Get to know the individuals that ignite the insurance industry as they answer our icebreaker questions.  

Nancy Germond is a second-generation insurance professional and has written scores of risk-management articles. She is also the author of “Workers' Compensation in Two Hours: The Business Owner's Guide to an Exceptional Workers' Compensation Program" and frequently presents at industry conferences. 

She was the first risk manager of the city of Prescott, Arizona, and was the claims manager for several public entities. Formerly the risk and claims manager for the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association, Nancy has a bachelor's degree in communication and a master's degree in sociology, as well as several insurance designations. 

Hi, Nancy! Where would you go during a zombie apocalypse? 

Where we go almost every weekend: to our home in Skull Valley, Arizona, with a population of 350 and a lot of cows. I've lived there since the mid-90s and it's much prettier than it sounds. I think the name would keep most zombies away since they'd think everyone was already dead. 

LOL! When was the last time you laughed so much you cried? 

I hate to publicly admit this, but it was at a memorial service for a particularly offbeat friend. We have a close circle of long-time friends and whenever one passes, we hold spectacular memorials where we roast the poor individual with incriminating photos and stories of our years together. 

Tell us about a time you met a famous person. 

I studied poetics for three summers at Naropa's College of Poetics in Boulder, Colorado. Allen Ginsberg, the author of the famous poem “Howl," was my favorite teacher there. He was a kind and gentle teacher, open and very encouraging of my poetry. 

So, if you had to enter a talent show, what would be your performance? 

I am a performance poet, and I would read a couple of my rather lengthy epic poems. In between, I'd drop a few haiku. An “epic" poem does not mean it's epic, it means it tells a story. And I have some stories to tell. 

Yes, now we know; a lot of your answers so far were not fit for print. Who has had the biggest influence on your professional career? 

Undoubtedly my parents, who were both insurance agents. They guided me initially in my career and long after I became a risk manager because of the values they instilled in me. Their wisdom still reminds me that this is a people business. Integrity and strong relationships matter. 

Do you have any pets? If so, what are their names? 

We have two German Shepherds—my eighth and ninth—Pico and Traci. They are two awesome dogs, as are most dogs. They are the real stars of my social media platforms. 

What goals are you currently working toward outside of work? 

I have three books in the works, one on risk management and two of a personal nature. 

What phrase or cliché do you most live by? 

“A kick in the butt is still a step forward." 

We'll remember that for next time. Thanks for joining us, Nancy! 

This is a monthly column for Independent Agent magazine and iamagazine.com. To be featured, email hello@agencynation.com.