President's Message

COLLECTIVELY LOBBYING FOR A DIVERSE MEMBERSHIP

As a three-state organization, we often have to be neutral in our allegiances, recognizing our diverse membership. We say all three states do a good job with crab cakes, when we know Maryland perfects it. We say the Eagles and the Ravens are decent football teams, when of course the Steelers are the best....

When it comes to our government affairs work, the same can be said. In what is proving to be an extremely contentious and divisive election year, IA&B simply puts its head down and only considers the best interests of our members when lobbying. We know our membership base is just as diverse about its politics as it is about its sports teams. No matter who we support legislatively, chances are it may be questioned by one side of the political spectrum or the other. But please know, our support is by no means an allegiance to one party over another. We go into our government affairs work with only one thing in mind – who has the best interests of independent insurance agents in mind.

Our lobbying teams in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware spend time meeting legislators on both sides of the aisle to discuss issues that are important to insurance agents and their business. In our conversations, we identify who supports our cause and who may not be as supportive. We then use member-donated PAC funds to support our allies in the legislature. We may not agree with every position a legislator takes, but we have vetted them enough to know they will protect our livelihood.

Of course, the perfect scenario sometimes arises where an IA&B member agent becomes a legislator, like Jeff Olsommer – who you will meet in the pages ahead. And it goes without saying – we greatly appreciate the PAC donations made by our members, who we recognize in this edition as well. It’s your generous support that allows us to fight the good fight in our three state capitals.

Onward and upward,

Jason F. Ernest, President & CEO