Agency Management Institute - Classroom

Educational Consultant:
Gloria Thompson, CIC

Gloria Thompson began her career in the insurance industry over 40 years ago and obtained her insurance agent's license in 1984. She earned her CIC designation in 2000.  Gloria is currently employed by North Risk Partners as a Risk Advisor and enjoys the opportunities she has to mentor and collaborate with her fellow agents.  Gloria's passion for education and public speaking aligned her with the opportunity to instruct insurance courses. She has taught courses for several organizations, including the National Alliance's CISR program and Kaplan Professional Schools, as well as specific specialty topics written by her and presented at the MIIAB conventions. Gloria is a past board member for the National Alliance's CISR Board of Governors.  Through her service on the Board of Governors she gained in depth knowledge of the CISR program, and watched the program evolve over her six years of service.Currently, Gloria serves as the Education Chair for the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers, which serves as the oversight committee for the National Alliance's continuing education programs in Minnesota. Gloria appreciates the opportunities for mentoring, networking, and involvement in the insurance industry that these organizations provide.  She is also a member of the Twin Cities Insurance Club and has been a guest speaker for various insurance topics for the organization over the years.  She was named Agent of the Year by the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers in 2014.  Dan Riley, CEO of the association said, "Her professional experiences and her vast knowledge of the business have helped thousands of Minnesota agents become the best insurance professionals in the country."  Gloria completed her Educational Consultant training with the National Alliance in May of 2017, and now serves in that role on behalf of the MIIAB for Minnesota CIC and Rubles educational programs

Speaker Day 1:

Mary LaPorte
CIC, CPCU, CPIA, LIC, AINS

Mary is president of LaPorte Consulting, LLC which provides consulting services and education for the insurance industry.  With over 30 years of agency experience, she has held positions of agency Claim Manager, Personal Lines Manager, Excess & Surplus Lines Manager and agency principal.  She is licensed as a Property & Casualty Agent and Licensed Insurance Counselor in the State of Michigan.  She attained the CPCU designation in 1987, the CIC designation in 1992 and the CPIA designation in 2010.  Mary currently is on the national faculty for the Society of CIC and is an active member of the American Association of Insurance Management Consultants.  She conducts a variety of continuing education classes and moderates CPIA and E&O loss control seminars.   Mary acts as a consultant in the area of agency operations, workflow and Errors & Omissions loss control.  She writes a column called "E&O Q&A" which is published in several association periodicals and has authored a book titled "Mission:EXCELLENCE - Creating an Internal E&O Loss Control Program"

Speaker Day 2

Brian Bartosh LUTCF

Brian Bartosh is President of Spire America Holdings, Inc. which operates under the brand names of Top O' Michigan Insurance Solutions and Spire Insurance Solutions.  Based in Alpena, Michigan, the agency provides Property and Casualty Services along with Financial Services to its clients through a network of branch sales offices throughout Northern Michigan and virtually outside of their geographic area. 

Brian began his career in 1979 as an agent with his father's agency. In 1980, he installed the agency's first computer system for rating and marketing. In 1984, their first management system was put in place.  From the start, they have used the system to its fullest and have continued to implement the most current technologies available. Brian has served as chair of the users group for Applied Systems (Applied Client Network) and also previously as President in the late 1990's. He has primarily focused on product development and implementation of interface between agents and companies. Brian earned his Certified Insurance Counselor designation with The National Alliance (now known as the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance or The Alliance) in 2007 and has received his Life Underwriters Training Council Fellowship (LUTCF) designation as well. He has also served as a National Faculty Member of The Alliance and has been presenting on the topic of Agency Management since 2008. 

In addition to Agency Management, Brian is a frequent speaker on the issues of automation, implementation of improved workflows and marketing to clients and prospects. He is especially fluent on the topic of Real Time and how agencies can use this technology to not only serve their clients better but reduce their overall costs. He has spoken to groups throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom on these topics. In addition to speaking to groups, he has also authored many articles on these subjects, which have appeared in various national publications. Although much time is spent on supporting the industry, Brian also participates in his community.