nation Radio. This week’s episode features Bryan Clinkscales, Owner of Boone Ritter Insurance and Big “I” Executive Committee Member, and Trey Sinclair, Owner of Wells Insurance Agency and current Vice Chair of the Legislative Council at the Florida Association of Insurance Agents. In a conversation moderated by Daschle Larsen, National ...
May 01, 2024•28 min•Ep. 450
Sometimes an insurance niche finds you. Other times, you pave your way based on your passion. On today’s edition of Agency Nation Radio Podcast host Toni Jones, Senior Vice President of Transportation Marketing, at Palomar Insurance Corporation, talks with three independent agents about curating a niche business. Our guests include Ryan Teubner, Producer with Rich & Cartmill, Crystal Fox, Founder and Creator of Beauty Queen Insurance and Lydia Ramos, Account Manager, and Regional Brand Coord...
Apr 25, 2024•27 min•Ep. 450
On this edition of Agency Nation Radio, we hear from Kevin Ownby, owner of Ownby Insurance Services, Inc. from Sevierville, Tennessee. Ownby has been a Big “I" member for as long as he's been an independent agent. However, it wasn't until the Affordable Care Act was proposed and ultimately passed into law that he became more aware of the importance of the association's government advocacy on a state and national level. “If we’re not advocating for what we do as an industry and educating legislat...
Apr 18, 2024•13 min•Ep. 449
On this special Women’s History Month edition of Agency Nation, host Avery Moore, President ECI Insurance in Edmonton, Oklahoma, and a member the Big “I” national Young Agents Committee, leads a discussion with remarkable leaders who’ve carved their own paths in the independent agency system. Joining the conversation are Michelle Middleton, president of Berkley Mid-Atlantic Insurance Group; Patience Noah, Principal/Owner of Patience Noah Insurance in Framingham, Massachusetts; and Jamie Bowden, ...
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 448
On this episode of Agency nation Radio, Sarah Cooke, director of personal lines at WalkerHughes Insurance in Indianapolis, Indiana, shares how the agency took technology into their own hands to overcome challenges in the hard market. Named as the Outstanding Large Agency in the 2023 Liberty Mutual and Safeco Agent for the Future Awards, WalkerHughes began developing “Violet,” a proprietary software that acts as the agency’s personal lines management system, in 2016. “We have so many pressures no...
Mar 13, 2024•10 min•Ep. 447
Members of the Big “I” National Young Agents Committee partners with Trusted Choice to share information about the hard market as part of a special bonus series on Agency Nation radio. Guests Adam Risman, Commercial Risk Advisor at Risman Insurance, and Haley Meisner, SVP of Independent Agency Distribution Strategy at Liberty Mutual, went behind the microphone to talk about the importance of relationships between agencies and carriers. This discussion, moderated by Cassandra Koegel, a member of ...
Mar 06, 2024•21 min•Ep. 446
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Will Jones, editor-in-chief of Independent Agent magazine, is joined by an expert panel to discuss the intricacies and challenges of hiring at independent insurance agencies, as well as some much-needed winning solutions. As the insurance industry marks Insurance Careers Month, Claudia St. John, president of The Workplace Advisors, an HR consulting and training firm; Nolan Duda, partner and client experience manager at IdealTraits, a recruiting platform bu...
Feb 28, 2024•32 min•Ep. 445
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Jarrard “Rod” Powell Sr., agency principal at Encore Insurance Group Chesterfield, Virginia, shares his unique experience in insurance. Powell grew up cutting records and touring as an R&B artist, but by the time he reached his 30s, he was looking for a more stable career. After breaking into insurance through claims and benefits, Powell realized that “insurance was not only something that I could do, but something that I would enjoy,” he says. “And lo...
Feb 14, 2024•19 min•Ep. 444
The Big “I” Young Agents partnered with Trusted Choice to deliver information on the importance of mentorship as part of a special hard market bonus series on Agency Nation Radio. Guests Krista Kautz, Producer at Berrong Insurance, and Stewart Berrong, Owner of Berrong Insurance, were interviewed by Cash McMillen, National Young Agents Committee member, on their partnership as mentor and mentee. The conversation provides best practices for finding a mentor, approaching the relationship, and the ...
Feb 07, 2024•25 min•Ep. 443
In this episode of Agency Nation Radio, host Nancy Germond, Big “I” executive director, of risk management and education, explores the evolving landscape of middle market insurance in 2024. Featuring an in-depth interview with Sandra Little, CEO of CEO, SKL Risk Consultants, Pheonix, Arizona the episode offers insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by middle market clients. They talk about renewals, regulations, and emerging technologies and give their predictions on the hard marke...
Jan 31, 2024•27 min•Ep. 442
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Jonathan Lugo, producer at FirmSecured powered by Veritas Risk Management in Johnson City, Tennessee, shares his remarkable journey from intern to specializing in real estate insurance. Discover how he carved out a niche within an established agency, bringing entrepreneurial spirit and expertise to a specialized market. He discusses the importance of understanding client needs, the art of specialization, and balancing quality with competitive pricing in to...
Jan 25, 2024•11 min•Ep. 441
During this episode of Agency Nation Radio, the Big “I” Young Agents and Trusted Choice share their insights on building staff morale as part of a special hard market bonus series. Guests Brock Elliott, National Young Agents Committee (YAC) Chair and Producer at Elliott Insurance Group, and Lisa Lemanski, Operations Manager at Meiers Lombardini Lemanski Insurance, talk about how they keep a positive culture during this hard market with Avery Moore, owner of ECI Insurance and member of the Nation...
Jan 17, 2024•44 min•Ep. 440
On this episode of Agency Nation radio podcast, the Big “I” Young Agents and Trusted Choice are teaming up to bring you the first episode in a special hard market bonus series. Guests Cash McMillen, National Young Agents Committee member and Vice President at the Cashion Company, and Patricia Clawson, CEO of Clawson Insurance and member of the Florida Young Agents Council, talk about renewals in the current marketplace. In their conversation, moderated by Taylor Hendrickson, Director of the Youn...
Jan 03, 2024•56 min•Ep. 439
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Will Jones, editor-in-chief, Independent Agent magazine, is joined by Charles Symington, the new Big "I" president & CEO. Amid the hardest market in a generation, a technological revolution and consolidation within the independent agent and broker channel, Charles joins Agency Nation Radio today to discuss his first 100 days at the helm of the association, as well as what the future will look like for the Big “I.” Agency Nation Radio is where insurance...
Dec 27, 2023•32 min•Ep. 438
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, meet Erin Dop, an independent agent at Fullenkamp Insurance in West Point, Iowa. She did not join the family agency immediately after graduating from the University of Iowa. Instead, she was encouraged to build a foundation elsewhere, which she did by working as a commercial underwriter for a carrier. However, five years ago, Dop's grandfather passed away, helping her realize that “family is one of the most important things," she says. The thought drew her...
Dec 13, 2023•15 min•Ep. 437
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio Podcast, we explore the intersection of parenthood and professional growth with Lori Mihalich-Levin, the founder of Mindful Return. Lori shares insights, challenging stereotypes and offering practical strategies for both working parents and leaders seeking to foster a more supportive work environment for employees at every stage in life. Guest hosts Jana Foster, owner of Nevada Insurance Agency Co. and Jesse Konold, partner at BridgeMark Insurance Solutions...
Nov 22, 2023•47 min•Ep. 436
Join us for an inspiring conversation with David Garcia, the President of Rancho Mesa Insurance Services Inc. in San Diego, California. Discover how David transitioned from a career in professional baseball to founding a Best Practices agency with a unique approach to specialization. Learn about the agency's commitment to giving back, their innovative programs like SafetyStar™, SafetyOne™, and their dedication to impacting their clients' businesses positively. Tune in to find out how this agency...
Nov 09, 2023•10 min•Ep. 435
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Cassandra Keogel, sales executive with Eastern Insurance Group in Massachusetts and member of the Big “I” national Young Agents Committee, is joined by two very special guests: Max Revenue, half man, half meme, 100% producer, and Micah Salas, senior vice president at the Christensen Group Insurance. Together, they created the producer playbook, a 5-module video course for growth minded agents. As producers in the trenches of the hard market, they share sal...
Oct 25, 2023•37 min•Ep. 434
TrustedChoice.com employees have taken over the IA Advantage podcast once again with breaking news! Listen as Steve Gomez, Director of SEO, and Viviana Buzo, Director of Marketing, look back at TrustedChoice.com over the last decade and share the SEO strategies the company has employed leading to a major SEO event.
Oct 18, 2023•15 min•Ep. 433
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Ray Robertson, principal of Limestone Agency in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, sits down with Olivia Overman, content editor of Independent Agent magazine, to discuss his agency’s 175-year-old roots in Kentucky, community involvement and more. Robertson joined the agency in 1996 after spending several years working as a marketing representative in eastern Kentucky. Moving back to Mount Sterling with his expectant wife and young child was like a homecoming for R...
Oct 12, 2023•13 min•Ep. 432
Grab your favorite beverage and settle in for a conversation among friends on this edition of Agency Nation Radio podcast. Mike McBride your new Big “I” chairman and president of Mason-McBride, Will Lemanski owner of Meiers Lombardini Lemanski Insurance and Lisa Lemanski, agency operation manager of Meiers Lombardini Lemanski Insurance explore the importance of actively engaging in a supportive business community. Tune in as these insurance professionals, all hailing from Michigan, share their o...
Sep 28, 2023•27 min•Ep. 431
IA Advantage Presented by TrustedChoice.com Chip and team announce major product news, revealing more options and greater control over prospecting for individual producers.
Sep 20, 2023•35 min•Ep. 430
In this episode of Declaration of Independence on Agency Nation Radio Podcast, Osiris Maldonado, the co-founder of Pronto Insurance located in Schaumburg, Illinois sits down with Will Jones, Independent Agent magazine editor-in-chief. Osiris shares her journey from car sales into agency ownership and how educating her staff and the community creates a ripple effect of loyalty and success. “I always thought, if I ever had an agency, I would do things differently,” says Osiris. “A lot of agencies ...
Sep 13, 2023•15 min•Ep. 429
On this edition of Agency Nation Radio Podcast guest host Nancy Germond, ARM, AIC, ITP, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, executive director, risk management and education sits down with Karen O’Connor Corrigan, CIC, CIRMS, president, and owner of O’Connor Insurance located in St. Louis Missouri and one of the foremost experts on community associations. Together they provide an update on the state of the multifamily housing market. The Foundation for Community Association Research Factbook reported that 52.9% of ...
Aug 23, 2023•24 min•Ep. 428
Join us for Declaration of Independents on Agency Nation Radio, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the insurance industry. On this episode, we meet Jason Rodriguez, the managing partner at Prominent Insurance in Wilmington, Delaware. From his entrepreneurial journey growing up in Brooklyn to serving on the board of the Delaware Association of Insurance Agents & Brokers, Rodriguez is on a mission to make insurance not just a profession, but a passionate pursuit and opportunity fo...
Aug 09, 2023•7 min•Ep. 427
There’s no doubt insurance marketplace is harder to navigate, with economic pressures and increased natural disasters leading to rising premiums. How do you best support your clients, agency staff and successfully navigate the hard market? Tune into this episode of Agency Nation Radio Podcast, hosted by Kelley Donahue-Pirro, owner of Agency Performance Partners, who sits down with two experienced agency presidents, Michelle O’Connor of O’Connor Insurance in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Matt Si...
Jul 26, 2023•29 min•Ep. 426
On this edition of Declaration of Independence, on Agency Nation Radio podcast, host Olivia Overman, content editor with Independent Agent magazine, sits down with Crystal Fox, the founder of Beauty Queen Insurance, a division of the Smith Sawyer Smith agency in Rochester, Indiana. The pandemic brought Crystal’s makeup career to a halt leading her to find new opportunities as an independent agent. Recognizing a gap in the market for an insurance agent with specialized knowledge of the beauty ind...
Jul 12, 2023•25 min•Ep. 425
What does the next generation want in a career? How does the insurance industry align with what Generation Z wants in a profession? We uncover the connections on this edition of Agency Nation Radio podcast. Guest host Cassandra Koegel with Eastern Insurance Group and a member of the Big “I” national Young Agents Committee talks to Will Huang, recent graduate of St. John’s University Risk Management and Insurance program and intern with the Big “I” Invest education foundation. Together, they talk...
Jun 28, 2023•16 min•Ep. 424
David Watson, executive vice president of Mappus Insurance, South Carolina sits down with Will Jones, editor-in-chief of Independent Agent magazine to share his origin story on this edition of Declaration of Independence on Agency Nation Radio podcast. After working for State Farm and Allstate, David became a Farm Bureau contractor and in 2016 he founded a scratch independent agency, BlueLake. However, he quickly noticed mundane tasks like lead generation and data entry were holding him back. Th...
Jun 07, 2023•17 min•Ep. 423
Chip learns the story behind Rocket Referrals' name change when he and Torey Maerz, CEO of ClientCircle and veteran IA channel insurtech leader, catch up for the first time since COVID.
May 31, 2023•29 min•Ep. 422
