Executive Committee |
Jeffery W. Lamb
President
Dr. Alan C. Williams
Executive Vice President
Alan E. Hoffmann
Immediate Past President
John D. Meder
Past President
Lance A. Lancour
Secretary
Brian Bowerman
Treasurer
John Hammond
Vice President
Meg Allwein
Vice President
Josh Hart
Alumni Representative
Dr. RB Drennan
Faculty Representative
Christopher Place
Industry Representative
James Heuker
Student Representative
Noelle Codispoti
Executive Director
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Dear Students,
We hope you are enjoying fun and productive summers! It has been great to hear from many of you, and we are pleased to share some of what we have been working on, with the Presidents' and International Conferences around the corner, as well as other exciting initiatives underway. Read on for conference updates, student spotlights and other opportunities.
Fraternally yours,
Noelle Codispoti, ARM Executive Director, Gamma Iota Sigma |
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"Get Your Motor Running" at the
42nd Annual International Conference
The 2013 Conference will take place October 3-5, 2013 in Charlotte, NC, co-hosted by the Rho Chapter from Appalachian State University. We are having an excellent - and early! - response from sponsors, and we anticipate an even bigger and better event than last year. Stay tuned for registration and reservation details.
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2013 Sponsors Committed to Date
... and more coming in each week!
TITANIUM
Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers
Travelers
PLATINUM
AIG
The Hartford
Liberty Mutual Group
Lockton Companies
Markel Corporation
GOLD
Amerisure Global
Casualty Actuarial Society
Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation
RIMS
Spencer Educational Foundation
Swiss Re
SILVER
American Association of Managing General Agents
ACE Group
A.M. Best Company
Assurex
Atlantic Specialty Lines
Brown & Brown
The Institutes
International Association of Insurance Professionals
Lloyd's America
Munich Re
National Interstate
Towers Watson
Westfield Insurance
BRONZE
All Risks, Ltd.
The Cincinnati Insurance Companies
Gen Re
IFGW Wholesale Insurance Group
Westrope
Willis
Zurich North America
CAREER SPONSORS
Accident Fund Holdings, Inc.
Arlington/Roe and Company
EMC Insurance
Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan
The Motorists Insurance Group
Quirk & Company
State Auto Insurance Companies
Sponsor Listing as of July 16, 2013
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NEW GIS Career Center!
Be sure to visit our new Career Center, exclusively for Gamma Iota Sigma members! We are excited for you to become familiar with the site and add your resume BEFORE we formally publicize it to employers in the next few weeks.
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Are you a Recent Graduate or GIS Alumnus? Stay in Touch!
Help us keep your contact information current! GIS boasts an alumni base of over 15,000 individuals from our 54 chapters and we need your help in updating our current records. Alumni and soon-to-be-Alumni, please use the link below to update your information, and pass it on to as many fellow graduates as you can.
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Spotlight on: Cathleen Gabriel '13
Temple University/Sigma Chapter; Risk Management & Insurance and International Business Majors
How you are spending the summer?
My summer is very exciting to say the least! Courtesy of AIG, I am in Singapore interning in their Financial Lines department. I am applying my classroom and workshop knowledge by immersing myself in the underwriting process and expanding my network in one of AIG's and Asia Pacific's busiest hubs. I am very fortunate because through this internship, I am exposed to the growth and opportunities that I only used to hear and read about. I also have the opportunity to help raise awareness about our industry in a region where the concept of insurance is still relatively new. Time is fleeting so I am making sure I take full advantage of this valuable learning experience and this spectacular city.
What are your expectations for your final semester?
I will be completing a fulfilling academic journey and transitioning into the professional world. I am eager to approach my classes with the skills and professionalism I have gathered from my risk management consulting and underwriting internships. As the Sigma Chapter's incoming Executive Vice President, I will be strengthening my leadership skills as I help my fellow officers manage our over 450 chapter members. The Sigma Chapter provides career development opportunities specifically catering to graduating seniors, so I am eager to take advantage of these opportunities. I am also looking forward to attending the 2013 CPCU Society Annual Meeting in New Orleans and the 42nd Annual International GIS Conference in Charlotte - these conferences are integral to my professional development as they provide invaluable educational and networking opportunities.
How has GIS helped prepare you for where you are now?
GIS has been invaluable in my personal and professional development. Networking opportunities, career fairs, scholarship opportunities, career development workshops, and industry connections are among the numerous GIS membership benefits I enjoy. By taking advantage of these professional development activities, I complemented the skills I learned through the Fox School's RMI program and greatly improved my marketability. As I transition into the industry, I am a confident and competitive candidate equipped with valuable internship experience, comprehensive RMI knowledge, and an enviable network due to the professional development opportunities I was able to partake through GIS.
How do you plan to stay involved with GIS after graduation?
I am eager to give back to GIS by continuing to devote my resources to our fraternity and its members. GIS has given me so much, so as an alum, I will play an active role in ensuring that more students will be able to take advantage of the opportunities I was able to enjoy.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love experimenting in the kitchen! I don't have too much confidence to share my cooking with my friends yet, but I am definitely getting there. Here's to hoping I'll be hosting some dinner parties very soon. I would also love to visit Spain and get a taste of its distinct local culture. I am a huge soccer fan, so I would especially like to be a spectator during one of the infamous "el clasico" matches between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
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Spotlight on: Courtney Green '13
The University of Alabama/Epsilon Chapter; Finance, Economics & Applied Statistics Majors
What do you hope to learn from your summer internship?
I am interning with Unum in Chattanooga, TN. They are the industry leader in group and individual disability insurance, and I am very excited to learn more about this unique line of business. Disability insurance is not one you hear about often, so I see this as a great opportunity to learn something new and bring it back to my chapter. I've already learned a great deal about both the product and customer sides of disability insurance, from how the reserves are calculated to how our company helps insureds get back to work. Although I did not have a GIS connection in gaining this internship, I now feel that I have created one to share with my members.
What are your expectations for your final semester?
My primary expectation is to leave my chapter in even better shape than when I became President. I've passed the torch on to a very active and capable group, so I am excited to see the organization's continued growth. I also expect to continue to make connections that can help future members, not only through GIS conferences and events, but also through events sponsored by our own chapter.
How has GIS helped prepare you for where you are now?
GIS has helped prepare me for where I am now by keeping me well informed about insurance and the insurance industry, and providing me with numerous opportunities to interact with industry professionals and other students interested in insurance.
What would you say to students considering a career as an actuary or in the Life & Health sector?
I would tell them to go for it! It's a great career path and a great sector. We often tell students about the earnings potential and virtually nonexistent unemployment in the actuarial profession, but the job itself is a bragging point. It's challenging and I don't think you ever stop learning. Plus, I know that the knowledge I'm gaining while working in this sector can help me personally with making the correct decisions about my own insurance.
What are your plans for the summer besides work?
I'm keeping busy with an online summer class and studying for Actuarial exams. Besides that, I relax by going to a matinee or catching up on some good books. I'm a little old lady at heart; I love reading, crocheting and scrapbooking. I would love to go to Italy, and am actually planning a short stay there after graduation!
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Spotlight on: Chris Townsend '13
Virginia Commonwealth University/Alpha Mu Chapter; Finance Major (Risk Management & Insurance Concentration)
You just graduated, what's next?
I will be pursing my passion in the insurance industry by starting an underwriting rotation training program with Argo Group. I will be traveling to various office locations throughout the US, and I will be exposed to divisions such as excess casualty, property, and professional liability insurance. I am thankful, and excited for the opportunity to travel while continuing my education in the insurance industry. I hope to learn about the unique risks that are presented in the E&S market here in the US, as well as internationally.
What would you say to students considering CPCU exams?
CPCU has been an instrumental part of my education in insurance, and as a part of my training program I will be expected to pass at least 2 exams within my first year. Any student who finds an interest in insurance should absolutely consider pursing CPCU courses and exams. Knowledge is power in the insurance industry, and there is no better place to gain knowledge than within the CPCU courses.
How
has GIS helped prepare you for where you are now?
WOW! Looking back I don't know where I would be without my experiences through Gamma. GIS has helped prepare me for the professional world that I am about to embark upon. I have met so many brilliant professionals, as well as students due to my relationship with GIS. It is the only place I know that can help prepare young insurance professional for life outside of the classroom. The "real world" experiences I gained from GIS were the most help in preparing me for where I am today. I encourage any student to take full advantage of the opportunities presented through your involvement with Gamma Iota Sigma.
How do you expect to stay involved with GIS as an alum?
The insurance industry truly is relationship-driven! I gained a wealth of knowledge from alumni as a student, and I hope to offer any knowledge that I posses to the future generations of GIS. This is an industry to be proud of, and I want stay involved with GIS as much as possible. I plan to help the VCU (Alpha Mu Chapter) by trying to make it back to Richmond whenever I can to help show what hard work and dedication can do for you once you enter the work force. I think that the students could benefit from more interaction from alumni, and I hope to build that relationship with the VCU chapter.
How do you like to unwind?
One of my favorite hobbies is fishing, and one day I would love to go ice fishing. I love to travel so I have a long list of places I would like to go, but in the near future I would love to go to Venice, Italy before it sinks. There are numerous ways to have fun in insurance, and as a word of advice people in the industry love to golf. So if you get a chance learn the basics while you can, I promise it will pay off for you in the long run in your career.
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Featured Jobs with Our Partners
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ACORD's Young Professionals Scholarship Expanded for GIS
Where Insurance and Technology Meet
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FREE Subscription to Best's Review!
Be sure you are taking advantage of the special offer from our partner company A.M. Best! Students and faculty can access a FREE subscription to Best's Review magazine - digital version. Link to the registration page here! Best's Review is the premier insurance industry monthly magazine, providing the latest global news and trends, plus industry analysis and featured articles. |
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