Blogs

Alan Zink’s path into the affinity insurance market wasn’t typical, but it was undeniably impactful. His journey began in Columbus, Ohio , in 1969 when he co-founded American Insurance Administrators, a company that would embody his innovative approach to business. Reflecting on his early days, Alan recalls, “ I have a story that was very different from anybody else's of stumbling bass-ackwards into a business, an industry, that I knew nothing about except how to spell it,” he says with a laugh. With a degree in industrial management and a minor in marketing, Alan approached the industry with fresh eyes. “ I was, ...
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CHICAGO (January 31, 2025) – The PIMA membership elected its 2025-2026 Board of Directors on January 29, 2025, at the Annual Meeting. The 2025 Board of Directors are: Executive Committee: President – Kelly Abeles, Prudential Financial President-Elect – Sean Cox, First Administration & Consulting Treasurer – Avery Smith, Kelsey National Corporation Secretary – Lance Dordick, Farmers Insurance At-Large Director – Jean-Marie Lovett, Bindable Immediate Past President (ex-officio) – Pamela Moy, AMA Insurance PIMA Executive Director (ex-officio) – Ann Dieleman Directors: Sharon Alford, VSP Shane Canfield, ...
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Lessons From a Young Leader in a New Era Jim Lars o n ’ s jou rney wit h PI MA s tart ed a t it s ve ry b egin ning , ba ck i n 19 75 , when a s mall gro up o f in dust ry l eade rs g athe red in C hica go t o co n fro nt a r ap idly evo lvin g af fini ty i nsur ance lan dsca pe. Long bef ore he b ecam e PI MA p r esi dent in 2006 , Ji m fo und hims elf at t he c ente r of a m o vem ent that wou l d g o on to shap e th e af fini ty i nsur ance ind ustr y fo r g e nera tion s. “ I wa s j u st a kid ...
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As PIMA gears up for its 50th anniversary, we had the privilege of speaking with Carl Adamek, a long-time member and former president, whose journey offers a unique window into the organization's evolution. From navigating generational shifts in leadership to embracing groundbreaking technological advancements, Carl's story highlights the challenges and opportunities that have shaped both PIMA and the affinity insurance market over the years. When Carl Adamek attended his first PIMA meeting in 1990, the affinity insurance industry was on the brink of a seismic shift. The leaders who had laid the foundation for the industry were beginning to retire, making ...
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As PIMA marks its 50th anniversary, we had the opportunity to sit down with George Bode, a long-time member and former president in 2007 to explore his reflections on the organization and its role in shaping the affinity insurance market. When George Bode joined PIMA in the late 1990s, the affinity insurance market was in the midst of significant change. Mergers and acquisitions dominated the landscape, reshaping companies and creating new challenges for the industry. At the same time, technology was beginning to shift how businesses operated, presenting both opportunities and uncertainties. “When I first got into PIMA in the 1990s, there was a great ...
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As PIMA marks 50 years, we celebrate the leaders who shaped its evolution—leaders like Susan Hussar, whose deep understanding of the industry, dedication to inclusivity, and resilience during times of change left an indelible mark. From her start at PIMA to her enduring contributions, Susan's journey offers powerful lessons in adaptability, community-building, and integrity. Susan's unexpected path to leadership in PIMA began with a call from the then-PIMA President, who invited her to serve as the association's secretary. She recalls her surprise when she learned it was a multi-year commitment: "I didn't know that I was committing to a five-year role!" ...
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As PIMA approaches its 50th anniversary, we had the opportunity to sit down with former PIMA president Gary Pearl, a key figure in the organization's development and a visionary in the affinity market. From overcoming challenges to redefining standards in technology, Gary's journey offers a unique look at PIMA's evolution throughout the years. His story captures the resilience needed to navigate both challenges and successes, highlighting the vital role of adaptability, innovation, and the power of a united community. Gary's journey into the affinity insurance industry was rooted in his family's connection to PIMA, where his father had been an original ...
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By Muhammed Gulen, Esq., and Jamie Fender, ASA, MAAA, Lewis & Ellis, LLC. Overview of Recent Dental Regulatory Changes The landscape of dental insurance in the United States is undergoing significant transformation. Recent legislative and regulatory actions in states such as California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Mexico highlight an industry-wide push towards increased transparency, improved patient protections, and enhanced accountability for insurers. This article provides a summary of these changes, offering insurers a consolidated overview to navigate the evolving regulatory environment effectively. California: Eliminating ...
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By Paul Prendergast, CEO, Kayna Introduction Kayna enables embedded insurance distribution through vertical SaaS platforms. It provides the technology & data orchestration layer between Insurance Carriers and Brokers and any vertical SaaS platform enabling the distribution of insurance products that are directly relevant to the platform customers. Vertical SaaS platforms offer ‘software as a service’ cloud solutions which are industry specific. Their features and functions are designed to meet the particular service and solution demands of an industry type. High profile vertical SaaS companies include for example: Toast ...
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By Monica Spencer, Senior Business Development Manager, VSP® Individual Vision Plans Amidst ongoing economic challenges and political uncertainty in an election year, individuals continue to explore ways to manage costs and prepare for the future. While reducing unnecessary expenses is prudent, cutting the wrong expenses could yield short-term cost-savings, but lead to unintended long-term financial consequences. A good example of this is vision insurance. At first glance, scaling back on vision care might seem like a cost-effective solution. Many consumers base that choice on simply whether they can see clearly. A common question is “Why do I need ...
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By Jack Walsh, Managing Director, The Jacobson Group The insurance labor market has been in a constant state of change throughout the past few years. From the uncertainty of the pandemic to the most difficult recruiting environment many of us have ever experienced and almost everything in between, the ability to adapt has been paramount. Now, as the industry ages, average tenures shorten, and employee expectations shift, the industry is facing a variety of both emerging and ongoing talent challenges. Navigating the Current State of the Labor Market The overall U.S. labor market continues to experience low unemployment, remaining below 4% ...
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PIMA's 50th anniversary is an opportune moment to reflect on the contributions of key figures who have shaped the organization and the broader affinity insurance market. Among these leaders is Garry Sullivan, who served as PIMA President in 1993. His career with Aon Corporation spanned over 40 years, making Garry's impact on the industry undeniable. Reflecting on his approach to active leadership, Garry emphasized the importance of building industry connections, stating, "One of the advantages of being affiliated with an organization like PIMA is that no matter the size of your organization, you'll be dealing with the top people in the industry." This ...
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Digital Insurance: 5 strategies to leverage tech and engage Gen Z and Millennials By Ann Dieleman (October 3, 2024) As Gen Z and Millennials increasingly dominate the market for insurance, their digital habits are reshaping the industry. Unlike previous generations, these digital natives expect seamless, personalized experiences that integrate effortlessly into their daily lives. Understanding Gen Z and Millennial consumer behavior and preferences is essential for insurers looking to capture this market. Read more >>> #InTheNews #2024
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As PIMA approaches its 50th anniversary, we had the privilege of speaking with Patricia (Pat) Eisenhauer, a pioneering figure in the affinity insurance market and the first female president of PIMA. Throughout her career, Pat contributed significantly to the evolution of the affinity insurance industry, making her a key figure in its history. Reflecting on her experiences, Pat mentioned, "I was the only woman in the room," highlighting the unique challenges she faced as a female leader in a male-dominated industry. This statement captures the essence of her trailblazing journey—a journey that broke barriers and laid the foundation for the future of PIMA ...
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As PIMA approaches its 50th anniversary, we interviewed Frank Cella, a former president of PIMA, to gain insights from his extensive experiences. Frank witnessed and contributed to significant developments in the affinity insurance market, making him a valuable source of historical and strategic knowledge. In his own words, "The affinity marketplace's leadership lessons are no different from any other kind of management experience. You have to learn how to work with people." Frank's journey in the insurance industry began at the American Institute of Professional Association Group Insurance Administrators. Recognizing the need to address legal and regulatory ...
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Building momentum. Navigating a saturated marketplace. Capturing consumer attention. These are the critical themes Shama Hyder , CEO of Zen Media, tackled at the PIMA 2024 Summer Insights Conference. An acclaimed marketing strategist, Hyder took a deep dive into the complexities of modern digital marketing strategies and public relations. Hyder emphasized that creating momentum for a brand in today's fast-paced digital age is more challenging than ever. With the constant influx of information and fierce competition for consumer attention, traditional marketing tactics are proving insufficient. She argued that marketers must innovate, leveraging data-driven ...
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Spurred on by rapid technological advancements, the insurance industry is facing a pivotal moment where traditional products can no longer meet consumers' rapidly evolving needs. During a PIMA 2024 Summer Insights Conference session titled "Balancing Risk and Opportunity in Launching New Products," moderated by Christin Kuretich , VP of Supplemental Products at Voya Financial, speakers Glenn Tobleman of Lewis & Ellis, and Stacy Koron of First Consulting & Administration emphasized the crucial role of innovation for insurance providers. They highlighted that to stay competitive, insurers must develop products that go beyond the conventional, addressing ...
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Affinity distribution is reshaping the insurance industry, driven by evolving customer needs, technological advancements, and changing workforce dynamics. This strategy, where insurance products are offered through partnerships with organizations that have large, loyal customer or member bases, not only broadens market reach but also leverages the trust and relationships these organizations have built. Yet, even beyond affinity distribution, insurers are continuously refining their strategies to stay competitive and meet the demands of modern consumers. This was the central theme of the opening session titled "The Changing Face of Affinity Distribution" ...
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From its inception, PIMA has emphasized the importance of fostering genuine, lasting connections within the insurance industry. The 13 signers of PIMA's Articles of Incorporation understood the strength of their organization depended on their ability to bring people together, share ideas, and work collaboratively. We had a chance to talk with four of them — James (Jim), C. Boon II, P. Allen Haney, Richard (Dick) F. Jones, and J. Thomas (Tom) Koch — and their lessons and insights below further expand on just how essential relationships and networking are to sustainable success. Even though they were competitors, the founding members of PIMA were also friends. ...
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A forward-looking mentality and consistent flexibility have been what set PIMA apart from the beginning. From its inception, PIMA's journey to becoming a significant player in the affinity market has been marked by continuous innovation and adaptability. The 13 signers of PIMA's Articles of Incorporation understood that staying ahead of industry changes was essential for long-term success. Their experiences and insights provide valuable lessons on embracing change and fostering innovation regardless of roadblocks or unforeseen challenges. We had a chance to visit with four of them — James (Jim) C. Boon II, P. Allen Haney, Richard (Dick) F. Jones and J. ...
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