BIP Winter 2025

R egion VI is focused on growing both membership and engagement. RVP Kevin Trokey says the year ahead is about keeping the NABIP story front and center. “There’s still a lot of the rebranding and renaming story to be told,” he says. “That message is essential as we attract new members and reach younger professionals.” Trokey sees professional development as the thread that connects all of NABIP’s priorities. “The business world changes constantly,” he says. “Technology evolves, client needs shift, and we have to keep learning. NABIP gives members the structure and community to grow with those changes.” Although membership remains a challenge, Trokey is optimistic. “When people understand how their work connects to NABIP’s larger mission, they stay involved,” he says. “That’s where our growth will come from.” REGION VI Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas

REGION V Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee

A

s a new RVP, Angela Mlynarski is focused on strengthening the foundation of regional leadership. “I’ve spent the first few months really understanding my role and the people I’m leading with,” she says.

“What I’ve realized quickly is that many volunteers don’t have a clear understanding of the expectations tied to their positions.” To address that, Mlynarski is prioritizing training and com munication. Her goal is to ensure that every volunteer — from local leaders to state chairs — feels connected, informed and supported. “There’s nothing more frustrating than saying yes to a role and not knowing what you’re supposed to do,” she says. “That’s how we lose members. We have to fix that by improving education, mentorship and clarity.” Retention and succession planning remain top priorities heading into 2026. Mlynarski is also introducing a new structure for regional meetings, with one focused topic each month drawn from a list of shared pain points submitted by state presidents. “Instead of repeating updates, we’ll spend time problem-solving together,” she says. “Each state does certain things better than others, so let’s learn from each other.” She also plans to keep communication open and transparent across the region, ensuring that all market specialists, member ship chairs and other leaders feel heard and represented. “My goal is to help everyone feel valued and to make sure they see the value in their NABIP membership,” she says.

Winter 2025 bip magazine 41