Barney & Barney's Rohde Retires -- Commences With New Venture.

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 16, 1999--

Richard Rohde, CIC and a principal shareholder of San Diego-based Barney & Barney, LLC Insurance Brokers, announced his retirement after 25 years with the firm to embark on new opportunities and challenges.

For Rohde it is closing one chapter and the start of the next. "I'm fascinated with the opportunities of the future," Rohde said. "I see this as 'a commencement.'"

Rohde's insight into the word commencement is that it is not intended to be the end of something; specifically, "a commencement is the beginning or start -- a stepping stone to the next level."

"If someone asks me how do I succeed in this business from a management or philosophical point of view I answer, surround yourself with bright people, don't confuse efforts with results and continually agree to be a student," Rohde said. He believes in putting client service at the pinnacle of dedication and looks to the value of e-commerce in guiding free enterprise in the new century.

Rohde wants to thank his clients, his fellow Barney & Barney principals and the staff that has worked with him through the years. He also sends his thanks to underwriters and all other industry professionals he has worked with since he began his insurance industry career in 1966.

Of his valued clients through the years, Rohde said they have been the greatest. Within his client base have been the most interesting and successful business men and women in the region. "Most have invited me into their inner circle to be their adviser and not just their insurance agent," Rohde said. "I treat their business as if it were my own. I will miss the feeling of being needed by them."

Barney & Barney is a full-service, independent insurance broker that provides multi-line insurance products and services. It was formed in 1909 and has served the California market successfully ever since. It currently is hosted by 11 partners and about 130 employees. It boasts a client list of more than 15,000 and writes $300 million in total annual premium volume. About 50 percent of its premium is property/casualty-based.

Rohde joined Barney & Barney in 1975 and became a principal in February 1980. He was a member of its executive committee and principal in charge of its commercial property and casualty and surety departments.

Rohde spoke of the dedication and professionalism of his employees and peers at Barney & Barney as another quality he'll miss. "They have become students of insurance and willing to do that is required to plan ahead for our business and our client's needs," Rohde said.

Of his employees, Rohde is quick to commend his team. He said the quality of the Barney & Barney employee has gone from good to excellent. "Even with increased environmental challenges to get the job done, they've responded with dedication overcoming many personal and professional challenges."

What awaits are new challenges and a new "E" era in Rohde's career.

"I believe in improving the future opportunities for agents and brokers," Rohde said. "The next era will involve the development of a start-up corporation assisting independent agents in doing full-service business over the World Wide Web. It will help the next era or generation of agents to be 'virtually powerful -- the future is here.'" Details are forthcoming.

Rohde's professional involvement in property/casualty insurance in California runs deep. Prior to his career at Barney & Barney, he began his insurance experience as partner/owner at Tuthill Agency in Minneapolis, as district manager for Federated Mutual Insurance Co., and with Auto Club (AAA) of Southern California and Minnesota.

In 1995, he was unanimously elected by the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) as a member of its board of governors during its annual meeting in Denver and currently serves as vice chairman.

He is an active member of the San Diego Independent Agent's Association and the Professional Insurance Agents Association. He served as vice chairman on

the executive committee for the National Society of Certified Insurance Counselors. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of IBA West.

In 1995, he served on the executive panel at the Insurance Leadership Forum during the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers Conference at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.V. It was the first-ever forum that had members chosen based on standing and prominence as "one of the industry's leading decision-makers."

He also served on the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB) as a board member for the strategic planning, executive liaison and the finance and audit committee.

Rohde always has his feet planted solidly, but looks to the future constantly to grasp new opportunities and what might be waiting for the Worldwide business community.

"However challenging all of this might be, don't forget to balance our lives with some fun in the workplace and recreation in our personal lives," Rohde said. "The world is everyone's oyster -- go pearl hunting regularly!"

"My little eight-year-old daughter made me get off the computer last night so she can go on and 'play' -- not games. She enjoys doing research," Rohde said. "Children today, you think they won't all be buying everything online? Absolutely!"

Rohde is married to Audrey, a realtor with Prudential's Rancho Santa Fe Properties. They have four children; Derek, a doctoral candidate; Dustin, a student at Western Michigan School of Business and Computer Science; Dennis, a senior at Torrey Pines High School; and Madeline, a third-grader at Solana Santa Fe Elementary.