From the Boardroom

Why PIA?

Bob Wolfgram - Director, PIA of Wisconsin

My name is Bob Wolfgram and I’m in my first year of service on the PIA Board of Directors. Our board is made up of men and women with different backgrounds. Some, like myself, have their own small independent agency, while others are part of much larger agencies. They have a huge range of experience. For myself, I was a captive agent for the first 19 years of my insurance life, and now have an equal number of years serving on the independent side. Some have less experience, but all have vast amounts of industry knowledge.

I joined the PIA in 2007, when I started my own agency as part of the Couri Group, in Waukesha.

I was like a lot of other members of the organization. I read the magazines and looked through the emails about industry news, but that was pretty much it. The content was, and continues to be, a wealth of great information. We are kept abreast of what is happening with legislative changes that affect what we do for our living, as well as what is happening in Washington, D.C. through our PIA National affiliation. But, like anything else, you get out of it what you put into it.

About 6 years ago, I took my first PIA outing to Minocqua for the PIAW Winter Get Away. This is where I started to understand the real value of belonging to this professional group. Besides the 9-10 CE credits that were available for this event, it was the camaraderie that was quickly established. I enjoyed bowling, entertainment, breaking bread with others who share our common bond. I can’t think of anyone in our industry who does not enjoy the feeling of helping others. These are great people to hang out with!

There are other outings as well. Young Professionals have their Annual Golf Outing, a trap shooting event in the late spring and the PIAW Annual Convention. All fantastic opportunities to mingle and create lasting friendships with others that share our career paths. I’m 61 years old and feel that getting involved with this board was one of the best things I have done for my career at this point. It feels like a good shot in the arm.

Many of you have been involved in one way or another with PIA of Wisconsin and already understand what I’m saying. But, some of you are brand new to PIA. For those who are new, I cannot encourage you enough to reach out of your comfort zone and contact the staff or one of us on the board to learn how you can get involved. Come to the convention (Sept. 29-30 in Green Bay), join a committee, pursue a new professional designation. I guarantee you will get more out of it than you put in.

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Brought to you by The PIA Partnership – PIA’s national carrier council. Partnership companies include:

• Encompass Insurance • Erie Insurance • Liberty Mutual • MetLife Auto & Home • National General Insurance • Progressive Insurance • Selective Insurance Group • State Auto Insurance Companies • The Hanover Insurance Group • Travelers • West Bend Mutual Insurance Company