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REVIEW OF ALIC ANNUAL MEETING

HELD MAY 6-8, 2007

MESSAGE FROM THE PAST PRESIDENT

Karen E. Shaff

2007 Annual Meeting:  The Association’s 2007 Annual Meeting was held May 6-8 at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, California.  This was the first west coast meeting of the Association and we could not have been more appropriately welcomed by the clear blue skies, ocean breezes and warm temperatures.  While enjoying the del Coronado, the fellowship of the members, the wide sandy beach and ocean views, the members of the Association fulfilled the purpose of the Association --- learning from and with others and furthering the professionalism of the life insurance bar. 

President Karen E. Shaff welcomed the approximately 270 attendees to the traditional opening reception on Sunday night, where she introduced several new members of the Association and their spouses.  Immediately prior to the welcoming reception there was a new member reception for new members of the ALIC. 

On Monday, the General Session portion of the meeting was gaveled to order by President Shaff and began with the keynote address from Iowa Insurance Commissioner Susan Voss, who offered perspectives on insurance regulation and current significant issues for the industry.  Challenging issues for the industry was a theme of the program and the General Session presentations and most of the breakout sessions that morning dealt with this theme. 

On Monday afternoon, the traditional sports events were held.  In addition to the traditional golf, tennis and croquet, members had the opportunity to participate in beach volleyball which presented many opportunities for members to experience extensive contact with the sand.  All in all, members enjoyed the various competitions which were competitive and fun.  

On Monday evening, the Association hosted its dinner-dance, held on the lawn adjacent to the beach outside the Hotel del Coronado, accompanied by the high energy sounds of the band Innovation.  After the dinner, members and their guests migrated to the dance lawn until the wee hours. 

Tuesday’s General Session kicked off with the annual Business Meeting and reports from Phillip E. Stano, Secretary/Treasurer of the Association.  In the absence of Past President Debbie Long, Mary McGinn then presented the report of the Nominating Committee, following which the members elected Tracy Rich as President-Elect, and Mr. Stano was re-elected as Secretary/Treasurer.  In accordance with the Constitution of the Association and by virtue of his office as President-Elect, Robert Berdan succeeded to the office of President and became the 79^th President of the Association.  Newly elected members of the Board of Governors are:  Paige Freeman, Leon Roday, Katharine Weber, Scott Davis, Victoria Fimea, Michael Haverkamp and Cynthia Shoss.  President Shaff also thanked outgoing Board member Michelle Gatto for her many contributions to the Board and to the Association. 

The Business Meeting was then followed by several presentations in keeping with the theme of Monday’s General Session.  After the presentations were complete, President Shaff reminded attendees the 2008 Annual Meeting would be held at the Greenbrier on May 16-21.  The meeting was then adjourned and all speakers were invited to attend a reception in their honor hosted by the officers and governors of the Association 

Attendees were indeed fortunate to have as presenters some of the most acknowledgeable practitioners in their fields, and their insights and prepared materials provided attendees both excellent scholarship and sound, practical advice.

Click here to view the photo album from the 2007 meeting.