Incoming NAPSLO President Focuses on Regulatory Issues, Technology

When John Latham steps down as president of the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices (NAPSLO) in San Antonio later this month, Tapley O. Johnson, Jr., will take on the office as incoming president and continue moving the organization forward in ways designed to enhance the important role of the surplus lines industry.

Johnson, who is chairman of TAPCO Under-writers Inc., Burlington, N.C., joined NAPSLO in 1985. He has since served in a number of capacities as officer, committee member and committee head.

Johnson said he is looking forward to becoming president of the organization, which was founded in 1975. “It will be a challenging job, but it is one I look forward to doing. John Latham has done very well and I think we all applaud his great accomplishments, but the work does go on.”

Johnson said he thinks the most pressing goal for NAPSLO during his term will be trying to stay up with the various regulatory issues, both state and federal. “An important mission for me will be to keep the membership well-informed on the complex regulation issues that we all face,” he said. Johnson said he believes it is vital that NAPSLO keep members fully informed so they are able to make the best decisions and take the best action possible.

“NAPSLO can have some impact in these areas, but we represent such a small part of the industry, it is often better if we use our position to gather and communicate information and let the members make up their own minds,” said Johnson.

One of the key initiatives that NAPSLO will be keeping a keen eye on is that of federal chartering. “I have read the proposals and I think there is more work to be done.” Johnson said he thinks some form of federal chartering will emerge, but added that at this time NAPSLO is not in a position to take a stand. “There is still more to study.”

Another area NAPSLO will be paying close attention to in the coming year is the continually emerging technology sector, especially as it applies to surplus lines. “With the hard market and development of some capacity issues, we will need to stay on the cutting edge of technology in order to handle the increased volume of business,” explained Johnson.

“This will be a big challenge for us and Mike Ardis will lead this initiative as director of communications and technology. He has already put together a great deal of information in this area and is scheduled to provide a technology update during the convention,” said Johnson.

NAPSLO’s strong education mission will be another priority for Johnson. “I will work to ensure this mission stays on track so that members can stay on top of the latest developments in the industry,” commented Johnson. He said the organization would also continue to work with regulators and others so they can stay well-informed about the role of surplus lines.

A closely allied priority is the internship program, which Johnson said he would work hard to continue to help grow. “Demand for admission still exceeds our ability to place interns and I would like to see us add a couple of more opportunities,” he said. Currently NAPSLO places eight to 10 interns under the program.

Johnson is chair of this year’s convention and believes that, due in some measure to the hard market, the convention may be the largest over the past few years.

“As of Aug. 17 we had 2,167 people registered. I expect that number will exceed 2,200 by the time the convention opens,” he said. “This can have nothing but a positive impact in the surplus lines industry.”

He added that the hard market has been good for the surplus lines industry. “Pricing needed to go up and underwriting needed to be realigned. There is a positive attitude right now and most of us are upbeat about the market.”

“I look forward to the opportunity of serving as president of this fine group and to representing the surplus lines industry,” Johnson said.

Topics California Legislation Excess Surplus Tech Market