Becoming Chris Boggs

In October 2008, my colleague and friend, Christopher J. Boggs, associate editor of MyNewMarkets.com and frequent contributor to Insurance Journal, wrote:

“The beginning of mandated insurance continuing education (CE) was the end of the true insurance professional. To be considered a ‘professional’ in today’s insurance environment requires only the completion of a pre-licensing class and the ability to endure continuing education classes. Participants are not required to prove they learned anything or to be able to apply the information; the sole requisite is to stay awake and feign attention for a certain number of hours. This does not a professional make.”

If you are familiar with his writings, you know Boggs has never been shy about sharing his opinion. This one got a lot of feedback — with more than a few people challenging his viewpoint. Of course, Boggs politely and professionally stood his ground.

The man who has more designations (CPCU, ARM, ALCM, LPCS, AAI, APA, etc.) than dogs have fleas takes his professionalism seriously, even while retaining his sense of humor about what he calls his “sickness” or “passion” for insurance knowledge.

His own passion has never been for the designation; it has been the desire for information so that he could better serve his clients. According to Boggs, true professionals are always researching, reading, observing and asking questions so they can be and do their best. He thinks learning and teaching are fun.

Professional insurance education takes many forms. It can encompass reading trade journals and newsletters, participating in association meetings, attending issue forums, building a reference library that includes the best Web sites, even debating problems and solutions with other industry professionals.

Of course, it can also take the form of participation in education programs.

Now Boggs — who took a chance two years ago leaving the insurance agency world for the world of insurance publishing — is once again putting his beliefs and professionalism on the line. Boggs is now the director of the Insurance Journal Academy of Insurance, (www.ijacademy.com), a new venture that ushers in an era not only for Insurance Journal and Boggs, but also for insurance education.

The Academy will feature high quality, intensive education and training Web programs that are relevant and useful. While CE credits may eventually happen, they will not be the driving force behind the selection of content or the motivation of the Academy’s students.

In addition to offering programs, the Academy promises to be a meeting place for like-minded insurance professionals, those with a passion for learning, and those who are like — or aspire to be like — Christopher J. Boggs.

Check out the Academy at www.ijacademy.com. Let Boggs know what you think. You know he’ll tell you what he thinks.