In this Issue

We are always surprised where copies of the Insurance Advocate turn up. Typically you will find one on the front table in most insurance offices in New York and New Jersey, having been read and placed there among other industry publications. Such is the case with a recent issue which greeted us pleasantly in the offices of Global Liberty on Long Island, where we were happy to see one of our crossword puzzles filled out completely. We have put this feature on hold as we are reorganizing those pages presently. Some of you have asked us about the crossword puzzle and we are contemplating placing it back in its customary location before long… With respect to turning up in strange places, it may strike our readers as a little bit off the track to have an article about the Executive Life process that appears in this issue. It is not mainstream to most. The article is not intended to be a criticism of anyone currently at the Insurance Department or the Bureau – in fact we have had good things to report on these fronts. It points to the premises of a process that very well may need to be revisited. Perhaps Mr. Bickford’s thoughtful article will show up in the deliberations of those who seek to change the system for the better…In this issue, we present both Jamie Deapo’s and Steve Ruchman’s articles; customarily, these appear one at a time in the magazine, but we thought we would present them both in this issue as they are good reading and we received them, as Yogi says “at the same time simultaneously.” We will resume our tag team approach in the future issues. Both men are dedicated advocates for insurance agents and for all that implies for the proper delivery of insurance. We’ve known Steve and Jamie for many years and have watched them advance their careers and advance the associations with which they are so closely involved. We are as always, delighted to present their viewpoints to our readers… In an article in this issue, we present the Life Insurance Council of New York’s (LICONY) legislative update and some photos from its recent 40th anniversary. The Life Insurance Council of New York demonstrates a sound degree of modesty in celebrating itself but, nonetheless, possesses a stage presence and force that is among the strongest in Albany. Years ago, LICONY celebrated its association annually with an elaborate dinner dance at the Plaza Hotel – black tie and couples only – and risked sending the wrong message to legislators and regulators. On the other hand, in those days the level of communication among lobbying organizations and legislators was quite different and the Insurance Department’s participation in such events was not in the least bit limited, except perhaps by personal predilections. Today, the environment has changed and things need to be kept crisp, objective and arms length. This has percolated all the way down to meetings such as LICONY’s, where modesty and evident boundaries are in good order. We compliment Tom Workman and his staff on their work and call your attention to their legislative concerns which appear in this issue. Enjoy.