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 

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.

Speaker Day 2

R. Bryan Tilden
CIC, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, ARM, ALCM, SCLA

Bryan is a National Lecturer and Expert Witness in the field of insurance. Prior to starting his own firm, he was the Director of Technical Affairs and Director of Education for IIANC. Since entering the insurance business in 1974 as an Account Executive, he has worked for major brokerage firms on Fortune 100 accounts around the nation. He specialized in large retention programs, utilizing the international insurance marketplace. Tilden has been active in insurance education as a grading panel member for the Insurance Institute of America and the American Institute for Property Liability Underwriters. He has taught in every state in the U.S., and also teaches in Bermuda and Europe. He has served on the Education and Technical Committees for the IIANC and worked with the State of North Carolina on pre-licensing and continuing education. In 1988, IIANC presented him with the Ernest F. Young Education Award, and in 1989 Agent of the Year. He has taught in schools for both the PIA and IIA, been a speaker at RIMS and CPCU meetings, and has spoken at various conventions. He earned his CIC designation in 1977 and is a National Faculty Member for the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors. An active volunteer in rescue services, Bryan is an internationally certified technical rescue instructor.  In 2013, he received the Higgins and Langley Memorial Rescue Award for a Swiftwater Rescue Incident. He is a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators along with their NC Chapter, and teaches arson investigation courses.