Thursday, July 25, 2013

Tee Cee Goes to Henderson


Hanging out at Latta Insurance.
Being the CFO (Chief FUN Officer) for IIAK is such hard work! NOT!! I just love my job! I have been able to travel to different parts of Kentucky and meet our wonderful members. What more can a horse ask for? Recently, I was able to travel with Arlene to the western part of our state, specifically Henderson. Our assignment was to interview our very own IIAK Chair, Bill Latta for an upcoming profile in the KentuckyIndependent Agent magazine.

Our drive to Henderson took us out of the state into Indiana and then back again! Can you believe that? And, on the way, we drove past Ellis Park which is a racetrack in Henderson. I gave my fellow horses a wave as we drove past. 

We arrived at Bill’s agency which is right on Main Street and is just a block away from the Ohio River. He gave us a tour of his office which used to be an old bank. I even got to see the old style vault they have inside, which is now used as a supply room. You wouldn’t want to be locked inside! I also met some of the delightful staff at Latta Insurance Services including Whitney (Bill’s daughter), Tammy, Melanie and Kim. I didn’t get to meet Alisa because she was out that day! 

From left to right: Kim, Tammy, Whitney, Melanie
and Bill is seated.
After our tour, we got down to business and I got to sit in on the interview with Bill. Bill has been an insurance agent for nearly 40 years now, so he gave us a lot of insight about the insurance business. He spoke about how he started, some of the challenges and opportunities he’s faced during his career and his involvement in the association.  And here’s a fascinating fact about Bill, that I bet you did not know:  He and a buddy of his own a two-year old racehorse named Beccawhit!  (I would love to meet that filly!) She was named after each of their daughters.
 
All the fillies blowing me a kiss:)
Be sure to look out for his interview in the July-August issue of the Kentucky Independent Agent magazine where you can get to know more about our IIAK Chair.

Following our interview with Bill, he and Whitney were kind enough to give us a tour of downtown Henderson. Henderson sits along the Ohio River and did you know it was the only major city along the Ohio River that did not flood in 1937? As we toured downtown, we drove past the house that was used in the film A League of Their Own and we also drove along the waterfront which they have developed with plenty of parkland for people to use. In mid-June the waterfront becomes the location for the famous annual W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival that Latta Insurance Services sponsors.

It was a great day spent in Henderson and I really enjoyed travelling with Arlene and my time listening to Bill and meeting his staff. Don’t forget that our interview with him will be featured in the July-August issue of the KentuckyIndependent Agent.


Straight from the horse's mouth,

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Tee Cee is in Mourning :(

So sad that, Megan Granger (Member Services Director) is leaving IIAK. Today is her last day with the association, she is goin' back to Cali! I will always have fond memories of my time with Megan, we hung out together at many events. She took me to the CRM, Louisville Board Meetings and the Trusted Choice Big "I" National Championship. Megs (as I like to call her) is heading back to her home state where she will be closer to her family. She is starting a new journey and she will be missed by the membership and especially the staff of IIAK. Thanks for all the hard work and dedication you provided the past 4 years (minus one).
I was able to give Megs a big HORSE hug good bye!
 

Straight from the horse's mouth,

Monday, July 22, 2013

Tee Cee sits in on a IIAK Staff Meeting

Tee Cee was so excited to sit in on our Staff meeting last Tuesday. Peggy talked about typical office announcements and an update on our calendar of events. During the Fourth of July week, we conquered the cleaning and organizing of some of the office closets. Peggy also reported that we need to make sure and update the Strategic Plan for the coming year. She advised us to meet with our respective committees and get feedback for goals moving forward.

Megan went first (since she is leaving us:( on July 23) and talked about things she was wrapping up before her departure to California. She talked about ABEN and the correspondence with the appropriate staff there. She touched on convention and some last minute details she was tying up.

Tara was next and talked about the new and improved new member and renewal application. They should be ready in no time. She is also finishing up the marketing plan that hits on all aspects of the association.

Joy reported that Anthem renewals were complete as of July 1. It was a very busy time and all of our members were assisted in a timely manner.

Kristie let us know that all was well in the E&O department.

Arlene went last so that she could report on her recent trip to Atlanta for the Membrosia Users Group and the Cobranded website meeting. Membrosia is the database that we use to track all of our Members, Companies, Industry Partners, Events and Education courses. Also, we are going to migrate to a new website soon to make it more user-friendly. She also informed us that she was very busy working on the July/August Magazine and the Annual Convention promo.
Feel free to email us! We are here to help.

Take a look at the staff:
Left to right: Arlene, Kristie, Peggy, Megan, ME (Tee Cee) and Joy - Photo taken by Tara!

 

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Trusted Choice Big "I" National Championship

When: June 27 & 28, 2013
Where: The University Golf Club of Kentucky (Wildcat Course) - 4850 Leestown Road, Lexington, KY 40511

- The low 2 males and 2 females who qualify in the state tournament will represent Kentucky in the Trusted Choice Big "I" National Tournament (August 5-8, 2013 - Country Club of North Carolina Pinehurst, NC)

I was TOTALLY hanging out with the youngsters today! So much fun to see these 18 and unders compete on the golf course. We started out with a flood delay because of the crazy amount of rain Lexington received the night before. Once the players were OFF making birdies and pars, Megan and I directed the players around the flooded areas. I got to ride in the golf cart and show off the trophies. Then it started raining... again... so I decided to take a break in the car. But the players didn't stop. They continued to play despite the conditions. The first day was a little wet to say the least... but the sun was shining on Friday and the kiddos had a great second day of play.

I finally got to meet Moe Dugger, the chair of the Young Agents Committee for IIAK. He helped shuttle the players between nines and then presented the awards at the end. We became such good friends that we even shared a Sprite.

The Qualifiers for the National Tournament were:

Qualifiers from left to right: Ayla Rhinesmith, Madison Thomas,
Matthew Mahle and Chandler Morgan.

Boys
1st Place - Matthew Mahle from Lexington, KY
2nd Place - Chandler Morgan from Lexington, KY

Girls

1st Place - Madison Thomas from Shelbyville, KY
2nd Place - Ayla Rhinesmith from Georgetown, KY 


Click here for a complete list of results. 



Straight from the horse's mouth,