In the newest installment of ACN Chapter Chats, we speak with Ashley Campbell of 2021 Chaper of the Year winner Maine about her history in the insurance industry and how she — and the Maine Chapter — combatted the challenges that arose during the pandemic.
Connections: Talk a little bit about your history in the insurance industry and your current role.
Ashley: In 2017 I made a career change from being a legal assistant to taking the plunge into insurance and now I am the operations specialist for Downeast Insurance.
Connections: How long have you belonged to ACN’s Maine Chapter? What was your motivation to join?
Ashley: I was motivated to join ACN’s Maine Chapter in 2017 in order to network with other local insurance professionals, to gain more knowledge and understanding of our agency’s management system, and how best to utilize it in order to benefit our agency. In 2020, I became the secretary for the Maine Chapter, and in the Spring of 2021 brought a few more changes which led me to become president of the Maine Chapter.
Connections: What does your day-to-day look like having to manage your agency role and your role as part of the Maine Chapter?
Ashley: My day-to-day agenda, for the most part, hasn’t changed all that much since adding the role of being a chapter officer for the Maine Chapter as one of my roles.
Connections: How has COVID-19 affected business operations and what practices have been implemented to maintain productivity?
Ashley: When COVID-19 first started, like many other businesses and agencies/brokerages, almost everyone was sent home to work remotely. I know at Downeast Insurance we had networked with other local agencies who are members of the Maine Chapter to see what practices and guidelines they were adopting and how they would be implemented.
Connections: Do you think intermittent remote working will become a mainstay in the insurance industry?
Ashley: I do think remote working/intermittent remote working will remain steady in the insurance industry.
Connections: What are some innovative ways the Maine Chapter is helping ACN members stay connected?
Ashley: In addition to being one of the few chapters to pilot virtual meetings, the Maine Chapter created a Facebook page to share what is going on with our chapter membership. We had a virtual presence as a vendor at the state insurance convention to get our name out there, share what we do and how others can join the membership. Our chapter also hosted a continuing education class this past July, which had wonderful turn out from members and non-members. Our chapter has a couple of other innovative ways we are hoping and planning on staying connected with our membership in the future!
Connections: What would you say is the most beneficial part of being involved with the Maine Chapter?
Ashley: In my opinion, one of the most valuable parts of being involved in the Maine Chapter of ACN is the networking with other insurance professionals, and continuous learning opportunities that ACN provides to all members. It is truly a user-helping-user experience that is super beneficial on a professional and personal level.
It is truly a user-helping-user experience that is super beneficial on a professional and personal level.