Linda Jorgensen, CPCU, CLU, AIC, of Walnut Creek, CA, is a new designee and member of the CPCU Society’s Mt. Diablo Chapter. She is a life and financial services specialist with Farmers Insurance Group in Pleasanton, CA. Linda has spread the word about the CPCU designation to more than 20,000 fellow employees, in articles featured on Farmers’ intranet and company magazine about the academic excellence award she received from the American Institute for CPCU for her outstanding achievement while pursing the CPCU designation.

“The posting on the Intranet site ran for a week and was accessible by all Farmers’ employees, roughly 13,000 who went to the site at that time. I had 27 personal congratulatory e-mails from Farmers friends I have worked with over the past 23 years.”

The article also ran in the November/December issue of Farmers’ quarterly company magazine Farmers Today, which reached 22,000 current and former Farmers’ employees.

“Many of my Farmers friends contacted me after hearing about my CPCU success and were very proud of me. Some of them already have CPCUs but many haven’t finished yet, so I encouraged them to keep going and see it through to the end. It was such a sense of accomplishment to have finally finished; if I knew it would feel that good, I would have finished sooner!”

Linda looks forward to her new life as a CPCU Society member. She’s reordered her business cards to reflect her new designation, and she’s updated her e-mail signature line with the CPCU designation. She enjoys the social part, too!

“I attended my local Mt. Diablo CPCU Society Chapter December meeting and met some wonderful people. I look forward to the wine, cheese, and chocolate tasting this month!”

Thanks, Linda, and to all CPCUs, for your continued efforts to “Spread the Word!” about the CPCU designation!

Cindy Baroway, CPCU, of Lakewood, CO, is the Colorado Chapter’s public relations chairperson. She has her own insurance consulting practice, Baroway Group, LLC, and she’s been busy spreading the word about the CPCU designation to her clients and those she’s come in contact with through her two part-time positions at the Community College of Aurora.

As both an adjunct faculty member at Community College of Aurora (CCA), where she teaches CPCU classes, and a former part-time marketer of CCA’s insurance classes and seminars, Cindy has taken advantage of several great opportunities to spread the word.

“While at CCA, we would do road shows where we would go into local carriers’ offices, usually over the lunch hour, and set up a table with a PowerPoint presentation on the various insurance designations and the classes CCA offered. We would have brochures on hand and other materials that explained the various designations. Our intent was to enroll students in our classes, as well as promote the CPCU designation. Our name tags included our designations, along with our business cards.”

Cindy says that when she speaks in front of agents on behalf of CCA, she asks how many of them have a designation. Often, Cindy says, she is the only person in the room who holds a CPCU or any professional designation. “That generally gets the discussion rolling on what it means to have the designation and how it has helped me,” she says.

In November and December of 2004, Cindy facilitated an ethics seminar on behalf of CCA on about five occasions, as well doing so once in January 2005 to local agents. She is also a master facilitator for the CPCU Society National Leadership Institute course, “Facilitative Leadership Skills,” presenting yet another opportunity for her to spread the word. “Sometimes, especially when the course is held locally, I will have participants who do not have their CPCU!”

Cindy says her greatest reward spreading the word “has been the interest that others have expressed in what the designation means, how to receive the designation, and what opportunities exist within the CPCU world. Once the person is engaged, he or she wants to know everything about CPCU!”

Thanks, Cindy, and to all CPCUs, for your continued efforts to “Spread the Word!” about the CPCU designation!

Rose Manley, CPCU, of Rochester, NY, is the Rochester Chapter’s president, where she’s been an active member for the past 10 years. During her term as president, Rose has spread the word about the CPCU designation to her community through a variety of chapter-sponsored events.

This past fall was an especially busy time of “Spread the Word!” activities for Rose and her fellow chapter members! The Rochester Chapter’s Good Works Project was held September 18, 2004, where members volunteered at The American Red Cross annual Fire and Ice Event. The chapter had a booth at its annual I-Day, September 22, where brochures and information on CPCU course offerings were available to attendees. On October 14, the chapter partnered with The Financial Planners of Rochester and held a two-hour, two CE credit seminar: Non-Performing Fixed and Variable Life Insurance Products.

The chapter’s annual “View from the Top” was held November 11. Speakers at this event included presidents and CEOs from three major insurance companies who shared their views on the insurance industry in western and central New York. On December 1, the chapter partnered with The Independent Agents and Brokers of Monroe County and held a social gathering and wine tasting at a local winery.

The new year is busy for the Rochester Chapter, too! Chapter members are also teaming up with Harleysville Insurance Company and National Flood Services by holding a four-hour, four CE credit Flood Seminar March 9. To top off their busy season, they are also working with Hartford Steam Boiler to set up a continuing education seminar on equipment breakdown in May.

Rose has been in the property and casualty business for the past 29 years, holding various positions throughout her career in underwriting, marketing, and management. She’s recently accepted a position as a Quality Control Consultant at The Hartford Insurance Group in New Hartford, NY, where she started February 21.

“I’m sure that I will find opportunities at The Hartford to spread the word. I plan on hanging my designation in my office, and my business cards will have my designation listed. I am also planning to become an active member of the Utica Chapter and share what the Rochester Chapter has done to spread the word.”

Rose says her greatest reward when she spreads the word is . . .

“. . .conveying the importance the designation brings with it. It opens doors of opportunities. Earning the designation is just the start. You need to believe in what it stands for and live up to its Code of Ethics every day. I’m extremely proud to hold the CPCU designation.”

Thanks, Rose, and to all CPCUs, for your continued efforts to “Spread the Word!” about the CPCU designation!

Terrence Y. Junn, J.D., CPCU, CLU, ChFC, FLMI, FFSI, of Los Angeles, CA, is a field compliance coordinator for State Farm Group in the Los Angeles area of California. He was born in Seoul, South Korea, but raised in San Francisco, CA. Terrence now calls southern California his home.

Terrence says that insurance education and “spreading the word” are always a part of his daily interaction with those he works with, including fellow compliance professionals, agents, policyholders, and customers. When meeting with agents and insurance professionals, Terrence says the simple act of giving out his business cards, in which his CPCU designation is displayed following his title, gives him a further opportunity to spread the word.

Terrence is also a member of many professional societies and organizations that organize and plan events throughout the year. He says these events allow him opportunities to promote insurance education and awareness, while sharing the value of being a part of the CPCU Society.

“Because the CPCU designation is so well-respected and recognized in the insurance industry, many see me as a credible and accurate information source. While discussing insurance topics, I have an opportunity to segue into my own path toward the CPCU designation and explain what it takes to obtain a CPCU.”

Terrence’s greatest reward spreading the word, he says, is knowing that he’s helping to educate others—even those not in the industry—“to equip themselves today for the life events that they will face in their futures and their family’s futures.” He says he’ll continue to spread the word by recommending the CPCU program to insurance professionals, emphasizing that it will set them apart from others in this highly competitive industry. Terrence believes that even for someone without lofty career goals, the knowledge acquired from the CPCU is invaluable for everyday life.

“CPCU knowledge can provide not only a roadmap for insurance needs and financial planning, but it can also help you identify the tools and means that can help you achieve those goals. In a highly competitive industry, the CPCU designation helps raise the bar for professional standards especially during a time when insurers and financial services are being heavily scrutinized.”

Thanks, Terrence, and to all CPCUs, for your continued effort to “Spread the Word!” about the CPCU designation!

“I make these presentations to introduce the insurance industry as a possible future career path. It is rewarding to receive questions from the students and to see their interest. This is the second year I’ve given these presentations, and each year both the CPCU Society and ISO have generously supported this educational outreach effort. It is a very satisfying experience for me,” Doug says.

In last month’s school presentations, Kahn explained how the CPCU designation has given him an understanding of insurance. He told the students that every occupation today can be so specialized. He shared with them the view that if they want to enter the insurance industry, then the CPCU designation will provide a broad understanding of many topics—insurance, management, accounting, risk management, company operations, and law.

He said to the students: “While there are exceptional people in the industry that succeed very well without the designation, at least for me, the CPCU coursework has been a valuable tool for my growth and development.”

Doug also actively spreads the word to his ISO colleagues, where he says his greatest reward is “when others come to me asking for my opinion on what courses they should study. Having the opportunity to work with people I respect a great deal, and then to have them ask for my thoughts, just makes my day.”

Doug says he’s simply doing what others did for him.

“I do work with some others who are in the process of obtaining their CPCU designation, and as we periodically discuss their efforts and progress, I offer my encouragement. I'll never forget a particular challenge I had while taking the finance and accounting course in 1990—also my last course. A manager who already had her CPCU spent eight hours after work over a four-day period to help me master the material. Without her help, I'm not sure I would have succeeded, so I just try to follow her example of support and encouragement.”

June Visibility Spotlight Winner “Spreads the Word!” to Coworkers

Julie A. Keenan, CPCU, a new designee with the Tidewater, Virginia Chapter, is a regional trainer for Geico Direct in Virginia Beach. She and some co-workers who are also fellow CPCUs, have helped to lead an incredible “Spread the Word!” effort by organizing a CPCU information table at Geico’s Development Center.

Left to right: John McCaffrey CPCU, Dana Lee (pursuing), Wendy Daniels CPCU, Paul Feldman (pursuing), Bob Hood (pursuing), Julie Keenan CPCU, Matt Vroom (pursuing), Heather Majka (pursuing).

“We have several other CPCUs in the office, and I have recruited them to be points of contact to help me spread the word. Each is available to answer questions and give support to those interested or currently pursuing the designation,” says Julie.

Julie and her recruits came up with this great visibility effort—to have an information table at work, filled with CPCU Society and American Institute information.

“Our event table was set up with CPCU brochures, CDs, a survey of which courses associates are most interested in taking in-house, and other information for prospective CPCU IIA students. We gave out CPCU ‘Spread the Word!’ luggage tags to everyone who stopped by the table and raffled the CPCU sunglasses to those who answered CPCU trivia questions correctly,” she said.

“Julie is a stellar example of someone who is eager to learn and to share that knowledge with others,” says her manager, Kathy Allen Bennett. “She helps others understand the property and casualty business and stresses that continuing to learn all that you can is a responsibility we have as insurance professionals. Julie seized opportunities to incorporate into small group discussions the latest happenings in our industry as she stays current with insurance news.”

Left to right: Kathy Allen Bennett, Julie Keenan CPCU, Jeanne Wilkins (pursuing the program) and Joe Thomas (regional VP of Virginia Beach office).

July Visibility Spotlight Winner “Spreads the Word!” With Her Chapter at Annual Industry Event

Teresa J. Durham, CPCU, treasurer of the Middle Tennessee Chapter, is a commercial lines customer service agent with the Fridrich, Pinson & Rothberg Insurance Agency in Nashville. She and her fellow chapter members organized an incredible visibility event that brought attention to both the Society and the 62nd Annual Meeting and Seminars in Nashville!

In an effort to support in the “Spread the Word!” campaign, says Teresa, she and her fellow chapter members participated in the local Annual Insurers of Nashville Summer Outing, which was held June 2.

This event had more than 200 attendees—including agents, brokers, claims service representatives, and company representatives from the middle Tennessee area.

She explained that the registration fee allowed the chapter to have two members participate in the outing’s golf tournament, which included a hole-in-one sponsorship advertising the CPCU Society.

“Our chapter was advertised as a sponsor with a large sign on the golf course. Our name was on all the dinner place mats, as well as a mention on a sign at the registration table and verbal recognition at the dinner awards for the golf tournament. The two golf participants are also on the chapter’s Annual Meeting task force, so this gave them a chance to talk to others about the CPCU Society’s Annual Meeting and Seminars that will be held in Nashville in 2006,” she said.

At the event, the Middle Tennessee Chapter’s members discussed their involvement in insurance education and professional development. The evening events included a dinner and social hour, where the chapter had additional members from its board of directors in attendance to explain the benefits of the CPCU designation to members of the local insurance community.

“It is our hope that by supporting other local insurance organizations we will be able to increase the visibility of our local chapter and the CPCU Society as a whole, as well as increase the awareness of the upcoming Annual Meeting in Nashville in 2006,” says Teresa.

August Visibility Spotlight Winner “Spreads the Word!” While Training Colleagues

Pamela L. Rose, CPCU, a senior agency representative with Texas Mutual Insurance Company in Austin, TX, spreads the word by educating others. Pamela, a member of the CPCU Society’s Alamo Chapter, lives in New Braunfels, TX.

When telling her story of her spread the word success, Pamela makes it clear that she had the help of others.

“Fellow CPCUs Maryanna Christiansen, Barbara Ward, and Kathy Palousek have been instrumental in putting an assistant CSR training class together, and I have been privileged to be a part of the program. I am encouraged by new people entering the insurance business or gaining additional skills if they are already employed in our industry. The CPCU designation represents a goal and achievement that many pride themselves in pursuing and obtaining.”

In these classes, says Pamela, she emphasizes education, ethics, and obtaining a mentor as keys to success. She says she looks forward to seeing her students as future members of the CPCU Society. Recently, says Pamela, she’s spread the word to approximately 100 people in assistant CSR training classes and workshops.

“Education is very important, and insurance professionals must continue to pursue all avenues of learning and knowledge, both in the industry and outside. This knowledge, a professional designation such as the CPCU, and a commitment to the insurance industry are the cornerstones of our business.”

September Visibility Spotlight Winner “Spreads the Word!” to Fellow Employees

Jon Hensinger, CPCU, an underwriter with State Farm Group in Concordville, PA, has helped to spread the word to thousands of State Farm associates. He is the president-elect of the Philadelphia Chapter and chairman of the CPCU Society’s Total Quality interest section. Jon, who lives in Boothwyn, PA, is originally from West Deptford, NJ.

Jon was recently featured in a CPCU Society CD-ROM promoting the CPCU Society’s National Leadership Institute (NLI). He used this opportunity to further spread the word at State Farm.

“State Farm shared a short story about my role in the NLI CD-ROM in an electronic publication that was received by 7,742 State Farm associates in the Northeast Zone. Within the story, they even provided a web site link to the NLI page of the CPCU Society web site,” he said.

The publication reaches State Farm employees and agents in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New England.

“Spreading the word about the CPCU designation enhances my professional credibility, which helps improve my personal effectiveness. I show people the value of learning by
example. I am constantly learning things through my CPCU experience that I am able to bring back and apply for my employer. Whether it is through improved technical knowledge or leadership skills, my CPCU experience helps to make me a much more effective insurance professional.”

October Visibility Spotlight Winner “Spreads the Word!” While Teaching

David Hostler, CPCU, FLMI, of Arlington, TX, is both the web master and new designee chairman for the Society’s Fort Worth Chapter. He’s helped spread the word to about 100,000 people by teaching a CPCU class at Tarrant County College, which now plans to add the entire set of CPCU courses to its Distance Learning lineup.

“This relationship was key to bringing this course of study to TCC and thus ‘spreading the word’ about CPCU to the people who receive TCC’s catalog,” says David.

David and his chapter are involved in several other “Spread the Word!” initiatives. “Spreading the word about CPCU happens by setting excellence as a baseline. Whether our CPCU scholarships, our University of North Texas Insurance Department scholarships, our work with the children of the Lena Pope Home, our Golf Tournament, or our annual CE Day, we have one way of doing things. Excellence is the best way to spread the word and live up to the CPCU Code of Ethics—be it from a personal or chapter point of view,” he says.

David, who enjoys mentoring others, says that teaching CPCU courses allows him to see others grow.

“I live by the quote: ‘Leaders are not measured by the numbers of their followers, but by the number of leaders they create.’ The greatest reward for me is when someone realizes the vital role ethics and education play in the success of the industry. That is when a person can start using his or her own abilities to truly lead.”

November Visibility Spotlight Winner “Spreads the Word!” Locally

Rochelle Cordova, CPCU, of Chula Vista, CA, is president of the CPCU Society’s San Diego Chapter and a team leader with Golden Eagle Insurance Corporation in San Diego. Rochelle has spread the word in her office to about 30 people and at local events to roughly 100 people. These local events included an Independent Agents’ “I-Day,” where the San Diego Chapter had a booth.

She says the greatest reward for her when she spreads the word is “hearing back from folks who tell me they either signed up for their first class, or signed up to finish up their CPCU designation because I encouraged them to do so.”

For the future, Rochelle plans to continue to talk about CPCU Society events with her colleagues in staff meetings and other events.

“I also talk to my underwriter trainees about the advantages of pursuing their CPCU. I’ve had one trainee already sign up for her first class!”

December Visibility Spotlight Winner “Spreads the Word!” To State Farm Trainees

Bonnie Schaefer, CPCU, CLU, an auto underwriting team leader with State Farm Group in Austin, TX, spread the word at work when she conducted a presentation about the values of the CPCU designation for 11 underwriting trainees who recently began their State Farm career. Bonnie, who lives in Georgetown, TX, is a member of the CPCU Society’s Central Texas Chapter.

“I covered all the details of the program and encouraged those present to take the first step toward gaining the competitive edge achieved through insurance education,” she said.

Bonnie’s presentation included an overview of the program, including the steps to enroll. She relayed the benefits of insurance education, explaining how it can broaden insurance professionals’ horizon and knowledge of insurance and financial products, helping them to gain recognition within State Farm or within the insurance industry.

Bonnie explained that getting the designation shows a commitment to the profession, and allows the designee to gain a competitive edge for future opportunities

Bonnie says she loves “sharing in the excitement of the candidate when they pass their first test and are just getting started, or the last test when they have completed the required courses to earn the CPCU designation.”

“I have always talked about CPCU, especially since achieving the designation in 1993,” she adds.