Winds of Change

Wasn’t it just about the time folks in Florida were catching their breath from Hurricane Charley that Frances came a calling?

As this issue of Insurance Journal Southeast was being put to bed last week, yet another threat was looming on the horizon potentially for Floridians, Hurricane Ivan. Some folks it seems just never get a break.

It wasn’t determined at press time where exactly Ivan was headed, but folks in the Sunshine State could certainly use a break this hurricane season. I have a feeling the only Hurricanes folks in Florida would like to see are those from the University of Miami’s football team. That is unless you graduated from schools in Gainesville or Tallahassee.

The costs from this hurricane season are no doubt piling up, but it is the human toll that is of more concern. Rebuilding, while quite a monumental task, is something that can be done. Replacing a loved one lost to Mother Nature is not an option, so hopefully the death tolls in these events will remain low. While one death is one too many, things could always be a lot worse.

Our thoughts go out to those who have lost loved ones, property and more this season. Hopefully, the winds of change will do just that, take a different path out to sea and give Floridians and those living all up and down the East Coast a breath of fresh air the remainder of the year.

Speaking of winds of change, this is my last issue as managing editor for IJ Southeast.

Beginning with the Oct. 11 issue, Dave Kaiser will take over the role of man in charge. Kaiser has edited and managed a wide variety of magazines and newsletters over the years, and just returned from the Middle East where he edited a daily and weekly newspaper, technical magazines, newsletters, and medical and loss prevention magazines.

Kaiser will be based in Crystal River, Fla., north of Tampa and northwest of Orlando. If you have any news that impacts independent agents in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee or West Virginia, kindly send it to Dave’s attention at dkaiser@insurancejournal.com .

As for me, I’m going to direct my focus on all aspects of editorial content for InsuranceJournal.com and ClaimsGuides.com, making sure our readers have the latest news at the tip of their mouse. You may see my byline pop up from time to time on articles in the Southeast issue, so don’t send me packing entirely.

On the other hand, if you want to send this hurricane season packing, it is fine by me.