News & Blogs

If you’ve ever interacted with NetVU, chances are you’ve felt the warmth, dedication, and heart that Melissa Bond brings to everything she does. After 27 years with NetVU, Melissa continues to show up each day with the same enthusiasm, passion, and member-first mindset as if it were her very first year—and that’s just one of the many reasons she’s so special to our organization. A Little About Melissa Melissa calls Pflugerville, Texas home and says what she enjoys most about working at NetVU is simple but powerful: the staff team and our volunteers. She truly believes our differences make us stronger, and she loves how the NetVU team challenges ...
0 comments
At NetVU, our people are at the heart of everything we do—and few embody that more fully than Mackenzie Winn. For nearly three years, Mackenzie has brought heart, organization, and genuine care to her work, especially when it comes to engaging and supporting our incredible volunteers. Originally from Kearney, Missouri, Mackenzie says what she enjoys most about working at NetVU is “working with passionate people that want the best for you.” That passion goes both ways—her teammates consistently describe her as thoughtful, reliable, and someone who always goes the extra mile. Making an Impact at NetVU One of Mackenzie’s proudest moments this ...
0 comments
At NetVU, our people are what make the mission meaningful—and few embody that spirit more fully than Jessica Jeffress. With a passion for education, a sharp strategic mindset, and a genuine care for our members, Jessica has quickly become a driving force behind NetVU’s evolving learning initiatives. Getting to Know Jessica Jessica calls Farmington, Kentucky home and has been with NetVU for just over one year—though it feels like she’s been part of the team far longer. Before joining staff, Jessica was already deeply connected to NetVU as a volunteer, which made stepping into her role especially rewarding. > “I loved being a volunteer ...
0 comments
At NetVU, we’re fortunate to work alongside people who bring both heart and creativity to everything they do—and David Waite is a perfect example of that. With five years under his belt, David has become a steady, thoughtful presence whose creativity, empathy, and sense of humor make a lasting impact across the organization. Getting to Know David Originally from Clearfield, Utah, David has always valued connection—and that shows in how he approaches his work. When asked what he enjoys most about working at NetVU, his answer was simple and genuine: “The relationships. Learning from the other employees and seeing how much they care about ...
0 comments
If you’ve ever attended a NetVU event that felt seamless, energizing, and maybe even a little funnier than expected, chances are Ellen Mitchell had something to do with it. Going on three years with NetVU, Ellen has become a cornerstone of our operations team—known for her leadership, humor, and unmatched ability to keep everyone moving in the same direction (and on deadline). A Little About Ellen Born in San Francisco and raised in Roanoke, Virginia, Ellen brings a blend of West Coast calm and East Coast grit to everything she does. What does she love most about working at NetVU? Simply put: the people. She credits the team’s diverse personalities ...
0 comments
If you’ve ever spoken with a NetVU partner and felt instantly understood, supported, and maybe even entertained with a great story—you’ve likely crossed paths with Lynn Albertson. Since joining NetVU in December 2016, Lynn has become known for her incredible dedication to partners, sharp expertise, and unmistakable personality that keeps everyone smiling. From Detroit Roots to Florida Sunshine Originally from Detroit, Lynn now resides in Naples, Florida (though she’ll always consider herself a Detroit girl at heart), she brings a mix of grit, warmth, and humor to everything she does. What she enjoys most about working at NetVU is simple but ...
0 comments
If you’ve ever had a question at NetVU and thought, “I bet Brittany would know,” you’re probably right. Born and raised in the Dallas area (technically Garland, but she’ll let that slide), Brittany Aman is approaching an incredible milestone—10 years with NetVU this April. Nearly her entire professional adulthood has been spent growing alongside the organization, supporting members, building community, and bringing creativity and heart into everything she does. A Steady Presence with a Creative Soul When asked what she enjoys most about working at NetVU, Brittany doesn’t hesitate: the flexibility, support, and teamwork. She thrives in ...
0 comments
If you’ve spent any time at NetVU, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Jon Gorman—and if you have, you probably walked away with a solution to your problem, a thoughtful perspective, and maybe even a story you’re still not entirely sure was 100% true. Jon has been part of the NetVU team for six years and calls McKinney, Texas home. During that time, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization we are today. When asked what he enjoys most about working at NetVU, Jon’s answer says it all: solving problems for our team and our members. That mindset—focused on service, growth, and people—shows up in everything he does. A Leader Who ...
0 comments
At NetVU, our people are what make our community feel like home—and few embody that spirit quite like Karen Moore. With eight years of dedicated service, Karen has become a familiar, welcoming presence for members and staff alike, known for her kindness, dependability, and unwavering commitment to helping others. Originally from Dover, Delaware – and now living in Burleson, Texas, Karen brings warmth and authenticity into everything she does. When asked what she enjoys most about working at NetVU, her answer was simple and heartfelt: working with members. That passion is evident every day. As the first point of contact for many members, Karen consistently ...
0 comments
Marketing Pro, Burrito Enthusiast If you’ve interacted with NetVU’s marketing content lately, chances are you’ve already felt the impact of Cole Scott. Since joining NetVU in late 2025, Cole has quickly made his mark with fresh ideas, strong work ethic, and an energy that’s contagious across the team. Getting to Know Cole A Portland, Oregon native, Cole brings both creativity and drive to his role on the Marketing Team. What he enjoys most about working at NetVU is the people. The team is incredibly supportive and collaborative. Everyone genuinely cares about serving members and pushing NetVU forward. It’s rare to find a workplace ...
0 comments
Steady, Supportive, and the Queen of Communication If you’ve ever attended a NetVU event and thought, “Wow, this feels seamless,” there’s a good chance Kristine Serbus had something to do with it. Originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin, Kristine has been with NetVU for nearly three years, bringing consistency, organization, and a calm presence to everything she touches. When asked what she enjoys most about working at NetVU, her answer says it all: seeing members truly enjoy our events. That joy—felt by attendees and teammates alike—is something Kristine helps make possible behind the scenes. A Calm Force Behind the Details Kristine ...
0 comments
How a Member Reduced Busy Work Associated with Servicing Fallgatter Rhodes Case Study Author: Jacob Simon, Founder │ Adapt API │ NetVU Silver Partner Introduction Fallgatter Rhodes Insurance Services, a 30-employee agency out of CA, was looking for ways to improve efficiency, especially related to monotonous admin work. Managing carrier notifications, tracking cancellations, and ensuring seamless servicing operations were time-consuming and prone to errors (at the top of the list of things to automate). After discovering Adapt at a NetVU conference, the agency implemented the software to streamline its processes and ultimately reduce the busy ...
0 comments
Spunky Energy, Big Heart, and a Passion for Our Members If you’ve ever joined a NetVU call and felt an instant boost of positive energy, chances are Alyssia Dugas was involved. With her spunky personality, calming presence, and genuine care for others, Alyssia has become a cornerstone of the NetVU team—and a favorite among members and staff alike. Getting to Know Alyssia Alyssia hails from Lafayette, Louisiana, where her roots run deep—especially when it comes to family and food. She’s been with NetVU for four years, and when asked what she enjoys most about working here, her answer is simple and heartfelt: I enjoy the people the ...
0 comments
NetVU is proud to spotlight Jenny Petersen, Data Quality Manager at Brightway Insurance, as the recipient of the Leadership Award in Memory of Louie E. Woodbury Jr. This prestigious award honors long-time leadership, proven achievement, and meaningful contributions to NetVU and the insurance industry. True to the spirit of the award, Jenny exemplifies leadership within her community, the industry, and across NetVU—steadfastly supporting our mission to build the future through world-class education, the exchange of ideas, advocacy, and technology innovation. What This Honor Means to Jenny For Jenny, leadership is deeply rooted in ...
0 comments
If you’ve ever interacted with NetVU behind the scenes—through registrations, member records, or operational details—there’s a strong chance Dianne Merfeld had a hand in making everything run smoothly. With more than 10 years and 5 months at NetVU, Dianne is a steady, thoughtful presence whose impact is felt every day, even when it’s quietly happening in the background. From Wingate to NetVU Originally from Wingate, Texas, and living in San Angelo, TX for the last 10 years, Dianne brings a calm, grounded spirit to her work that colleagues consistently notice and appreciate. When asked what she enjoys most about working at NetVU, her answer is simple and ...
0 comments
What Members Heard at the Town Hall 1. NetVU Today NetVU Executive Director Jon Gorman welcomed attendees and framed NetVU as a community, not just a network—powered by 300+ volunteers and 13 staff. Highlights included Accelerate 2026 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, new Deep Dives, role-based roundtables, and the growing NetVU+ platform. 2. Training + Development NetVU University continues expanding to include non-product education under the banner NetVU+. Offerings include AI, strategy, accounting, leadership—and future offerings like public speaking. Jon encouraged participation in the annual satisfaction survey ...
0 comments
As Vertafore’s Executive Sponsor to the NetVU Board of Directors, Rick Warter plays a unique and invaluable role—one built on partnership, transparency, and a deep commitment to helping Vertafore users thrive. With nearly 30 years of leadership experience across consulting, telecommunications, high tech, and healthcare, Rick brings both a strategic mindset and an approachable, grounded style that fits seamlessly with NetVU’s mission. From First-Generation College Student to Executive Leader Rick’s path to executive leadership wasn’t predetermined. As the first in his family to pursue a college degree, he credits a high school mentor—his girlfriend’s ...
0 comments
Building the Future: Why Multigenerational Hiring Is a Competitive Advantage Workforces today are more age-diverse than ever. For the first time, five generations share the workplace. By 2028, one in four U.S. workers will be 55 or older—more than double the rate in 1998. This isn’t a challenge to manage— it’s an opportunity. Forward-looking companies recognize that mixed-age teams are a strategic advantage. In fact, 83% of employers say age-diverse teams are essential for growth. Yet unconscious bias persists - older candidates are 40% less likely to receive offers after in-person interviews ...
0 comments
How Virtual Assistants Can Transform Your Insurance Agency’s Productivity As an insurance agency owner or operator, finding ways to streamline operations and boost productivity is essential. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by leveraging Virtual Assistants (VAs). Whether handling administrative tasks, client communication, or policy support, VAs can help your team work smarter, not harder. Streamlining Administrative Work Administrative work like scheduling, data entry, and client follow-ups can drain valuable time from your account managers and producers. A Virtual Assistant ...
0 comments
What are the biggest opportunities of AI for insurance agents? Author: Dale Steinke, Liberty Mutual Agent for the Future Team │NetVU Gold Partner AI-backed technologies are changing the way we work and do business. Agents who strategically embrace AI will have a strong foundation for the future, while those who ignore or avoid AI risk falling further behind competitors. Liberty Mutual has gathered resources, practical advice and examples to help insurance agents harness the power of AI. Agent for the Future™ is an informational resource powered by Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance dedicated to helping independent insurance agents thrive. ...
0 comments