Students majoring in Risk Management and Insurance from sixteen universities participated in the thirteenth annual Surplus Lines Symposium held November 2nd and 3rd. The symposium was hosted by Troy University's Department of Risk Management and Insurance Program and sponsored by the Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation.

More than ninety RMI majors attending the symposium, gathered Friday evening at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Birmingham for a reception where the students had the opportunity to meet and network with students from other universities and with over forty executives from the Surplus Lines industry. Dr. Carol Jordan, Eminent Scholar for the Troy University Risk Management and Insurance Progam, opened the symposium with a few words of welcome. Jonathan McKenzie, broker with Cooper Gay Risk Services and Troy University graduate, spoke about the NAPSLO (National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices) Internship program and introduced the panel of eight former NAPSLO interns. The interns shared their NAPSLO experiences and insights into the many rewards of the program.

Presentations began early Saturday morning by insurance executives on topics of interest to the students. Jessica Xie, a Client Executive with the Hylant Group in Toledo, Ohio spoke on "Navigating the Uncharted Risks of China." Her presentation was well-received as the doors to the insurance industry are opening in China and there is a lot of interest in marketing there. Patrick Talley, President of Lloyd's Kentucky, presented the many changes occurring at Lloyd's of London. Richard Bouhan, the Executive Director of the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices (NAPSLO) explained the insurance regulatory proposals being considered at the Federal level. Marcus Payne, the Managing Director of All Risks Ltd. spoke to the students about the Surplus Lines Distribution System and the career opportunities available as wholesale brokers, Managing General Agents or Program Managers. Fran O'Connell, the Vice President of Medical Professional Liability at Shand Morahan in Chicago, illustrated the complicated world of Medical Malpractice Liability insurance. Nick Abraham, Manager of Business Development for Essex Insurance and former Troy University RMI graduate, discussed "The Necessity of Underwriting Profit." Elizabeth White, Senior Vice President of Peachtree Special Risk Brokers, was the featured luncheon speaker.

Following Saturday's presentation, the students attended the first annual Career Fair sponsored by Peachtree Brokers, a subsidiary of Brown & Brown. Representatives from fifteen companies shared information, answered questions and interviewed students for summer internships and positions as Underwriters, Brokers, and Claim Adjusters.

Companies participating in the Career Fair:

All Risks, Ltd AmWins Group, Inc Arlington/Roe Bass Underwriters Cobbs, Allen & Hall Colemont Insurance Brokers CRC Insurance Services, Inc EMC Insurance Companies

Farmer's Insurance Markel Corp./Essex Insurance Maxum Nautilus Insurance Group Partners Specialty Group, LLC Peachtree Special Risk Brokers Westrope & Associates

Universities with students attending:

Troy University University of Georgia Florida State University Illinois State University Indiana State University Middle Tennessee State University St. Mary's University Mississippi State University

Virginia Commonwealth University Georgia State University Temple University Olivet College University of Mississippi Appalachian State University University of Louisiana-Lafayette Ball State University

Information contact:

Dr. Carol Jordan
Risk Management & Insurance
Troy University
144 Bibb Graves
Troy, AL 36082
Telephone: 334-670-5833
Fax: 334-670-5853
E-mail: cjordan@troy.edu


Previous Symposiums:

2006

2001

Symposium Scrapbook