Tim McClendon began his insurance career in 1972. His training included several years with a major carrier in all facets of the property and casualty business. Tim is Managing Partner of Hertel McClendon, L.L.P. in Fort Worth, Texas. The agency maintains an additional location in Austin, Texas. The agency is affiliated with Insurors Group, L.L.C., comprised of twelve professional agencies in Fort Worth, Austin and all over Texas. Tim earned the Certified Insurance Counselor professional designation in 1977, the Certified Workers Compensation Advisor designation in 2004, and is a licensed risk manager. His clients include manufacturers, printers, law firms, technology, retail and contracting risks. A graduate of Texas Christian University, Tim holds a BBA degree in Management. He is a member of the TCU Lettermen's Association and the TCU Alumni Association. As a member of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors National Faculty, Tim teaches insurance courses throughout Texas and around the country including Certified Insurance Service Representatives, Certified Insurance Counselors and Ruble Seminars. Tim was chosen as one of seven charter members of The National Alliance's Distinguished Faculty in 2014. He is a past chairman of the Board of Governors for the Society of CISR. Tim recently served as Chairman of the Technical Affairs Committee for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America and is a past chairman of Mid-America Insurance Conference. He is a past "Teacher of the Year" for Professional Insurance Agents of Texas and has been a member of the adjunct faculty teaching insurance and risk management courses for the M. J. Neeley School of Business at TCU. He has taught classes for the University of Dallas MBA program, the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas, CPCU Society, CFP program and in-house classes for many insurance carriers and agencies. Tim also serves as an expert witness in insurance-related litigation.

Dr. Victor Puleo is the Davey Chair of Risk Management and Insurance in the Lacy School of Business at Butler University, Indianapolis, IN. He earned a doctorate degree in risk management and insurance at Florida State University. Dr. Puleo has articles published in the Journal of Insurance Issues, Risk Management and Insurance Review, Managerial Finance, and Best's Review.The Davey Risk Management and Insurance Program at Butler University equips students with a variety of experiential education - including two required for-credit internships. Butler University's College of Business is the top-ranked business school in the country for internships according to Bloomberg Businessweek's rankings. Highlights of the Davey Risk Management and Insurance Program include the first-of-its-kind student-run captive insurance company, lifelong career mentors, two required for-credit internships, student attendance at national and regional industry events, classroom case studies, and an elite chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma - the international collegiate insurance, risk management and actuarial student fraternity.Dr. Puleo is a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Certified Financial Planner &#8482 Certificant. He is an Educational Consultant (1994) and National Faculty Member (2008) for the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors. Dr. Puleo is a member of the Board of Directors and Chair of The National Alliance Research Academy.Prior to being named the Davey Chair of Risk Management and Insurance, Dr. Puleo was an Associate Professor of Insurance and Risk Management at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA), Conway, AR. The insurance and risk management undergraduate degree program at UCA is nationally ranked. Students from UCA were the first in the country to be conferred the University Associate Certified Insurance Counselor (UACIC) designation. The UACIC designation was created to give college students pursuing an insurance and risk management undergraduate degree the opportunity to attain a new level of professionalism through advanced practical education while in college. This designation is a program of the National Alliance Research Academy.

Robert Ford is Senior Vice President, and Director of the Claims Division for American Insurance Center. Bob started in the insurance business at age 19, when he was hired by Nodak Mutual Insurance Company as a territory producer in Wahpeton, North Dakota, and later transferred to Dickinson North Dakota. Bob returned in 1978 to Devils Lake, North Dakota to work in and purchase the family run agency. Bob sold his agency in 1998 and now works with American Insurance Centers headquartered in ND. Over the years Bob has since involved himself in the insurance industry in several ways. Early in his career he started training with the IIAA of Iowa at the University of Iowa on an annual basis with their agency management school. These sessions were led by nationally known Dr. Emmett Vaughn. Those sessions helped Bob to lay the foundation for a good understanding of the insurance industry and the agency company relationships. Bob has also served on the Board of Directors for North Dakota PIA (Professional Insurance Agents) and served in that position for 13 years. During that time his favorite activity was chairing the education committee. He held that position for eight years. Bob especially enjoyed chairing the education committee because in his view a good technical education is critical to a successful career in the insurance industry. He has been privileged to serve as North Dakota PIA President and has also served as North Dakota PIA National Director. In trying to further his education, Bob completed his CIC designation in 2001, and his CISR designation in 2006. In addition, he has earned the following insurance designations, CPIA (Certified Professional Insurance Agent), CLCS (Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist), MLIS (Management Liability Insurance Specialist), and CRIS (Construction Risk Insurance Specialist). Enjoying education so much, Bob continues his educational pursuits by teaching many insurance workshops each year around the country and is also a member of the national faculty for the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors.