After more than four decades serving his community as an insurance agent, lifelong Seward resident Mark Suhr stepped into a national leadership role as president of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents.
PIA, an organization that represents professional independent insurance agents and their employees, installed Suhr as president for a one-year term on Oct. 1.
A graduate of Kearney State College, now the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Suhr is a Certified Professional Insurance Agent, a Certified Insurance Counselor and a co-owner of Suhr & Lichty Insurance Agency. He has been with the agency for the past 41 years.
Suhr’s father was an insurance agent. When Suhr was a child, his father explained that an insurance agent is someone who gives people money during an emergency. Suhr saw his father as a financial superhero. When he got older, he delved into the premiums and policy terms and paperwork side of things, and he retained his love for helping others.
“It’s kind of nice to be able to help people and protect them financially from issues and have a plan for the right insurance coverages and types,” Suhr said.
Seward has experienced several damaging storms in the past several years, and Suhr said it is rewarding to be able to help people financially recover from those difficult times.
Suhr has served the PIA on the local level for decades and joined the board of directors about five years ago.
He said staying active in the insurance world keeps him educated on everything that happens in the industry. He can then pass this knowledge to his clients as they work through insurance processes.
The PIA Board of Directors elected Suhr as president after reviewing his campaign and interviews.
Suhr said he was surprised to be selected, as it is more difficult for people from less populated states to make the cut. He is the third president from Nebraska in the association’s 94-year history.
He is looking forward to helping PIA continue with its work in advocacy, keeping up with the changing industry and AI integration. He will also be happy to speak at conventions across the country.
Suhr is also involved in several community organizations, such as the Seward Civic Center Commission and his church. He will complete his last month as president of the Seward Volunteer Fire Department in November.
He said he feels a call to service and believes people have a duty to be part of organizations related to their field of work. This helps make them better at their jobs and allows them to be part of shaping the future of the industry.
“I’m a true believer that you need to give back to the association or things that made you,” he said.
