W.V. Big ‘I’ Convention: Commissioner Cline, Experts to Discuss Workers’ Comp Issues

West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jane L. Cline, and leading West Virginia insurance instructors, experts and officials will address the Oct. 7 to 10 annual Professional Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (Big “I”) convention at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Shepherdstown, W.V.

According to Gray Marion, PIIAWV executive vice president, the conference agenda will feature topics of great interest to the insurance industry, including the keynote address by Commissioner Cline and presentations by senior officers of BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Company.

Sunday morning at 10 a.m., Commissioner Cline will discuss her experiences, talk about the functions of the West Virginia Insurance Commission and her new responsibilities as the overseer of West Virginia’s Workers’ Compensation Fraud divisions. She will discuss what the commission is doing and plans to do with workers’ compensation. Her employee count has quintupled and she is going to talk about her goals for the new department.

In 2004, West Virginia passed a fraud bill and Cline became responsible for workers’ compensation personnel and a huge insurance fraud investigation unit. Her fraud efforts have taken a priority and she now has the resources to do something about fraud.

Taylor Cosby, American Insurance Association regional vice president, will follow Cline’s presentation, giving his national perspective to what legislation was enacted during the last session and what its effects will be on the insurance industry.

Sunday morning at 8 a.m., during the general attendees breakfast, Rob Capehart, West Virginia Republican Party chairman, will give the initial address. Capehart was endorsed by the Big “I” during the recent election as the Republican nominee for governor, and according to Marion, came very close to being nominated by the Republican Party to run for governor.

At 10 a.m., William Stiglitz, Big “I” national president will kick off the general session and introduce Cline.

At noon Sunday, luncheon speaker Don L. Blankenship, chairman, CEO and president of the Massey Energy Company, will give an insider’s view of his efforts to keep West Virginia on the straight-and-narrow. Blankenship chairs the largest coal company doing business in West Virginia.

At noon Sunday luncheon speaker Don L. Blankenship, chairman, CEO and president of the Massey Energy Company, will give an insider’s view of his efforts to keep West Virginia on the straight-and-narrow. Blankenship chairs the largest coal company doing business in West Virginia.

During Sunday afternoon’s second general session, West Virginia’s carrier reps, which have in the past voiced concerns about “opening up” the climate there for insurance companies will engage in a lively discussion moderated by American Insurance Association lobbyist T. Rancolph Cox, of Spillman, Thomas & Battle PLLC, with panelists Douglas Carpenter, chief personal line officer, Westfield Group; John Petrucci, vice president and director of corporate sales, State Auto Insurance Co.; James Swegle, director of property insurance for Safeco Insurance Cos.; Dennis McCormick, president Farmers & Mechanics Mutual Insurance Co. of WV; Andrew Rose, product manager, Drive Insurance from Progressive; and Stewart Borger, president of Smith-Nadenbousch Insurance Agency Inc.

The association’s annual awards and installation banquet at 7 p.m. will feature Rep. Shelley Moore Capito. Capito is in her third term in the House, she initially joined the House Financial Services Committee as a freshman, is now on the House Rules Committee and is the “odds-on favorite” to replace Senator Robert C. Byrd when he retires from the U.S. Senate.

On Monday morning, representatives of West Virginia’s Workers’ Compensation BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Company will discuss their long-range plans on Monday morning. Speakers will include Gregory A. Burton, president and CEO; R. Philip Shimer, vice president for operations; Philip A. Lynch, vice president for employer services; and T.J. Obrokta Jr. vice president and secretary.

The final luncheon session will take place at noon on Monday.

The October 3 issue of Insurance Journal Southeast will be distributed during this event at the registration desk. Dave Kaiser, Southeast managing editor, will attend the conference. Readers are encouraged to contact Dave to say hello or suggest story ideas during this event. Dave’s email is dkaiser@insurancejournal.com, his cell phone number is (352) 302-9483.