The PA Chamber Annual Dinner is a never-fail opportunity to bring together business and industry partners in PA.  Equally important, the Chamber brings current affairs to the members, whether political or social.  This year did not disappoint with former Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Donna Brazile and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie having a fireside chat with newly-appointed Chamber CEO President Luke Bernstein.  The point-counterpoint was civil with the most important message that Pennsylvania is critically important to this and future elections.  Speaking of past and present, we are often the last state for returns that make a critical difference to winning an election.  Your vote counts PA!!  Bernstein also had individual chats with U.S. Senate candidates Dr. Oz and Gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro.  The absence of their opposition was both disturbing and welcome as the candidates shared their vision of PA’s future.  Both candidates were focused on crime and gun violence in Philadelphia and beyond.  Both candidates fielded questions on favorite music and upbringing, as well as abortion and business taxes, which made the audience relate to both candidates.  Great job Luke and the rest of the Chamber team for an informative and enjoyable evening!  

The Insurance Council of NJ hosted the 2022 SITA Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey last week.  President Katterman joined her peers, as well as government affairs representatives from national carriers, to discuss the trends and challenges facing our industry.  Participants heard from experts in the areas of inflation, third party funding, the future of risk-based pricing, CAT model use, guaranty funds, and more.  SITA members also shared their views on association success and member value.  SITA is facilitated by the Insurance Information Institute (III) and meets weekly to share insurance-related news from across the country.

Last week, PAMIC hosted its annual Financial Management Seminar in Hershey that attracted over 80 members and business partners. The agenda included:

• a legislative updated by Lisa Katterman, PAMIC
• a focus on cybersecurity essentials by Derek Mueller, CISA
• an investment/economic update by Michael Rose, Opus Investment Management
• a focus on emerging risk and severe convective storms by James Waller, Guy Carpenter
• an actuarial/ratemaking/inflation panel comprised of Scott Esworthy, BSSF, Rusty Kuehn, Huggins Actuarial, John Pelka, Tuscarora Wayne, Eric Raski, Millville Mutual
• and a P/C statutory accounting and NAIC annual statement update by Jeff Clippinger, BSSF and Carrie Small, BSSF

Last week, PAMIC President Lisa Katterman and Steve Davis of Stradley Ronan met with leadership at the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) to discuss her new role, current topics of interest, and ways the two can work together in the future.  Attendees included: 

Acting Commissioner Mike Humphreys, 

Director Legislative Affairs Abdoul Barry 

Deputy Insurance Commissioner David Buono

Deputy Insurance Commissioner Shannen Logue 

Deputy Commissioner Melissa Greiner 

Acting Chief Counsel Kathryn Speaks 

Deputy Chief Counsel Jodi Frantz

Policy Director Katie Merritt 

Property and Casualty, Director and Administration Director Mark Lersch 

The PID continues on a hybrid office schedule, which will likely continue into 2023.  Staff reports that they have been busy processing a large number of auto rate filings and wrapping up some examinations of both P&C and Health companies.  Attendees spoke briefly on the recently published Act 41 Report and the possibility of eliminating all paper filings.  The two groups are also discussing a joint education event to potentially attract new company employees and students.  PAMIC is grateful for the opportunity to meet and looks forward to working together for many years.

On September 24th, PAMIC staff and members from Millers Mutual and Penn National Insurance participated in the BSSF Mini-Golf Annual Charity Event to benefit the United Way of the Capital Region.  Brown Schultz Sheridan and Fritz annually hosts this well-attended event with obstacle courses set throughout their office followed by a fun food truck reception where BSSF leaders recognized golf winners.  During this event, BSSF also proudly announced that it raised over $3,500 for the United Way, their highest one-night fundraising event to date.  

Join PAMIC for our upcoming annual Financial Management Seminar at the Hershey Country Club on September 15. This year's agenda to include:

8:00-8:30am: Continental Breakfast

8:30-8:45am: Welcome & Chairman Remarks

8:45am - 9:45am: Legislative Update

Lisa Katterman, PAMIC

9:45am - 10:00am: Mid- Morning Break

10:00am - 11:00am: Cybersecurity 

Derek Mueller, CISA

11:00am - 12:00pm: Investment/Economic Update

Michael Rose, Opus Investment Management

12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lunch Break

1:00pm - 2:00pm: Emerging Risk - Severe Convective Storm

Guy Carpenter

2:00-3:00pm: Actuarial/Rate Making/Inflation Panel

Moderated by: Scott Esworthy

3:00 - 4:00:  P/C Statutory Accounting and NAIC Annual Statement Update

Jeff Clippinger, BSSF

4:00pm - Closing Remarks & Adjournment

Register

It is tradition to host the Chairman's Dinner in partnership with a chosen charity. This year, the convention committee decided to partner with the Mountaineer Food Bank. In addition to our attendees contributions, Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company, Roanoke Valley Claims Service, and Lititz Mutual Insurance Company all have matched at different levels of donation, making the total $32,000!

Thank you to all who contributed to this amazing foundation!

As we return to in-person events, the 115th MAMAC brought together members from PA, VA, MD, WV, TN and NJ to celebrate the mutual industry and to hear impressive speakers from across the country on important topics such as inflation, independent agency systems, insurtech, ESG and more! We thank everyone who attended, sponsored, exhibited or presented at this event!

Check out our Facebook page for more photos: www.facebook.com/PAMICorg

In a few days, PAMIC will co-host MAMAC Meeting with members from PA, MD, WV, VA and more at the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, WV. If you are not registered, but want to follow along, you can keep an eye on our social media for updates!

Message from the President:  It is with deep gratitude and honor that we announce the official retirement of Ron Gallagher as President of PAMIC.  Ron has left a legacy of a stronger and modernized PAMIC.  He brought his regulator and technical expertise to the table and led the mutual industry through critical and evolving times.  Our best wishes to Ron as he embarks upon a much-deserved retirement.