The Big I Virginia Winter 2022-23

PRESIDENT & CEO
ROBERT N.
BRADSHAW, JR., MAM
rbradshaw@iiav.com
IT IS A POLITICAL THING … AND A RELATIONSHIP THING
When I first joined the staff at IIAV — after over
20 years in D.C. — I asked the membership
if they knew or had contacts with any of the
legislators … and if they did, to please introduce me to
them. Bill Ball an agent in Richmond introduced me to
Sen. John Chichester who was at the time President Pro-
Temp and Finance Committee Chair of the Senate. Next
to the House Leader, Sen. Chichester was one of the most
important people in the Legislature. I recall going to meet
the senator at his office and he was engaged in a rather
angry conversation on the phone with the governor at the
time. I was a little taken aback but when the senator hung
up the phone, his demeanor changed dramatically and he
welcomed me to Richmond. The three of us discussed the
insurance industry for a little while and before we closed
our meeting, Sen. Chichester told me that he would NOT
carry any legislation for me. Because of his position, and
many demands for quid-pro-quo voting, that he didn’t
want to be put in an unethical position. Further, because
of his involvement in the insurance industry, he would
likely recuse himself from any legislation that might have a
conflict of interest. That said, he did offer to help with any
legislative background or guidance that I needed and to
stay in touch.
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Thank you for your business & Happy New Year.
8 THE BIG I VIRGINIA WINTER 2022-23