Kayla Cox

Human Resources Manager

What is your favorite part of the job?
The absolute best part of my job is having the opportunity to interview amazing candidates. I love learning about others’ passions and experiences, and I am privileged to get a glimpse into so many people’s lives.

What has been your most exciting project to date?
I am most excited to be a part of our diversity and inclusion initiatives! We are working hard to learn, build, and grow in this area. Continuously evaluating and updating policies, expanding recruiting efforts, and aligning volunteer efforts in our communities are just a few of the things I have been working on.

What is the best part about life at NAMIC?
I love that NAMIC takes a people-first approach. While pursuing my SHRM-CP designation, NAMIC offered educational assistance by funding my participation in a preparatory class. When my wife and I needed to move to a different city, leadership offered me the option to work remotely. When a pandemic arose, the company took every precaution to keep me safe. These are just a few examples of the flexibility and care that I appreciate about life at NAMIC!

Jennifer Steidler

Assistant Vice President - Human Resources

What makes you want to stay with the company?
My co-workers. I realize it is part of my job to sell NAMIC; however, this is the nicest group of people I’ve worked with during my career. Everyone is helpful, driven, and an expert in their field. There is something to be said for enjoying your workplace. I’ve had jobs where I dreaded going into the office every morning. I don’t feel that way when I wake up in the morning.

What is the best part about life at NAMIC?
NAMIC believes in the “head and heart” approach for decision-making. We believe in work-life balance, and we want our employees to find fulfillment in their roles. From senior leadership I often hear, “We work hard, now it’s time to stop and have fun.” This usually precedes a party team meeting, where we discuss a costume contest. We also participate in a wellness program aimed at physical fitness, mental health, healthy eating, and more – then reward staff with gift cards when we hit our personal health goals. It’s great to work for an organization that focuses on all areas of our lives and not solely on work.

What is your favorite NAMIC tradition or initiative?
The “Souper-Bowl” & Chili Cook-Off. NAMIC hosts many different parties throughout the year but competing for the coveted Souper-Bowl trophy is the most fun! Anyone on the staff may enter the contest, but everyone is welcome to taste and vote. It brings out the fun, competitive side of our staff, and we all get the benefit of tasty food!

Connie White

Executive Receptionist/Operations Administrative Assistant

What is your favorite part of your job?
It is always filled with adventure and new experiences. There are things I know I will get to be involved in every year, for example assisting with NAMIC events, one of my favorite areas to be involved in. Each year there are changes to handling events and along with that comes system changes, which means learning something new, a new set up to benefit NAMIC members.

Do you have a favorite memory at NAMIC?
Yes! My first NAMIC convention in San Diego. I will never forget that – it was fantastic, filled with long days and a lot of work, but filled with appreciation and excitement; and really all other events that followed that I had the privilege to attend and assist.

What does a typical day look like for you?
On a usual day, the phones are busy. Some days are busier than others – as with any position. I have several projects and requests going on from different departments daily, and I can honestly say I have worked with every NAMIC department and affiliate company. Now with COVID-19, my days are bit different, but still really great!

Lori Williams

Underwriter I

What development opportunities have you taken advantage of at NAMICO?

I have taken many insurance-related courses in order to achieve professional designations and to work toward advancement in my department. NAMICO has paid for all of the courses and also offers bonuses with each professional designation attained.

What adjectives would you use to describe the culture at NAMICO?

I would describe the culture at NAMICO as welcoming, inclusive, friendly, helpful, fun, thoughtful, inspiring, and work/life balanced.

What makes you want to stay with NAMICO?

The overall welcoming and inclusive culture of NAMICO makes me want to stay with the company. I love the fact that they treat everyone in every position equally and make them feel valued as an employee. NAMICO cares about its employees’ happiness, job satisfaction and work/life balance.

Tony Cotto

Director of Auto and Underwriter Policy

What adjectives would you use to describe the culture at NAMIC?
Committed and collegial are the first two that come to mind; everyone is prepared to do whatever it takes to play their role in service to our members and their policyholders, and we all work together across teams with positive attitudes to most effectively and proficiently achieve desired results.

What is your favorite part of the job?
Involvement in critical strategic and policy discussions with our members and government officials that seek to craft real solutions and ways forward for the future of the insurance ecosystem as new issues and challenges arise. We have the privilege of working at the intersection of politics, public policy, and an industry that provides everyday policyholders peace of mind while creating tremendous opportunities for the US and global economies; these are exciting and worthy causes to fight for, and we get to do that every day. Perhaps most importantly, we get to do it working with others who feel the same way and keep a healthy, humble attitude about it.

How did you begin working at NAMIC?
Following the last Kentucky governor’s failure to win re-election, I found myself at a bit of a career crossroads. While there were local options to practice law in Louisville and many opportunities to remain in government and politics if I had been willing to move our family back to Washington, D.C. When this NAMIC vacancy, which hit all the sweet spots came across my radar and was open to a remote arrangement, it seemed like a perfect match. Having collaborated with NAMIC staff previously in the D.C. office and on the NAIC/NCOIL insurance regulatory circuit, I knew a number of team members already and had no hesitation about joining a great organization when the position was offered.

Afzad “Bo” Baux

Building & Grounds Manager

What adjectives would you use to describe the culture at NAMIC? 

Nice Members 
Alive Atmosphere 
Modern Workplace 
Important Work  
Cheerful Co-workers 

What has been your most exciting project to date? 

I have had the privilege to help with the design and reconstruction of the NAMIC office giving the building a modern feel and better functionality.

Do you have a favorite NAMIC memory?​  

It was January 2 of Two Thousand-Something and the building was getting a new roof installed. I received a call from the executive assistant who had only been working with us less than three months at the time. She called me on my cell as I was on the way to work. I picked up and I heard the most timid voice very calmly and softly say “The ceiling tiles fell down on Chuck’s desk [NAMIC's president/CEO] and water is dripping in his office.” When I arrived I got the roofing contractors to repair the leak that was coming from the roof and I began the cleanup. It’s always been funny how she felt that she was pestering me by letting me know what was happening. Good Times!