December 2023 Member News

As 2023 draws to a close, I'd like to think back on my best experience from the year.  It was the marriage of my son Dominic and his wife Gabrielle.  I gained a daughter!  What is your favorite memory of the year? Did you write a new piece of business that you are proud of? Did you accomplish something on your goals list? Many of our Young Professional Agents welcomed new members into their families.  What are you reflecting on?

At PIA of VA & DC, this year has been one of growth and change.  Kevin Kowar, our beloved Association Executive, retired and began a new chapter in his life.  I was promoted to the new Association Executive which left an opportunity for us to hire Charletta Jones, our new Director of Education.  Ami Critcher was hired to take over as the Marketing and Events Planner since we had a vacancy in the Marketing department.  Lisa Farnham has taken on both Virginia and North Carolina in our PIA Insurance Services Agency.  Despite not being new, Carol Throckmorton has assumed leadership in a systems migration.  Our group has taken charge and developed new bonds with one another.  With everything that has transpired in the last year, we now have a fresh perspective on 2024 and how it will benefit our members by providing them with improved benefits, education, and technology.

This year, our volunteers have been quite active!  During the transition, John Potthast, our new Association President, took over as president and has since set the standard for us this year with an emphasis on membership and our members.  We moved to a new location for our 2023 convention. Planning and conversation have already begun for 2024, where a new location with a family-oriented focus is planned.  Heather Etheridge and Carla Marks will be leading this effort.  The leadership of the Young Professional Council (YPC) has changed to Melissa Ferguson and Rab Imobisa.  We are excited about their plans to help our Philanthropic Committee by participating with the Special Olympics not only in June this year but their fall program as well. In 2024 we will also see them get together at the Polar Plunge where I am challenging our volunteers to get in the water with me.  Keep an eye out for additional details regarding this event.  Under the direction of Cole Tucker, our Education Committee is constantly searching for methods to support agents in achieving their educational objectives, whether it be obtaining a designation or simply coming up with compelling CE topics.  Beginning on December 15th, the Legislative Committee, chaired by Dave Comey, will convene every Friday to debate proposals and legislation up for vote in the forthcoming session.  Now serving as PIA National's Immediate Past President, Gerald Hemphill dedicated a great deal of his time this year to traveling to other states and taking center stage on the national arena in support of the independent agent.  Without the countless hours, hard work, and enthusiasm of these people as well as the countless more volunteers who are committed to supporting PIA of VA & DC, we could not have done 2023 without ALL of you!

This year has undoubtedly lived up to the adage that the only thing that is constant in this world is change.  In 2024, we look forward to serving you, our members, and collaborating with our volunteers. While we anticipate further change, we will continue to maintain you, our members, as our true focus.