NAME: Steve Bryant
NEW JOB TITLE: Lubbock, Texas-based managing director, higher education risk management leader, Risk Strategies Co.
PREVIOUS POSITION: Lubbock, Texas-based managing director for the Office of Risk Management, Texas Tech University System
INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: The outlook is great, and opportunities for creativity in structuring risk transfer or retention plans are intriguing.
GOALS FOR NEW POSITION: Help grow the higher education practice using creative team development and efficient processes and working smarter.
CHALLENGES FACING THE INDUSTRY: Rates and premiums continue to increase, albeit at a slower pace than we experienced the past two years. Limited capacity is also something were seeing, and it is driving limit reductions. That coupled with increased retentions/deductibles and more stringent underwriting requires the insured to demonstrate that they are a top-shelf client.
FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY JOB MARKET: Working the mail room in a small west Texas insurance agency.
ADVICE: Seize every opportunity, no matter how small, to engage this industry. Look for opportunities to mentor with a veteran of the business. Obtain professional designations, ARM, CRM, CIC, etc., not just for the content, but for the network you will build. Expect to learn something new every day.
OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY, A DREAM JOB: CrossFit instructor
COLLEGE MAJOR: General studies with a few business courses sprinkled in.
LOOKING FORWARD TO: Team building, meeting new colleagues, making new acquaintances, and assisting institutions with creative and effective programs.
FAVOURITE MEAL: Christmas dinner with the family no matter what is served.
BOOK: Win The Day, by Mark Batterson
HOBBIES: Hunting and hiking
TV SHOW: I have two: Lone Star Law and Northwoods Law
ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Yard work, believe it or not. I find it therapeutic.
