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REVIEW OF ALIC ANNUAL MEETING

HELD MAY 18-20, 2008

MESSAGE FROM THE PAST PRESIDENT

Robert J. Berdan

2008 Annual Meeting:  The Association’s 2008 Annual Meeting was held May 18-20 at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia.  The Association’s Annual Meeting was moved from the Greenbrier to The Homestead just ten weeks before the event to avoid the potential of labor disruption at the Greenbrier.  Despite the last minute venue change, the 146^th meeting of the members of the Association was well attended, most successful and fulfilled the essential purposes of the Association --- learning from and with others and furthering the professionalism of the life insurance bar.  

President Berdan welcomed the approximately 230 attendees to the traditional opening reception on Sunday night, where he introduced 37 first time attendees and new members and their spouses to the assembled members of the Association.  Immediately prior to the welcoming reception, new members gathered to meet personally with Board members, section chairs and the officers of the Association.  

On Monday, the first General Session of the meeting was gaveled to order by President Berdan, and the meeting opened with back-to-back keynote addresses from Governor Frank Keating, the President and CEO of the ACLI (who offered perspectives on the political scene in Washington, D.C. and its implications for the industry), and the Honorable William H. Pryor, Jr., Judge, 11^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, (who spoke on whether judicial independence is changing).  “Change on the horizon and what it means for our industry” was the meeting’s theme and the General Session presentations and the balance of the breakout sessions dealt with change and its impact on our industry.   

On Monday afternoon, the traditional ALIC social/sports events were held.  In addition to the usual golf, tennis and croquet, members also had an opportunity to participate for the first time in sporting clays.  All participants seemed to enjoy the venue, the weather and the camaraderie.  

On Monday evening, the Association hosted its traditional formal dinner-dance, where J. Michael Keefer received the Buist M. Anderson Distinguished Service Award.  Mike talked about the meaning and importance of the Association during the course of his distinguished legal career.  His comments were moving and a tribute to the Association’s rich traditions and purpose.  After the dinner, members and their guests danced the night away to the sounds of The Scott Langston Quartet. 

Tuesday’s General Session kicked off with a panel on Principal-Based Regulation, asking is it a solution or a problem?  This topic was followed by the annual Business Meeting which included reports from Phillip E. Stano, Secretary/Treasurer of the Association, and Tony Pelle who gave his final ABA delegate report.  Due to the excused absence of Past President Karen Shaff, Mike Keefer presented the report of the Association’s Nominating Committee, after which the members unanimously elected Michele Gatto as President-Elect, and Phillip Stano was re-elected as Secretary/Treasurer.  In accordance with the Constitution of the Association and by virtue of his office as President-Elect, Tracy Rich succeeded to the office of President and became the 80^th President of the Association.  Newly elected members of the Board of Governors are:  Teresa Rasmussen, Dick Dunham, Sharon Cheever, Paige Freeman and Leon Roday.  President Berdan also thanked present outgoing Board members Louis Singer, Tom Workman, Mike Velotta and Tony Pelle for their contributions to the Board and to the Association. 

The Business Meeting was followed by two additional general session presentations entitled An Ethical Morning at the Movies, and Retaining Electronically Stored Information While Retaining Your Sanity.  After the presentations were concluded, President Berdan reminded attendees that the next Annual Meeting would be held at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, California on May 3-5, 2009.  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 fortunate to have as presenters some of the most knowledgeable practitioners in their fields; their insights and prepared materials provided attendees with both excellent scholarship and sound, practical advice.

Click here to view the photo album from the 2008 meeting.