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Ten Years of Dedication Takes a New Turn
Networking, information sharing, and business aggregation are critical building blocks of any industry association. Kevin Veleke has certainly supported these activities on both ARM local and national levels. Kevin has been a Board member for the past ten years, including six years as an ARM Partners Region 7 member. In the former ARMI organization, he was president for Washington and represented the state at the national level. Please join us in applauding Kevin as he passes his responsibilities as Board member to Brian Roberts (see related story, this issue).
Kevin launched his insurance career 27 years ago, when he needed a job. A friend, and coincidentally president of the agency where Kevin eventually worked, provided both an opportunity and training. Public entities, in particular school districts, have been the primary focus of his career. Five years ago, he launched the agency's risk management department and currently works on a consulting basis as a specialist in MERTS response planning, workers compensation and safety.
The ARM membership journey began for Kevin in 1990, when his agency acquired an agency, which, was an ARM member. Kevin became the ARM Representative. ìWe continued the ARM membership because we thought it would add value to our group,î Kevin recalls. There are 18 agencies in Washington, all representing various communities within the state. ìOver the years, we were able to aggregate our volume for profit sharing purposes. We couldn't do it individually, but accomplished it as a group.î Kevin firmly believes that networking with other membersómeeting people, learning about markets, how to negotiate contractsóis a significant bonus.
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The
changes that Kevin has witnessed during the past ten years
are truly significant. Kevin claims that ARM's strong leadership
propelled a successful transition from the former ARMI
to the new ARM. He feels that the Gallagher acquisition
of ARM Enterprises was a productive deal for both sides.
"Gallagher has created opportunities and has offered many
resources that propelled the partnership forward."
How will Kevin continue to contribute post Board service? He sees a future role serving as historian on both a local and national level. ìI've always said that every organization needs a historian so that we should not forget where we have beenóit can help us plan the future.î Though Washington State is very strong financially, Kevin wants to encourage the group to use more ARM programs. Kevin sums up the plan: ìIt comes down to taking information that you learn and being able to distribute it among other agencies.î He feels that he can add value by being around to remind people of the benefits of networking, the value of working together to aggregate, and the advantage of looking for new opportunities.
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