Association’s Hard Work Pays Off with Success of NAPSLO 2000

“There are leaders all over this room—it doesn’t just have to be in politics, because your business requires great leadership,” Former Senator Robert Dole told NAPSLO attendees. “And I think that most leaders that I’ve really admired always had a positive mental attitude.”

Dole gave the third annual Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation Lecture Series presentation at the 2000 NAPSLO Convention held in Chicago, Sept. 13-17.

The former senator told the roomful of NAPSLO attendees, which included wholesale brokers, companies, underwriting managers and other guests, that his hero is Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th president of the U.S. (1953-1961). “Ike understood that leaders make decisions and leaders live with the consequence—whether good or bad,” Dole said.

A true leader will accept the successes along with the failures. The key is being someone who is able to stand up and take responsibility for his or her actions. “These are the kind of people that make America so great – why other countries look up to us,” he explained. “Success and failure are not polar opposites. Most of us, somewhere in our lives, are going to have ups and downs.”

He closed his presentation with a final thought on leadership by reading the last sentence of a letter Eisenhower wrote during World War II: “If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone.” The story is that Eisenhower was going to hand this letter to the press in the event that the landings at Normandy Beach had failed.

This, Dole said, is the true definition of leadership. “There was no certainty that this invasion was going to be successful, and had it not been successful, a lot more could’ve happened…but [Ike] didn’t blame the weather, or somebody else, or General Montgomery,” he said. “That’s leadership. Think of how many of our country’s problems could be solved if people would just accept the premise of ‘I am a leader; I make decisions; I suffer the consequences.'”

In addition to Dole’s speech, Friday’s programs featured a panel discussion on changes in technology, a recognition of individuals who have recently attained the Associate in Surplus Lines Insurance (ASLI) designation, and a presentation of the Charles A. McAlear/NAPSLO Industry Award. Paul Springman, president of Markel North America (and a NAPSLO past president), was honored with this prestigious award.

Saturday’s program included two panel discussions on the impact of consolidation and reorganization on insurance companies and agents. Whether it’s a merger, acquisition or spinoff, one agent panelist, Marshall Kath, CEO of Heath Holdings USA Inc., called them all “opportunities.”

Randall Goss, chairman of U.S. Risk Insurance Group Inc. and one of the agent panelists, directed his comment toward wholesale brokers. “Consolidation is a natural reaction to the competitive pressures in today’s marketplace,” Goss said. “It’s simply a matter of survival and serving our clients better.”

Horst Lechler, president of Anderson & Murison Inc. and a panelist for the company panel, said that there are still many players looking for business. “Our response is to be very careful to pick and choose the
players that fit in our business plan,” Lechler said. “We need to increase our ability to deal with changes successfully and concentrate on quality insurers.”

Marcus Payne, NAPSLO’s educational advisor and moderator for the agent panel, summed up the impact of consolidation and/or reorganization in one sentence: “Be prepared to lead your organization to success.”

Following the panel discussions was the Annual Business Meeting where new officers and directors were elected. The convention concluded Saturday night with the Annual Banquet.

Next year’s Annual Convention is slated for Sept. 12-16 in San Antonio, Texas.

Topics Agencies Excess Surplus