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.

Lance Ewing has extensive executive experience in the field of risk management and insurance including his current role as VP of Enterprise Risk Management & Operations for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. Prior to this he was EVP Global Risk Management for Cotton Holdings, Inc. Previously he was the VP Industry Practice Group Leader at AIG with a portfolio of $1.4B of GWP. Lance has also served in senior risk management capacities for Caesars Entertainment (aka Harrah’s), GES Exposition Services/VIAD and for the City of Philadelphia School District. Additionally, he worked for various insurance companies in risk management, underwriting and risk control capacities. He was President of three successful and innovative insurance captives. Lance received his master’s degree in law & justice from the University of Pittsburgh and completed his second master’s degree in occupational safety engineering. He earned his CRM designation in 2001 and also holds the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation and the Enterprise Risk Management Professional designation (ERMP). Lance has served on the Advisory/Client boards of Willis, AIG, NFPA, AHLA, The National Alliance, and recently as the Chair of the Risk Management Program at the University of Mississippi, where he serves on the risk management board of the Business School. He is also a Past President of RIMS and was their first Chief Risk Officer. He also serves on the Risk Management & Insurance Advisory Board for East Carolina University. Lance was honored to be the keynote speaker for the CEO Asia Conference, recognized as the Insurance Leader by Globe Street, and Risk Innovator of the Year. He has authored several articles on insurance, risk management, crisis management and workers' compensation. He is an advocate in the prevention of Human Trafficking and has spoken and written on this criminal atrocity. He also received the RIMS highest award the Goodell Award. Lance has spoken and worked internationally on six continents to promote insurance and risk management. He continues to be a strong and outspoken supporter of the risk management/insurance profession.