PIA Connection Online

By Mike Skiados

One of the things I’ve been thinking about lately is how much has changed at PIA and how much more we have ahead of us. Over the past several years, we’ve spent a lot of time asking some fundamental questions about PIA’s role in the independent agency system. Who are we reaching? Where can we provide the most value? What do agencies need from us today? And just as importantly, what do we need to do now to help ensure this channel remains strong 10 years from now?

Those questions have led us in some new directions. We’ve undertaken research into PIA’s long-term growth and sustainability, hearing from more than 600 members about what they value most and where they need more support. We’ve also been working more closely across PIA National and our state and regional Affiliates to better align our efforts, share resources, and strengthen what we can accomplish together through One PIA. We’re exploring new membership models and partnerships, expanding education and professional development, strengthening our advocacy, investing more deeply in technology, and creating new ways for people to become involved with PIA. When you put all of those pieces together, you can see where we’re headed.

One of our biggest areas of focus is people. The independent agency channel is navigating a generational transition. Experienced leaders are retiring and thinking about succession, agencies are competing for talent, and younger professionals are looking for opportunities to grow. That’s one reason we created the Ascending Leaders Council last year. We want to give younger professionals a meaningful role in shaping PIA.

Joel Dunham, an agency owner and former PIA of Indiana president, was recently named Chair of the Ascending Leaders Council. Joel has been involved with the Council from the beginning, and his progression reflects exactly what we hope to create: opportunities for people to connect with PIA, contribute their ideas and increasingly take on leadership roles.

We recently brought a group of emerging insurance professionals together for two days of leadership development focused on communication, marketing, personal performance, and learning to think like an owner. And Winning@Work, developed jointly by our Ascending Leaders Council and National Carrier Council, is another way we’re helping newer professionals understand some of the things that aren’t taught in a licensing course or employee handbook.

At the same time, leadership development is also about continuity. David ‘Red’ Gorman recently became PIA National President, succeeding Mark Suhr. David Lamparella has stepped into the role of Chair of our National Carrier Council, succeeding Rick Pierce. We are grateful to Mark and Rick for their leadership and equally excited about what Red and David will bring to their new roles. That’s how strong organizations evolve. New people step forward, experienced leaders remain engaged, and each builds on the work of those who came before.

We’re applying that same longer-term thinking to the business challenges facing our members. Our research has identified needs ranging from market access and recruiting to technology and operational efficiency, and we’re responding in practical ways. Our new relationship with FirstChoice expands access to markets and business resources, while we continue strengthening professional development, including the CPIA designation. We’re also advocating on issues that directly affect agencies’ ability to operate and grow. And as AI reshapes the industry, PIA is helping agents move beyond the hype by sharing practical guidance on adoption, integration, security and how technology can improve agency operations.

We want more people to see a place for themselves in PIA. That means finding new ways to engage agency owners and their employees and building stronger connections with carriers and other industry partners. It also means working more closely with our Affiliates so that PIA presents a stronger, more connected organization nationally. None of this happens overnight. And we’re not finished.

PIA has a long history of serving independent insurance agents. Our responsibility is to build on that history without being constrained by it, to keep listening, keep evolving and make sure PIA is providing value not only for the agencies we serve today, but for the people who will lead this industry tomorrow. That’s the work we’re doing now, and there’s a lot more to come.