Now that I've got your attention, there's nothing really bad or ugly about the Loss Executives Association. Having been around for three-quarters of a century, LEA manages to continually take an accurate pulse of the insurance industry–the newest and most prevalent challenges, obstacles, and, for lack of a better word, "strides" forward. This year's 74th Spring Meeting and Educational Forum reinforced that reputation.

Welcoming comments by The Honorable Alfred W. Redmer, Insurance Commissioner of Maryland, was proof positive that the industry at large, and its governing bodies, recognize the importance and clout of LEA's prestigious membership, consisting of the highest echelons of claim management personnel. The general sessions and workshops were timely and relevant, incorporating such topics as business interruption, the threat of terrorists and dirty bomb scenarios, fire loss recovery, and more.

And as they move forward in anticipation of its Diamond Jubilee in January 2006, the LEA has embarked on the daunting mission of reaffirming their strategic foundation and establishing refined priorities to make the association stronger and more responsive to the needs of an expanding membership. Among those priorities: