Litigation

The National Structured Settlements Trade Association ("NSSTA") has announced a strong group of nominees its Board of Directors for the 2010-2011 year

Joseph Barnet, Prudential
Len Blonder, EPS Settlements
Joseph A. Di Gangi, Millennium Settlement Consulting
Randy Dyer, Ringler Associates
Jim Ebel, Selective Settlements International
Paulette Jacobsmeier, EPS Settlements
John Machir, Ringler Associates
Spooner Phillips, IV, Forge Consulting
 

Five from the above group will be voted in at the upcoming NSSTA Annual meeting to join the following ongoing Board members:

Dan Durbin  Allstate Life Insurance Company
Dan Finn, FInn Financial
Betty Gregware  John Hancock
Mike Kelly  SFA
Jim Logan  James E Logan Ltd.
Larry Niemi Niemi Associates

My vote

1. In my opinion former NSSTA Randy Dyer, who recently joined Ringler Associates should be a shoe-in. The industry has sorely missed Randy's mojo. Randy brings the industry knowledge and gravitas that will be essential in helping build consensus and a strong familiarity with Washington.  I have stayed in close touch with Randy since he left his position as Executive Director and he's right on the pulse of what's happening as one would expect him to be.

2. Unless I'm wrong Joe Barnet is an automatic as there is no other life company person running

3. Joe DiGangi is a class act and in my opinion a strong potential future NSSTA President.

4. Len Blonder-what hasn't Len done for the industry while at the same time setting the example about how to run a successful structured settlement practice?

5.  A tough one

Jim Ebel- another class act, experienced, progressive thinker. My first choice and being heavily promoted by outgoing board member Doug Brand.

John Machir- Machir's been there, done that. National Marketing Director for the largest structured settlement firm for many years. Perhaps not the choice for the left wing or middle of the road, but he knows what he is doing. Years of leadership with NSSTAPAC.

Paulette Jacobsmeier-like her, would probably add an energetic voice, would break the "50+ male dominance" that Pat Hindert squawks about, but I don't think it's her time and if Blonder gets in she's not in by default.

H.H. Spooner Phillips, IV- Surprising as it might seem, I think someone from Forge, like Spooner, would add something different to the Board. Yet I don't think he is yet at the level of DIGangi. In my opinion the NSSTA Board of Directors needs to uphold the NSSTA Code of Ethics. Would electing Phillips to the Board make mockry of the NSSTA Code Ethics, given his execution of a declaration under penalty of perjury in 2005 that he did substantial defense work for 3 years at the same time as he and Forge marketed plaintiff exclusivity?  Is a seat on the NSSTA Board the reward for such behavior?  We've already had board members whose representation of the industry's professional designation has been less than accurate and outside the NSSTA guidelines. Yet revelations that he smoked pot but "did not inhale" didn't affect Bill Clinton's presidential candidacy in 1992 so who knows?  On the other hand how do you resolve the recent bylaws amendment created to thwart  undue control by the industry conglomerate, without having Spooner on the Board?  Does Phillips have enough industy wide respect among plaintiff advisors so that having Phillips and DIgangi on the Board would help neutralize some of the criticism using outdated material that is lobbed against the NSSTA and its members from the industry's left wing?