Gamma Iota Sigma Newsletter                           
September 2014 
 
In This Issue
GIS Career Center
GIS Featured in Business Insurance
Latest Issue of WIN Magazine
NEW! GIS Resources
43rd Annual Conference
2014 Conference Sponsors to Date
Spotlight: Brittany Sakson
Spotlight: Zach Vasseur
Calling All Graduates and GIS Alumni
Free Subscription to Best's Review Magazine!
Quick Links

Mark Your Calendar!

   

DW Simpson Actuarial Science Scholarship Program Deadline

October 31, 2014

  

Ezra Penland Actuarial Scholarship Deadline

November 1, 2014

 

View all scholarship deadlines and events.

Executive Committee
 John Hammond

President

 

Meg Allwein

Executive Vice President

 

Jason Warden

Vice President

 

Alan Hoffmann

Vice President

(Past President)

 

Jeffery W. Lamb

Vice President

(Immediate Past President)

 

Jake Timmins

Secretary

 

Brian Bowerman

Treasurer

 

Josh Hart

Alumni Representative

 

Christopher Place

Industry Representative

 

Dr. RB Drennan

Faculty Representative

 

Dr. Karen Epermanis

Faculty Representative

 

Alyssa Bouchard

Student Representative

 

Mike Kelly

Student Representative

 

Noelle Codispoti 

Executive Director

 

Dear Students,
 
The Annual International Conference is upon us! We have been working hard to bring you the most robust event to date, and we are proud to boast an amazing list of sponsors who are eager to interact with the GIS membership.

We hope the semester is off to a great start for ear of you and that the excitement from the Presidents' Leadership Conference is being sustained at your chapters. Be sure you are taking advantage of the valuable resources the Grand Chapter is proud to offer you, from the GIS Career Center and the Career Resources hub to the new membership brochure. 

Read on for conference updates, student spotlights, and other resources and opportunities, and as always, please keep your chapter news and updates coming. We wish you all a great conference - see you in Dallas!

Fraternally yours,

Noelle Codispoti, ARM
Executive Director, Gamma Iota Sigma
GIS Career Center: the Industry Wants You!
 
 
Check out the GIS Career Center, the only centralized location for you to search through and apply for internship and entry-level opportunities across the industry. 17 employers have posted over 75 positions! Employers can also search through student profiles, so be sure to get your resume on there! It's easy:

  1. Go to the Career Center website
  2. Upload your resume
  3. Check out the posted jobs and internships
This is an exclusive benefit for Gamma Iota Sigma members to be seen by companies and organizations who are actively recruiting and to apply for internships and jobs. Don't miss out!
   
GIS Featured in Business Insurance

Thank you to our media partner Business Insurance for spotlighting Gamma's work in revolutionizing the industry's talent development. Read the full article here.

Latest Issue of WIN Magazine

Courtesy of our industry partner AAMGA, we are pleased to share the Fall 2014 issue of Wholesale Insurance News (WIN) Magazine, an important resource for keeping up on the latest trends and risks in the wholesale market.

AAMGA, the wholesale insurance community's international trade association, was founded in 1926 on the principles of integrity and professionalism. Today, the AAMGA represents over 500 corporate members and is respected as the leader in and voice of the wholesale and excess and surplus lines insurance industry.   
NEW GIS Resources!
#GammaIS Insuring Your Future

Interested in a career in insurance? Not sure how or where to start, or what the right fit for you might be?
 
Be sure to check out the new Career Resources Hub, a widely collaborative effort spearheaded by GIS in partnership with trade groups and professional associations to avail the industry's collective resources to YOU, the next generation of insurance professionals!
 
Through a combination of dedicated career path pages, career tools, roadmaps, surveys, and quizzes, the new Career Resources section will introduce you to many different insurance industry careers and provide you with resources to help you find your fit. Not only can you access valuable career planning and professional development resources, you can also learn about the organizations offering these resources.
   
43rd Annual International Conference
The Date Has Almost Arrived!

Gamma Iota Sigma's 43rd Annual International Conference, co-hosted by Beta Zeta Chapter at the University of north Texas, will kick off this Thursday, October 2 in Dallas, Texas! The agenda includes a two-day career fair, on-site first-round interviews, educational sessions, and keynote addresses, in addition to valuable leadership seminars and plenty of networking opportunities. This will be our biggest and best event yet, and we have an impressive slate of sponsors committed - see below!


Thank You to Our 2014 Sponsors!

 

TITANIUM

Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers / The Foundation for Agency Management Excellence (FAME)

Travelers

 

PLATINUM

AIG

Atlantic Specialty Lines, Inc.

Brown & Brown / Hull & Company

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

Liberty Mutual Insurance

Lockton Companies

Markel Corporation

 

GOLD

Amerisure Mutual Insurance Company 

Assurex Global

Burns & Wilcox

Casualty Actuarial Society

CNA Insurance

Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation

Munich Reinsurance America, Inc.

RIMS Student Advisory Council

R-T Specialty, LLC

Sedgwick

Society of Actuaries

Spencer Educational Foundation

Swiss Re

USAA

Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA, Inc.

 

SILVER

A.M. Best Company

ACE Group

ACORD

American Association of Managing General Agents

Chubb & Son

The CPCU Society/The Griffith Insurance Education Foundation

Great American Insurance Group

The Institutes

The Insurance Institute of Canada

International Association of Insurance Professionals 

Lloyd's America

The National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research

National Interstate Insurance Co.

Professional Liability Underwriting Society

The Surety & Fidelity Association of America

The Surety Foundation

Texas Mutual Insurance

Towers Watson

Westfield Insurance

Willis

Zurich North America

 

BRONZE

All Risks LTD

Aon

Arthur J. Gallagher

Auto-Owners Insurance Company

The Cincinnati Insurance Companies

Ezra Penland Actuarial Recruitment

Farmers Insurance

Nautilus Insurance Group/Vela Insurance Services (a W. R. Berkeley Company)

USLI

 

CAREER SPONSORS

Accident Fund Holdings, Inc.

ACTEX Publications

AmWINS Group

Argo Group US

Arlington/Roe and Company

BancorpSouth Insurance Services, Inc.

Boyden World Corporation

EMC Insurance Companies

GAINSCO Auto Insurance

GEICO

General Reinsurance Corporation

Gibson Insurance

Hoffman & Associates Insurance Services, Inc.

Insurance Accounting and Systems Association

Regional Excess Underwriters

State Auto Insurance Companies

 

 


Sponsor Listing as of September 24, 2014. View the list online.
Summer Spotlight: Brittany Sakson '15
Alpha Iota Chapter


Brittany Sakson

St. John's University

Alpha Iota Chapter

Executive Vice President

Major: Actuarial Science

Graduation: May 2015

 

What is your greatest takeaway from the Leadership Conference?

My greatest take away was definitely the network I created within those three short days. I listened to so many discussions and heard so many point of views that I now see GIS in a whole new light and not only having tunnel vision on my own chapter. There were so many great events and ideas shared that I definitely would want Alpha Iota to follow after. It is amazing that there are so many people who are willing to help each other to succeed, and I believe I now have an endless network.

 

What do you hope your chapter will accomplish this year?

After coming back to St. John's University from the Leadership Conference, I hope that we will take our chapter to new heights and limits. Being selected as a Superior Chapter for the first time builds much hype and excitement with many returning executive board members. I hope that we now have more confidence that we can accomplish many feats no matter how daunting, even capturing the Bower's Award at the National Conference in Dallas. Our chapter continues to grow and I hope some new members can really grow much interest in GIS and take this organization to new level of greatness.

 

What was your highlight of the summer?

The highlight of my summer was definitely traveling to Europe with a select group from St. John's School of Risk Management as a part of a Global Destination Leadership Class. We visited Germany, Switzerland, and ended on our Rome Campus. During our trip we visited Munich Re, Zurich Insurance, and Partner Re, where we saw and learned about their companies along with hearing how to become leaders in the insurance industry. This experience gave me the desire to finish my last year of college strong and to then strive to one day work abroad.  

 

What is something personal that you hope to accomplish this academic year?

I truly hope to enjoy my senior year. As most people can relate, I spent most of my college career trying to do everything and anything. This year I hope to have fun while supporting St. John's Basketball team at Madison Square Garden, attend several Broadway Shows, and experience as many new things as possible, especially in New York City.

 

What was a pivotal moment in deciding to pursue a career in insurance?

In high school, I chose a career in Actuarial Science out of a love for math; I had no interest in dealing with insurance. However, last summer, I interned in Downtown Manhattan in Zurich's Global Corporate Department, and I realized that this is the industry I belong in. Until you see something in person and deal with it on a daily basis, you have no idea how you will feel about it. I never wanted that summer or for that matter, my career in insurance to end.

 

What would you say to students considering joining GIS?

My 30 second elevator pitch to someone who is considering GIS is where else can you make friends that could potentially be your classmates, best friends, and professional network for life! In addition to that, these relationships do not stop at your own school. I love that I can go to a job interview and GIS is something everyone knows about. GIS and the skill sets learned in it will be something I carry with me forever.

 

Have you benefitted from scholarships or other resources from any GIS partner organizations?

I am happy to say that I benefit from the Spencer Educational Foundation Scholarship and also the GEICO, Angus Robinson, and NJ CPCU Society Scholarship. I attended RIMS in Denver, Colorado, which was absolutely amazing.

 

What is your hometown?

Olyphant, PA (Near Scranton)

 

A city where you would love to work...

New York City :)

 

A place you would most like to visit...

After visiting parts of Europe, I would love to visit Lloyd's of London to build on my insurance visits and Paris for enjoyment.

 

Little-known fact about you...

I am only 5'2", but in high school, I lived for playing basketball and shooting 3 pointers. My school even made it to the Final 4 in the state of Pennsylvania my senior year!

 

Summer Spotlight: Zach Vasseur '15
Chi Chapter 

 

Zach Vasseur

Drake University

Chi Chapter

Management Major/ Human Resources Concentration,

Economics Minor

Graduation: May 2015

 

 

What is your role within your chapter?

I helped recharter the fraternity at Drake and I was President for one year. I currently assist the Grand Chapter with planning student conferences and assist students with starting chapters.

 

What is your greatest takeaway from this year's Leadership Conference?

Seeing that GIS is bigger than me and my chapter; it is truly an international organization.

 

What do you hope your chapter will accomplish this year?

I hope that my chapter continues to grow and expand. Being a new chapter, not too many local companies are aware of GIS and the perks of being a member, so I hope to spread awareness to the surrounding industry. I can't wait to see where we are one year from now!

 

What was the highlight of your summer?

Going skydiving in the sunset of Kansas City!

 

What is something personal that you hope to accomplish this academic year?

I hope to organize a trip out west and a small hiking trip with a few of my friends.

 

What was a pivotal moment in deciding to pursue a career in insurance?

The insurance industry is always growing and changing. My major deciding factor was when I first discovered what insurance truly was and the career opportunities behind that. I know I wanted to be apart of the rapid growth while finding something that I enjoyed doing.

 

What would you say to students considering joining GIS?

GIS isn't just some boring insurance club, it is an organization that aids to your college experience. You get to learn more about your future career, meet friends that will last a lifetime, and have a great time doing so!

 

What is your hometown?

Fenton, MO (about 30 minutes SW of St. Louis)

 

What is your favorite hobby?

Grabbing coffee and catching up with old friends.

 

A city where you would love to work...

Charlotte, NC

 

A place you would most like to visit...

Either Seattle or Boston

 

Little-known fact about you...

I sailed a boat in the Bahamas and hope to get my captain's license after I graduate.


Calling all GIS graduates!
Stay in touch - update your contact info!

Shield Only
Help us keep your contact information current! GIS boasts an alumni base of over 21,000 individuals from our 60 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.

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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