The Red Dog-Blue Dog Fundraiser at the Township bar in Tallahassee, FL
While we’re all familiar with the term “professional development” it’s so nice to see it in action. But it’s not just a means to an end but a worthwhile journey unto itself for what it can deliver to others – whether it’s our family, friends, colleagues, customers, or general society. Some great examples to share:
- Jake Holehouse, President at HH Insurance, wrote in a recent LinkedIn post: “Florida’s 2022 property insurance legislative reform in action! 04/02/2025, Zip Code – 33955, Policy Type – HO3, Renewal – $4,042; Re-wrote – $2,430.88 . . . > 39% year over year savings,” concluding with “The reforms are real and policyholders are seeing it.” He went on to write an Op-Ed in the Tampa Bay Times titled Florida’s property insurance market is on the right track. Congratulations Jake!
- I had the honor of sitting down with the CPCU Society North Florida chapter last week to share the goings-on at the Capitol and from a larger property insurance industry perspective. We had an absolutely delightful conversation with some great questions and discussion. And I left this fine group with this message, one that certainly applies to our newsletter readers: “I want to thank you for what you do every day. You’ve taken the time to join this association. You are at the top of your profession. You’re not the bad guys that people talk about, for we know who those are. I need your help in telling the message of who this industry is!”
- I’m seeing more women participating in meetings and conferences that I attend around Florida and the country and it’s heartening. In fact, a new study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that women continue to hold 59% of the insurance workforce, and the number of women in underwriting is up 5%. That’s terrific news!
- Speaking of conferences, Verisk kicks off its annual conference in Orlando today through Thursday (April 10). It’s not too late to review the agenda and register. I’ll be taking part in a panel Thursday at 9am titled “Performance, Technology, and Concerns Around Construction Materials in 2025,” with Verisk’s Deb Connaway, VP of Commercial Underwriting, and Steve Clarke, their SVP of Government Relations. A very timely subject with hurricane season now less than 60 days away.
- Despite some tension and acrimonious talk at times in the heat of debating public policy at the Capitol, some of our finest Florida legislators from both political parties lent their time and barkeeping skills to help at the annual Red Dog-Blue Dog fundraising event in Tallahassee in late March. This was the event’s 10th I’m proud that LMA served as the primary sponsor this year and together, we all raised nearly $50,000 to go to a trio of animal refuge centers: the Animal Shelter Foundation, the Leon County Humane Society and Last Hope Rescue. Thank you to our lawmakers who donated their time and energy and to those of you who came out in support of a good cause – and grew your own professional development by keeping in touch with old friends and colleagues and meeting new ones! That’s a win-win!
See you on the trail,
Lisa
LMA Newsletter of 4-7-25
