In the last two weeks I attended the Michigan State insurance association meeting, MTM Board meeting, the summer MTM staff picnic, and some MTM member shop visits. After these meetings I was reminded how different and special MTM is.

The insurance association meeting was attended by many fine people. In the group discussions, I was reminded that as good as these people are their master was most often the company stockholders. At the end of the day their products and services are built to reward their stockholders. At MTM with Board and Committee meetings held in our office, staff is constantly reminded that we exist solely because of our members. MTM is not a large or international insurance company, but rather a small group of shop owners who believe in combining their safety efforts to reduce the cost long term of their workers’ compensation insurance.

At the MTM Board meeting with the officers and managers in attendance, we get to hear the discussion and direction from ten Board members who are also MTM members. The personal and fiduciary focus is for what’s best for MTM members at large. Each summer we hold a MTM staff picnic. To change the pace a bit, this year’s picnic was held at the Rod Stewart outdoor concert. Given the age of most staff members, Rod Stewart is an icon. His singing of Forever Young while doing calisthenics (Rod is 72 years old) was amazing. This event also reminded me of the special MTM staff. Nearly all staff members have at least 30 years of experience. Most of that experience is with MTM. As an example, Glenda, who handles premium and endorsement underwriting service questions, has been with MTM for 36 years. Chris, our CFO, 29 years. Donna, VP of Claims, 22 years. Cindy, our Senior Claims Adjustor, 27 years, and our Claims Technician, Marci, 29 years. I could go on but you get the gist.

Last week while I was at the insurance association meeting, I arrived at the meeting hall about an hour early. With that extra time I wandered through the meeting hall and I noticed that a meeting room had an MTM member name on it. Shortly, some management members of that company arrived and I talked with them in the hall. I found out that not only were they having a management update meeting, but they were also celebrating the company’s 90th anniversary. A few days later I was visiting another member and saw in their lobby a sign that they were celebrating their 50th anniversary. MTM is full of these stories. We have history, traditions, dedicated long term staff, a focused Board and loyal members. What a winning combination. Until next time, enjoy the summer.