Brantley Center and GIS Give Back

When Hurricane Helene struck Boone while our Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS) chapter was attending a conference, the urgency for action became clear. As students dedicated to risk management and insurance, they felt it was their responsibility to mobilize resources and demonstrate the leadership and service that define their organization. Our GIS Chapter utilized their social media presence to spread the word, posting on LinkedIn to encourage contributions from fellow industry professionals.

In just three days, the chapter raised over $12,000, demonstrating the incredible solidarity of both the GIS chapter and the broader insurance community. This rapid fundraising enabled them to quickly organize relief efforts, allowing for the purchase of essential supplies such as food, water, and clothing.

The response to Hurricane Helene exemplified the core principles of Gamma Iota Sigma: leadership, service, and dedication to the greater good. Their efforts to mobilize funds and supplies not only reflected their commitment to the community but also their ability to act swiftly and effectively in times of crisis.

While students were raising money and donating time, David Marlett and Jamie Parson set up tables at Plemmons Student Union, helping community members with insurance-related questions. They actively listened to concerns, and guiding individuals on how to get the necessary resources or support for their insurance needs. Additionally, Austin Eggers worked with the App State Resource hub to provide guidance on submitting FEMA claims.

Brantley Center Hosted 3rd Annual TopGolf Fundraising Event

The Brantley Risk & Insurance Center hosted its 3rd annual fundraiser event at TopGolf in Charlotte on August 8, 2024. The proceeds help the Brantley Risk and Insurance Center provide professional development activities, and to recruit and prepare the next generation of insurance leaders.

The event’s huge success is largely due to its sponsors. Amwins was the event’s peak sponsor and also contributed significantly to the logistics of the event. RT Specialty and Builders Mutual were the Gold level sponsors and Key Risk (a Berkley Company), Wholesure, Westfield, and CRC Insurance Services, sponsored the event at the Black level. Risk Placement Services, Inc. sponsored the Hole-in-One bay, and McGriff, Magnolia Grove Insurance Services, Sompo, North Carolina Surplus Lines Association and Zenith Insurance Company (United States) were all bay sponsors. A tropical storm could not stop this event!

Professional Development and Conference Travel

RMI Class Visits

RMI faculty see value in having professionals join class and lead lessons on their areas of expertise. This semester, students have had the pleasure of learning from leaders at Amwins, Granite Insurance, and Core Specialty. Thank you, Jon Humphreys, Managing director of Amwins Global Risks, Cameron Annas, President of Granite Insurance, Gracie Van Osdol, Account Manager at Granite Insurance, and Sarah Bryant, Vice President of Excess Casualty at Core Specialty for speaking to prospective and current RMI students.

Student Athlete Panel

The Brantley Risk and Insurance Center team hosted an event in early September for student athletes to learn more about Risk Management and Insurance career paths and opportunities with the help of former Appalachian State University student athletes’; Summer Schloss from Markel, Clinton Deas from Builders and Mike Mitchell from Risk Placement Services, Inc. These alums spoke about their careers, why the insurance industry is a great area to work, and how students can get involved with the RMI program at App State. Thank you, Summer, Clint, and Mike, for speaking to our students and providing valuable information!

Granite Social Event

Granite Insurance hosted an incredible social event at Tee 2 Green mid-September. Students had a fantastic time networking and enjoying some friendly competition on the virtual greens. It was a great opportunity to connect with the Granite Team, share insights, and learn all about the opportunities Granite has to offer. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a few impressive swings.

Brantley Brunch - First Citizens Insurance

The Brantley Risk and Insurance Center had the pleasure of hosting First Citizens Bank Insurance Services! Students enjoyed delicious breakfast foods while engaging in insightful career conversations about opportunities at First Citizen's.

This was a fantastic opportunity for students to learn about insurance services within a bank and explore exciting internship and job opportunities. A big thank you to Julia Benfield and Elizabeth Ann Bass for spending the morning with us and sharing your valuable insights! Your expertise has truly enriched our students' learning experience.

Annual ISCEBS Employee Benefits Symposium

Two RMI students, Adrian Everett and Claire Matas had the incredible opportunity to attend the 43rd International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists Symposium in Nashville, TN. Students had the chance to network with numerous industry professionals and attend informative sessions on a variety of topics in the employee benefits space, including gene therapies, neurodiversity in the workplace, and the practical implementation of a four-day workweek.

Southeastern RIMS Conference



Dillon Waschenbach and two students (Robert Dargan and Anthony Lenardi) attended the Southeastern RIMS Conference (Risk & Insurance Management Society). This annual educational event invites a select number of universities, including App State, known for their excellence in risk and insurance programs. The attendees were exposed to the latest trends in strategic, hazard, operational, and financial risk management.

IIANC InsurEXPO

Austin Eggers accompanied four students to IIANC's InsurEXPO (Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina). This experiential learning trip provided the students with access to valuable learning sessions and networking opportunities. The conference, which combines academic sessions with professional networking, is designed to enrich students' classroom experiences and help them secure future jobs and internships.



Congratulations Emma Goodson, Cecelia Cagle, Zeke Putnam and Connor Hall.

RMI Faculty Presented at NAIC Conference

Jamie Parson, David Marlett and Lorilee Medders presented at the 2024 NAIC Annual Conference. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is the U.S. standard-setting and regulatory organization, governed by insurance regulators from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories.

App Students attend WSIA in Atlanta

Four of RMI students traveled to Atlanta to attend the WSIA Extreme Risk Takers Symposium. They had the incredible opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of excess and surplus lines, gaining invaluable insights and connecting with industry professionals.

On the first day, they participated in engaging roundtable discussions and a career fair, paving the way for future career opportunities. Then they met up with alum Lee Koonce for dinner. The second day was equally enriching, with insightful presentations and a thought-provoking panel discussion.

Jackson Sumner & Associates host RMI students for Job Shadows

Danielle Wade, CPCU, CIC, Scott Banks and Jacob Ray, SHRM-SCP, MHFA hosted a group of 12 students at Jackson Sumner & Associates. Students got an introduction to the Excess and Specialty insurance process, and were able to sit in with underwriters as they managed their day to day workload. This experience gave students a hands-on look into the day-to-day life of an underwriter and the different things they get to write in the unadmitted market. The Brantley Center thanks Jackson Sumner & Associates for the opportunity for students to learn more about the E&S industry and lives of underwriters!

Gamma Iota Sigma Events

GIS Rho Successful Fall Open House



Appalachian State Gamma Iota Sigma had an amazing start to the semester with their open house! The event not only introduced students to the opportunities within GIS but also gave them valuable insights from peers who have successfully navigated summer internships. The internship panel, led by Adrian Everett, Mea Picone, and Zeke Putnam, have been particularly helpful for students looking to learn more about real-world experiences in the RMI field.



David Marlett and Dillon Waschenbach's discussion on the RMI major and EB minor, and the resources provided by the Brantley Center have further emphasized the benefits of pursuing these studies.

GIS Regional Conference

In late- September, David Marlett and Wendy Deng led 15 students from the Gamma Iota Sigma Rho Chapter attended the Annual Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. During the trip, students attended educational sessions and a career fair, where they networked with many insurance companies. Students were able to connect with their peers from other institutions to widen their network while learning of new events and projects they could bring back to their GIS Rho Chapter.

We are incredibly proud to announce that our chapter was named a Distinguished Chapter for the 2023-2024 academic year, which gave us the opportunity to competing for the prestigious Bowers Award.

As part of the Bowers Award team, Zack Middleton, Riley English, Hrisha Bhatty and Mea Picone competed for the first time and secured 2nd place out of seven chapters across the U.S.

We also received Chapter Achievement Awards for our work in Community Service, Diversity & Inclusion, and Public Relations. To top it off, we earned the Most Improved Chapter Award—a testament to how far we’ve come!

Last but not least, congratulate Wendy Deng for being recognized as Faculty Advisor of the Year!

GIS Speaker Event - Markel

Markel was on campus and spoke in a variety of RMI classes early September, and to our Appalachian State Gamma Iota Sigma. The Markel team provided great insight into the lives of Markel employees, trends within the field, and how students can apply for the Underwriting Training Program that so many App State students have joined. It was great to have Avery Fink, Summer Schloss, Tanner Grail, Sam Marlett, Steve Girard, and Breelin Motte back on campus!

GIS Speaker Event- Key Risk

Scott Holbrook, CPCU, Josh Evans, AIC and Chase P. from Key Risk (a Berkley Company) spent a day on campus presenting to several classes during the day and the Appalachian State Gamma Iota Sigma students in the evening. They helped the students better understand Workers Compensation and shared valuable guidance on professional development.

"We appreciate Key Risk as a strategic partner and Scott’s ongoing contributions as a Brantley center board member. It was very nice to have Josh and Chase back on campus sharing their experiences and providing guidance the current students” - David Marlett, PhD, CPCU.

GIS Celebrates Strategic Partners

GIS leaders took some time to enjoy the great fall weather and paint pumpkins of the Brantley Center Strategic Partners. This event is a great way for students to build relationships with new GIS members, celebrate the progess they have made throughout the semester and recognize the contributions of the companies that provide them the resources to travel, attain scholarships, and networking opportunities.

GIS focuses on Community Service

Riley English and Oliver Fogle lead the community service team for GIS, and had the idea to focus their community service efforts with one organization this year. Early in the semester, they polled the chapter to see which organization they would want to support throughout the semester. Hunger and Health Coalition was chosen and students jumped right in to various service opportunities in their free time. Several friday's throughout the semester, students go to Hunger and Health Coalition to sort food, manage donations, and give out donations to those in need.