FROM THE PRESIDENT
I am excited to pass the torch and can’t wait to see what our New PIAW President will accomplish...
JULIE ULSET, CPIA President, PIA of Wisconsin
PASSING THE TORCH Wow, it is already my last article before I turn over the gavel to the new PIAW President. It’s been an amazing, stressful year with lots of Zoom meetings and figuring out strategies for our members to be together and congregate safely. Despite all the challenges we faced, PIAW has accomplished more since last September than I ever expected to be a part of. Our Advocacy efforts have been successful and I am proud to have played a role. On April 1st, I testified at the Senate hearing on the Insurance Cybersecurity Bill. Board Member and Past President Tracy Oestrich testified at the Assembly hearing in May, and it later passed both houses. I was able to attend and represent PIA as the bill was signed into law in July by Governor Evers. It was a memorable experience to be a part of. I also attended the PIA Clay Shoot which was a great success. We raised about $10,000 for our PIA PAC to help our advocacy efforts continue to grow. I plan join in the fun again and even try shooting next year – you should too! Brenda and the Education Committee did an amazing job with having Education events via Zoom, offering important topics as well as variety. The new Life & Health FOCUS topics are interesting and timely and constant webinars are available to keep members up to date on insurance topics, CIC credits, and CISR designations. The Education Committee has been working hard to bring forward new ideas and products to help our members expand their insurance knowledge with more to look forward to coming soon. PIA’s Young Professionals Club (YPC) had another amazing golf outing at The BOG in Saukville, this year, giving away $24,000 in scholarships to aspiring insurance professionals. Many of the SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 [ 4 ]
scholarship winners were able to join us at the reception. I was able to talk to a few of them about their future goals. A couple already work in the insurance field, and I was extremely happy to see that PIAW can support these young adults as they work to advance in the industry. ENGAGE 2021 is coming up quickly. I am so excited to be able to engage with my fellow members at our Annual Convention on September 29-30th. New feel, new program, shortened convention is what our members told us in 2019. With 2020 being put on hold, the anticipation has been building and we cannot wait to ENGAGE at the Hyatt in Green Bay! Of course, we have education for our CPIAs on September 29, from 8:30 am -4:00 pm. Sam Bennett does a great job with this program, and you won’t want to miss it. I am hosting a welcome “Engagement Party” that evening with food and fun before we all head out to the brand-new complex of The Turn. If you haven’t seen this place, you have to check it out! It’s amazing! It will be an early morning on the 30th with our Annual Business Meeting, but make sure you get breakfast and hit up the Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar beforehand. Please attend, as we want all of our members’ input at this important event. The afternoon will be filled with learning, fun, and oh yeah – JORDY NELSON will be there too! I can’t think of a better way to end out my Presidency. It has been an amazing year, and I want to thank all of our agency members, board members, and company and associate members for all of their support. I am excited to pass the torch and can’t wait to see what our New PIAW President will accomplish with PIA in the coming year. See you at ENGAGE 2021!
