Big I MN Members,
I am very excited and humbled to be the new Big I President. It is such a great experience to spend time with board members, agents, and partners who are so dedicated and passionate about the insurance industry.
My insurance career started when I was 18 years old. I have spent time answering front desk calls, running personal lines quotes prior to comparative raters, handling Medicare, individual health, group benefits and commercial insurance. During my career I have shoveled sidewalks, purged paper files, transitioned management systems, hired, fired, gained, and lost. While I have spent time in many roles, the relationships are by far the most rewarding. I have gained what feels like a lifetime of memories with many wonderful carriers and agents that I now call my friends.
This year is going to be as important of a year as ever for insurance in MN. Changes with AI will provide new tools to agents but claims in cyber will become more sophisticated. As we make progress with legislation in some areas, new concerns will emerge. The carriers are continuing to make changes to terms in conditions with the hopes of getting back to profitability.
The Big I MN knows, and more importantly understands, what agents are going through. I wish I could simply tell you that this year the market is going to turn. That we will win all the legislative battles and have a deep understanding of the impact of AI. I can’t promise those things. What I can promise is that I am available to you. I welcome your ideas, would love to be a thought partner for you, and assure you that I am going work hard to show you the value the Big I MN provides.
Outside of work, I have three wonderful children and am married to my high school sweetheart, Samantha Olinger. I am proud to be a volunteer firefighter and coach baseball, football, and hockey. As a family we love spending time up at our cabin on Big Sandy Lake in McGregor.
I am looking forward to serving as the President of the Big I MN.
