Ruble Graduate Seminar - 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:

Robert Ford
CIC, CISR, CPIA, CRIS, MLIS, CLCS, ERIS

Robert Ford is Senior Vice President, and Director of Employee Development for Bravera Insurance Center. Bob started in the insurance business at age 19, when he was hired by Nodak Mutual Insurance Company as a territory producer in Wahpeton, North Dakota, and later transferred to Dickinson North Dakota. Bob returned in 1978 to Devils Lake, North Dakota to work in and purchase the family run agency. Bob sold his agency in 1998 and now works with Bravera Insurance Centers headquartered in ND. Over the years Bob has since involved himself in the insurance industry in several ways. Early in his career he started training with the IIAA of Iowa at the University of Iowa on an annual basis with their agency management school. These sessions were led by nationally known Dr. Emmett Vaughn. Those sessions helped Bob to lay the foundation for a good understanding of the insurance industry and the agency company relationships. Bob has also served on the Board of Directors for North Dakota PIA (Professional Insurance Agents) and served in that position for 13 years. During that time his favorite activity was chairing the education committee. He held that position for eight years. Bob especially enjoyed chairing the education committee because in his view a good technical education is critical to a successful career in the insurance industry. He has been privileged to serve as North Dakota PIA President and has also served as North Dakota PIA National Director. To further his education, Bob completed his CIC designation in 2001, and his CISR designation in 2006. In addition, he has earned the following insurance designations, CPIA (Certified Professional Insurance Agent), CLCS (Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist), MLIS (Management Liability Insurance Specialist), ERIS (Energy Risk Insurance Specialist) and CRIS (Construction Risk Insurance Specialist). Enjoying education so much, Bob continues his educational pursuits by teaching many insurance workshops each year around the country and is also a member of the national faculty for the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors

Speaker Day 1 and 2

Cathy Trischan
CIC, CRM, CPCU, ARM, AAI, AU, CRIS, MLIS, TRIP

Cathy Trischan entered the insurance business upon graduation from Rutgers University. After her first job as a claims adjuster for a carrier, she moved to the agency side of the business. She held various agency positions including Commercial Lines Manager, Producer and, most recently, Director of Commercial Underwriting. In 2023, she began to work full-time in her training and consulting business. Cathy is a National Faculty member and an Educational Consultant. She speaks in the CIC, CISR, Ruble and ProFocus programs and serves as a mentor for new CIC and CISR speakers. In addition to her work with The Alliance, Cathy is a regular presenter for various agents’ associations and other organizations. She has also written numerous articles on various insurance topics. A firm believer that one should never stop learning, Cathy holds several professional designations including CIC, CRM and CPCU.