Jerry owned and managed an agency in Grand Coulee, Washington, for over 40 years. He has long been an advocate of professional continuing education having earned his CIC designation in 1983 and is a National Faculty member and Educational Consultant for the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance. Active in the industry, Jerry served on the technical committee of the Independent Agents of Washington and chaired the Far West Agents conference, a technical forum with Insurance Services Office. He currently serves as faculty for IIAA's Virtual University. Jerry was honored by the PIA of Washington/Alaska as "Agent of the Year" in 1994 and served as President of the Association in 1997-1998. Jerry is an active volunteer in his community and in 1995 was named "Business Person of the Year" by the Grand Coulee Dam Chamber of Commerce.

Patrick Deem began his insurance industry career in December 1969 with USF&G Insurance Company in the Louisville, Kentucky Branch Office. He has been an Underwriting Manager, Sales Manager, Excess and Surplus Lines Underwriter, and an Independent Insurance Agent. Patrick publishes articles and conducts seminars on a state and national basis regarding technical subjects of property and casualty insurance for insurance and trade associations. In addition, Patrick has served as an insurance consultant and testified as an expert witness in various fields associated with the insurance industry. Currently, Patrick is a licensed Risk Manager in Texas. He founded Risk Management and Insurance Education Services in Austin, Texas, an independent company which serves insurance companies, agents, and insureds. Patrick holds the Certified Insurance Counselor designation, which he obtained in 1984. He has been a National Faculty member for The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research (now known as the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance) since 1986.

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.