Presidents Report

October 2008 

To the Membership: 

It is with great pleasure that I have served as the President of the Board of Marine Underwriters of San Francisco during the past 12 months.  I would like to take this opportunity to now report on our activities during the past year. 

Our current slate of officers and directors is as follows:

Class	Name	Company	Officer
2008	Cathy Hammer	Great American	Vice President
	David Fowler	Zurich
	Sandra Inouye	Fireman's Fund Specialty
2009	Bill Markham	Starr Marine
	Ben Walbridge	IMU
	Peter Knowles	RLI	Treasurer
2010	Brett Eckert	Travelers	President
	Patrick Hickey	AIG
	Julie Vogele	Fireman’s Fund Specialty	Secretary

With the departure of Richard Yerian the board was very fortunate that Ben Walbridge agreed to serve as director.  Mr. Walbridge brings with him many years of service and experience to the Board having served in prior years in many roles including 2 terms as President of the Board in 1990 and 1991.

The shining accomplishment of the past year was our 17^th Biennial Seminar and Golf Tournament held April 30^th, May 1^st and 2^nd of 2008.  Both events were well attended with 347 paid attendees at the seminar and 60 at the golf tournament.  During the three day period attendees had the opportunity to network with industry partners and listen and meet with our speakers which included the following.

Deirdre Littlefield, President, IUMI
James Craig, President, AIMU
Richard Decker, Chairman, AIMU
Dr. Robert P. Hartwig, President, Insurance Information Institute
Dan Purtell, President, First Advantage
John L. Garibaldi, President  & CEO, Hawaii Superferry
Jess B. Millikan, Shareholder, Bullivant Houser Bailey, and her wonderful panel of speakers
Captain James J. McNamara, President, National Cargo Bureau, Inc
Charles S. Donovan, President, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
Marilyn Raia, Of Counsel, Bullivant Houser Bailey PC
Carl Nolte, Chairman, National Liberty Ship Memorial

We thank them all for their contribution to our seminar. 

The Treasurer for the past year has been Peter Knowles of RLI.  Peter reported at the August 4^th 2008 meeting that the Board was financially sound having approximately $62,000 on hand.

Committee activities

Education – Sandy Inouye, Chairperson - The activities of the Education Committee consisted primarily of the Seminar held May 1st and 2nd 2008.  In an effort to support the continuing education of maritime personnel the Board made a $5,000 donation to California Maritime Academy General Scholarship fund during the Association of Marine Underwriters Annual Dinner held in late November of 2007. 

Website committee – Cathy Hammer, Chairperson - We continue to provide relevant information on the website.  Cathy is currently working to update the site to make sure all information is current.

Seminar Committee – Cathy Hammer, Chairperson – The committee is currently working to secure a location and date for the spring of 2010.

Lastly, I would like to thanks all those who contributed time and service to the Board.  This includes all the Officers and Directors and  the many volunteers who assisted during the Seminar.  Specifically, I would like to thank Richard Yerian for his many years of service to the Board and for assisting with the 2008 Seminar after his retirement from the industry. 

Sincerely,

Brett Eckert
President.

President.