From Your CEO Answering the "Why?" and the "How?" I've been blessed to have had a great career in the insurance industry, and when I sold my agencies in 2018, I'm sure many thought that chapter of my life was closed. So why would I come back to this industry when I have achieved success in it already? Why would I take on a new role as Insurors CEO when I hold an elected office in the State Legislature? Why would I want another "challenge" in this stage of my life? The answer is simple – this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up, because the insurance industry is a part of me.
How Will We Improve?
Insurors of Tennessee is an "institution" in the world of insurance. The legacy spans over 127 years and has built such a relevance in our state that people who don't even know what we do still recognize our name. Even though I was a "captive" or "direct writing" agent for my career – I knew the significance of Insurors of Tennessee and what it meant to be a member. Now I have a chance to be a part of all of this.
One of the fundamentals is interaction with our members on a more personal level. I am also committing to you that Daniel, Jim, Nick and myself will be more active in visiting our members and their regional communities. We are going to provide more face-to-face value for our members and make sure they are seeing tangible return on their membership investment.
When I look back on it, the 35 years I've spent in the insurance industry doesn't seem like it has been that long. But 35 years doing anything is a long time, especially in a world where people often change careers multiple times. But I love the insurance industry, and what we do to help the people of our communities. Although some may consider it cliché, I think we would all agree that there is something very special about helping your insureds in their time of need. Whether it's a burned down office building, a tornado-blown house, a costly accident or a widowed spouse – the satisfaction of helping people get a part of their life back is immeasurable. I loved helping my insureds when I was an agent, and I can't wait to help you better support yours as Insurors CEO. We are in a changing world, so I know there are things that are going to need to be different for our Association. But I also know that we didn't get to be 127 years old by not keeping the things that make this organization great. I will commit to you that we will find a balance between our solid foundation and making sure we improve – all while keeping our identity intact. The Tennessee Insuror
So, where do we start? I have committed to your Board of Directors that I will personally reach out to every member agency in this organization by the end of the 2nd Quarter in 2021. I want to get to know you, get to know your business, and hear your feedback on how we can improve. Once I have completed those conversations, we're going to begin to implement needed changes and also reinforce some of our fundamentals.
We're also going to work with the Big "I" to make sure the value they bring is more evident to our members. There are many products and programs that they offer, and I don't want those to get "lost in the shuffle" of other opportunities. I really think they can bring significant additional value to many of our agencies. And finally, I am going to bring an agent's perspective to the conversations we have and decisions we make as a staff. Our Board directs us on our strategy, but I also have an obligation to implement that strategy in the best way possible for our members. I think I can bring some of that agent mindset to our day-to-day implementation as we look to Educate, Protect and Support you all.
“Now I have a chance to be a part of a l l o f t h i s .”
Let Me Know How Else to Help Please feel free to reach out to me at rtravis@insurors.org or call my cell phone at 423.618.0649 with any thoughts, questions or concerns you may have. I am here to serve you, the members of Insurors of Tennessee. And remember – I love this industry! u
Ron Travis 25
