VAST CEO Scott White has announced that he will be stepping down as CEO effective March 1, 2022. Kelly Reed, a Marquette native, and currently a Risk Advisor at VAST will succeed White. White has been CEO of VAST since 1998. In addition to his duties as CEO, Scott has served on numerous industry advisory councils and was inducted into the Michigan Insurance Hall of Fame in 2021. He will officially retire from VAST in May 2022. Reed is a graduate of Northern Michigan University and has been with VAST for 15 years. He has worked in commercial insurance since … Continue reading

We’re living in strange times; it feels like time is passing so fast, but yet so slow. There’s a constant desire to keep up with all of the new information surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic, yet also an urge to just unplug and distance ourselves from it. Trying to keep up with everything can be overwhelming, exhausting, and anxiety inducing; but not paying attention to it causes ignorance to a global pandemic, in which we’re literally watching history unfold day by day. Many of us have faced some sort of transition in light of COVID-19; whether that’s going from working full … Continue reading

In 2019, I was fortunate to be part of a group of VAST employees who developed a plan to implement recycling in the office.  We had a desire not only to recycle, but also to reduce the carbon footprint of VAST and help the environment though waste reduction, recycling, energy conservation, and sustainability efforts.  Through the determination of a handful of dedicated individuals in the office, the Green Team was born. Throughout the year, the Green Team assessed the current state of VAST’s recycling efforts through Waste Audits and offered the employees of VAST opportunities to recycle rigids, fibers, batteries, … Continue reading

VAST recently announced that they have been recognized as a Top Insurance Workplace for 2020 by Insurance Business America (IBA). This is the third year of IBA’s Top Insurance Workplace list and the third year VAST has been named. IBA’s Top Insurance Workplace nomination process is heavily dependent on an anonymous employee survey. A minimum number of employee responses, and an 80% or greater employee satisfaction rating determines the Top Insurance Workplace recognition. VAST is just one of 67 companies on IBA’s 2020 Top Insurance Workplace list that includes other insurance agencies, brokers, and carriers from around the country. “We … Continue reading

I remember those feelings of my first day at VAST like it was yesterday. I was extremely nervous and excited, because it was such a big change for me. A new job, new industry, and even a new building to navigate. I had never worked in the insurance industry before, but I knew I was up for the challenge. When I walked through the door that morning, I was more than pleasantly surprised. All that worrying was completely unnecessary, because I immediately felt welcomed.  The very first thing I did that Monday morning at 8 am was meet the entire … Continue reading

Baby Boomers. Gen X. Millennials. Gen Z. They are all names given to the generation that you’re born in, but what does is have to do with the insurance industry? As with all companies, it’s important to stay ahead of the curve or move over. With the ever-changing world of technology revolving around us, “keeping up” is just as important for the world of insurance. One way to do this is by tapping into the traits of your clients, and those characteristics can differ depending on which generational category they fall into. Your Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and … Continue reading

On January, 21st, 2019 the team here at VAST had our 2019 Annual Meeting at Barrel and Beam brewery in Marquette. It was a full day of reflecting on 2018, as well as planning for a successful 2019. The day was productive and fun, complete with a guest speaker, taco bar, and a late afternoon happy hour for employees to mingle and chat about everything that had been covered throughout the day. As I think about the benefits of this meeting, one thing that comes to mind was the fact that we were out of the office at a neutral … Continue reading

Another year is in the bag for VAST and with it brought some great memories, successes, and celebrations. Let’s take a peek at some of the highlighted moments from 2018. 212°: This year’s focus was based off the concept of “212 degrees” – one degree more than the boiling point. This concept is about going the extra mile and adding that additional degree in all that we do to bring ourselves as a whole to “boiling”. Being “Lean”: Another concept of the year is becoming a “leaner” agency and improve our daily procedures so we work as a well-oiled machine. … Continue reading

Attending industry conferences can greatly benefit employees in many occupations, especially insurance.  VAST regularly sends team members to multiple different conferences throughout the year.  Doing so gives us educational opportunities, networking possibilities both with others in our industry and with vendors and suppliers, and prospects to grow within our fields of expertise in the insurance industry. VAST regularly encourages and sponsors its team members to take part in many different conferences and learning opportunities.  Some include specific educational opportunities and exams for different insurance agent designations.  Others focus on particular insurance carriers or sectors of the industry.  All conferences provide … Continue reading

  Leading industry publication Insurance Business America has launched its inaugural Top Insurance Workplaces report for 2018, a fascinating snapshot of the US insurance sector – and VAST is featured prominently on the list. Employees from organizations large and small across the whole of the industry were asked to share what they love and hate about their workplaces – whether it’s great benefits, great resources, great management or anything else. From the hundreds of companies that participated, only 51 hit the high standard needed to secure a spot on the list. VAST was among them. “We’re very excited to be … Continue reading