Meeting Information

Robert Ford is Senior Vice President, and Director of the Property Casualty Division for American Insurance Center. Bob started in the insurance business at age 19, when he was hired by Nodak Mutual Insurance Company as a territory producer in Wahpeton, North Dakota, and later transferred to Dickinson North Dakota.

Bob returned in 1978 to Devils Lake, North Dakota to work in and purchase the family run agency. He has been with Ford Insurance Agency ever since.

Bob has since involved himself in the insurance industry participating in several programs. Early in his career he started training with the IIAA of Iowa at the University of Iowa on an annual basis with their agency management school. These sessions were led by nationally known Dr. Emmett Vaughn. Those sessions helped Bob to lay the foundation for a good understanding of the insurance industry and the agency company relationships.

Bob's next step was to become involved with the local association. He was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for North Dakota PIA (Professional Insurance Agents), and served in that position for 13 years. During that time his favorite activity was chairing the education committee. He held that position for eight years. Bob especially enjoyed that because in his view education is critical to a successful career. He has been privileged to serve as North Dakota PIA President and has also served as North Dakota PIA National Director.

In trying to further his education, Bob became involved in the CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) program and has completed that designation. In addition, he has earned the following designations; CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative), CPIA (Certified Professional Insurance Agent), and CLCS (Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist)

Enjoying education so much, Bob continues his educational pursuits by teaching many insurance workshops each year around the country, and is also a member of the national faculty for the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors.

As for local service to his community, he is heavily involved in Bethel Evangelical Free Church. He serves there in several capacities.

Keith has over 40 years of experience involving production and consulting activities. His primary focus is to support the insurance and legal community in understanding and applying business income and extra expense coverages at the time of loss.

Previously Keith served as president of Professional Training Associates, Inc. (PTA), an education management and training company where his primary focus was on developing and delivering live web-based training programs for insurance agents, brokers, and carriers.

He also served as the Director of Education for the IIA of Kentucky, and on the National Education Committee and the National ACSR Exam Review Committee for the IIA of America, and the License Administration Committee for the Kentucky Department of Insurance. In addition, he served as Education Chairperson for the Kentucky Chapter of CPCU.

Keith earned his CIC designation in 1981 and has served as CIC National Faculty and Ruble faculty since 1994. Keith also serves as a CIC Educational Consultant for The National Alliance.