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Florida Surplus Lines Speaker Series Announced for FSU
FSLA, FSLSO, and FSU to Bring RMI Professional Voices to Students
TAMPA – (Aug. 7, 2024) – The Florida Surplus Lines Association (FSLA) and the Florida Surplus Lines Service Office (FSLSO) announced a partnership with Florida State University (FSU) to launch the “Florida Surplus Lines Speaker Series” in support of the future of the risk management profession. The announcement was made during the Florida Surplus Lines Annual Convention held in Tampa, Fla.
During the Convention’s Business Session, Mark Shealy, executive director of FSLSO, highlighted the initiative’s goal to integrate surplus lines into the conversation for risk management and insurance program students, ensuring these industry perspectives are included in the curriculum.
“It’s important we equip the next generation of insurance professionals with an understanding of the fuller market,” said Mark Shealy, Executive Director of the Florida Surplus Lines Service Office. “By integrating surplus lines into the curriculum, we ensure students have a well-rounded experience and are prepared for the complexities of a dynamic industry.”
The Florida Surplus Lines Speaker Series collaboration aims to enhance education and awareness in the surplus lines sector. The series will feature events twice a year, in both fall and spring, to engage with students and industry professionals.
“Attracting talent is imperative for tackling the critical risk management challenges that demand innovative solutions,” said David DeMott, CPCU, AMIM, ASLI, AU, ARM, ARe, president of the FSLA. “FSLA is proud to support the opportunities growing for students, the future of our profession.”
FSLA maintains a strong engagement with FSU’s Risk Management/Insurance (RMI) program through annual events such as “Insurance Days” career fairs and student speaking engagements. DeMott added, “These events are among the most rewarding for our members, who often find exceptional student interns who go on to become full-time employees.”
FSU’s Dr. William T. Hold/The Alliance’s Program in Risk Management and Insurance is one of the oldest and largest programs in the country, and consistently secures a top spot among the nation’s universities. Its faculty are ranked in the top 10 globally in contributions to RMI research, and its program was among the inaugural recipients to be awarded the distinction of being one of only 34 Global Center of Insurance Excellence in the world. The university’s Gamma Iota Sigma chapter was the ninth chapter in the country, established in 1975, and consistently receives awards during annual Grand Chapter meetings.
“Surplus lines are vital to the insurance industry in Florida,” said Dr. Charles Nyce, the FSU RMI program’s Department Chair and Associate Professor with Dr. William T. Hold/The Alliance’s Program in Risk Management and Insurance. “We are looking forward to this collaboration with professionals to educate the next generation entering this ever-evolving field. It is an exciting time to be part of the surplus lines industry, and we are eager to see the positive impact our graduates will make in the years to come.”
The need for comprehensive training across various industry sectors, including accounting, finance, actuarial science, HR, investment services, legal, loss prevention, and marketing, remains crucial. With a total premium of $15.4 billion in 2023, marking a 27.83% increase from the previous year, surplus lines continue to play a vital role in Florida’s economy.
“In our dynamic industry, the pursuit of knowledge and the recruitment of forward-thinking problem solvers must continue,” DeMott emphasized. “We encourage our peers in the profession to engage with student programs fostering an environment where learning and innovation thrive.”
About FSLA:
The Florida Surplus Lines Association (FSLA) represents excess and surplus lines agency member firms and associate members in Florida. Over the past 60 years, FSLA has advocated for the regulatory and legislative interests of its members and the Florida surplus lines industry, focusing on supporting opportunities and insuring risks throughout Florida. FSLA is recognized as one of the most active surplus lines associations in the nation. Learn more at www.myFSLA.com.
About FSU RMI:
Ranked No. 4 by U.S. News & World Report, the Dr. William T. Hold/The Alliance’s Program in Risk Management and Insurance, which is housed in the Department of Risk Management/Insurance, Real Estate and Legal Studies, is one of the oldest and largest programs in the nation, and consistently secures a top spot among the nation’s universities. The program’s curriculum includes courses in enterprise risk management; lifecycle management; insurer operations and products; data analytics; and employee benefits. Learn more at https://business.fsu.edu/departments/rmirels/dr-hold-program
.About FSLSO:
The Florida Surplus Lines Service Office (FSLSO) is a not-for-profit entity created by Florida Statute and regulated by the Florida Department of Financial Services and the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. It is overseen by a nine-member Board of Governors and responsible for one of the largest surplus lines markets in the U.S., as measured by the billions in premium written annually by the industry in Florida. To learn more, please visit: www.fslso.com
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