Saying Goodbye to an Industry Friend

We received some unfortunate news here at the Insurance Journal offices only a few short weeks ago. Jim Hippard, president and CEO of Santa Ana, Calif.-based Yates and Associates, passed away after a battle with cancer. The news hit hard in the industry. Many remember Jim for his great sense of humor and caring heart.

I personally had only met Jim once. I had interviewed him a handful of times on the phone and finally got to put the kind voice to a face at an industry convention. The five minutes or so I spent chatting with Jim were some of the most memorable in my insurance writing career. I will never forget the funny ads that came across my desk every two weeks, or the magic tricks and jokes Jim shared at the convention, or his optimistic attitude about life in general.

Jim Hippard was a great friend to the industry and will be missed sorely by all those who knew him. His passing was marked by letters from industry associates and friends expressing nothing but kind words for Hippard and his family, as evident by the many comments posted to the Insurance Journal Web site.

“Jim was truly a mentor to many of us,” wrote Barbara Parker-Hatch, vice president at Yates and Associates. “He taught us how to laugh and how to say yes and how to see the best in all of our peers. The industry has been blessed to have had the opportunity to have this ‘Star’ shine in our lives. I will miss my mentor, my boss and one of my best friends forever more.”

Jim Warlin, owner and broker of J. Warlin Insurance Services, wrote, “As we all know, Jim was QUITE the man…and had a tremendous sense of humor. Our industry has lost one of the BEST and he will be sorely missed, not only at my agency…but throughout our business. Please extend our sincerest and deepest sympathies to his family and the staff at Yates and Associates who will (no doubt) miss him the most. Rest in peace, Jim.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hippard family and the entire staff at Yates & Associates. We will miss Jim.