August 2023 Member News
From the Executive's Desk
This is my final article as your Association Executive as I will be retiring on August 31st after 8 years with PIA and 45 years in insurance. It’s been quite a ride.
Someone recently asked me what I would miss most in retirement and my answer was quick and simple – the people.
Despite all the technology, this is still a people business. It’s about relationships. And I have been blessed with many – my staff, agents and our carrier partners. You all have been a part of my journey and I am forever grateful for all of you.
In a previous article I said that I was trying to figure out what I was going to do in retirement and I have come up with a list of six as no one thing can replace my full-time job.
Here are some of the things I plan to do:
1. Learn Italian
2. Play more golf
3. Spend more time with my grandsons ages 6 and 9
4. Travel more with my wife to tropical climates
5. Do volunteer work
6. Write
Thank you all for this opportunity and for your support over the past 8 years. I hope our paths cross again.
Kevin P. Kowar, CIC, AU
Association Executive
Kevin Kowar, CIC, AU
PIAVADC Association Executive
Scenes from the
2023 PIA VA/DC Convention
Va Beach, Va
One of our very favorite moments of the PIA VA/DC 2023 Convention!
Spending time at Beachside Social with our Special Olympics friends!
Save the Date:
June 20-21, 2024
Great Wolf Lodge-Williamsburg, Va
2023-2024 Slate of Officers
The PIA VA/DC Governance Committee, which serves as the bylaw required Nominating Committee for Directors and Officers, chaired by Carla J. Marks, CIC, CISR and including Board Member – Past President S. Cole Tucker, CIC, CRM, LUTCF; as well as Past President Gerald F. Hemphill, CIC, LUTCF; Past President Robby Grandy; and Past President Vaughan Alexander, CIC, CCB, AFIS met on May 17, 2023 regarding board candidate nominations.
The slate of nominations for PIA VA/DC Board Officers for 2023-2024 is as follows:
- President John Potthast, CPCU
- 1st Vice President Richard Moore LUTCF
- 2nd Vice President Campbell Pendleton, CIC
- Secretary/Treasurer Shannon S. Springer, AMP, CAWC, CLCS
- Joshua T. Sojda, CIC, Immediate Past President
Nominated for a three-year term on PIA VA/DC Board of Directors is Heather M. Etheridge, CISR of Marks-Tiller Insurance Agency of Roanoke, VA.
Nominated as National Director for a term of three years is S. Cole Tucker, Jr., CIC, CRM, LUTCF.
Nominated as Director-at-Large for a term of three years on the PIA Insurance Services Board of Directors are Campbell Pendleton, CIC, Robby Grandy and Gerald F. Hemphill, CIC, LUTCF.
Officers nominated for PIA Insurance Services are Joshua T. Sojda. CIC, for President and John Potthast, CPCU as Secretary-Treasurer who, per the bylaws, serve in these by virtue of their PIA VA/DC offices.
In accordance with the bylaws, this serves as the official meeting notice for our Annual Meeting scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 12, 2023 via a virtual meeting.
If you would like to nominate others for Officer and/or Board Member positions, please do so by emailing Rich@mooreinsuranceagency.net no later than June 30, 2023.
Richard L. Moore, LUTCF
Secretary/Treasurer
Move Over or Slow Down Law Expansion
In Virginia, there is a new law effective July 1, 2023: as an expansion of the current "Move Over" law, drivers must now #MoveOver or #SlowDown when possible for any vehicle on the side of the road with flashing red, blue, amber, or hazard lights.
#MoveOverSlowDownVa
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From PIA National
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Introducing Winning@Customer Retention
Demonstrating the value of working with an agency is key. That’s where Winning@Customer Retention comes in. It's a new program from the PIA Partnership designed to help agencies improve customer service and retention. We’ve pulled together resources to help track client retention rates, segment, and communicate with customers.
The program puts spotlight on technology and solutions that play a big part in improving customer communications, referrals, and enabling agencies to select the right solutions and be proactive. Winning@Customer Retention includes a mix of online materials and tools and in-person and virtual sessions and events.
In the event of cyber business interruption, insurance covers loss and costs in excess of normal operating expenses required to maintain the business and restore operations.
PIA National is happy to introduce the PIA 401(k) Program. It is a turn-key, low-cost solution for agency owners and their employees and performs over 90% of administrative tasks by becoming your retirement department support team.
The PIA 401(k) Plan provides what employees want and what independent agents need to deliver it, in an efficient and cost-effective way.
In an increasingly virtual world, it’s critical that you know how to build relationships online. That’s why PIA National has launched its latest member benefit, The Agent Experience.
"We’ve built this tool to expand your views about building relationships in a virtual world—and to provide access to resources that will help."
