Reflections from the Chair
By Mike Bergerson
Long-Term Care News, November 2022
“You don’t have Nixon to kick around anymore. Because, gentleman, this is my last press conference.”[1] After losing the 1962 California gubernatorial election to Pat Brown, Richard Nixon uttered these words to the press regarding the “end” of his political career. Of course, we all know history had a different story—Nixon returned to win the 1968 presidential election.
I initially ran for the LTC Section Council in 2017 but was not successful. In a brief moment of self-pity upon receiving the results, I informed a colleague, “At least I’m done with that and don’t have to worry about it anymore.” I was immediately chastised by my colleague for wallowing and was encouraged to think of how I could volunteer in other ways and not to close the door on running again.
Ultimately, I decided to run for the council again in 2019 and was elected. As I think back on the last three years, I am so thankful that I ran for election a second time.
Although the pandemic prevented us from meeting in person for most of my term, video calls allowed us to connect and interact personally more frequently than ever before! I was able to learn and hear directly from industry veterans who lived through the heyday of the LTC market. Younger professionals provided new and different perspectives to the council.
The Section has had many accomplishments over the last few years. Instead of listing them and patting ourselves on the back, I would like to thank the volunteers who helped by contributing.
Contributions come in all shapes and sizes, and all of them are important. Some can be small but timely and essential, such as a suggestion for a webcast or industry conference session. Others entail a bigger time commitment, such as editing the Section newsletter, hosting podcasts or participating on a Project Oversight Group (POG) for a research project.
My biggest hope for the future of the Section is to hear from more voices. There are good ideas out there, I know it! You’ve told me some of them in one-on-one conversations. If you are shy, I encourage you to speak up. Volunteer when you are able to do so. Become a Friend of the Council,[2] if you are not already! This advice is for actuaries and nonactuaries alike—volunteer contributions across the spectrum of LTC professionals provide diversity of thought and make our Section better.
I leave the Section in very capable hands. Three newly elected members are eager to join the remaining council and will have begun their terms by the time this article is published.
I am humbled to have had the opportunity to serve on the council and as the chair this past year. Unlike Nixon, you won’t see me running for President (even of the SOA), but I hope to see you on a future council call, on a POG, or at an industry meeting.
Statements of fact and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and are not necessarily those of the Society of Actuaries, the editors, or the respective authors’ employers.
Mike Bergerson, FSA, MAAA, is a principal and consulting actuary at Milliman. Mike can be reached at mike.bergerson@milliman.com.