Get to Know Dave Burt
Modified: January 18, 2023
Article
Author: FAIA Newsroom
Every FAIA agency member is assigned a Member Advocate (MA) to be their direct point of contact at the association. No matter what your question,our MAs can help. Dave Burt, an Ohio native and father of three, is our Vice President and Managing Director of FAIA Member Services. We sat down with Dave and talked to him about the best parts of his job, what got him into the insurance industry, and why Convention is his favorite FAIA event.
Dave Burt
Vice President & Managing Director of FAIA Member Services
Years with the association: 13 years
Hometown: Marion, Ohio
What got you into this industry?
While working in “Corporate America” with Office Depot, I would attend Convention, Sales and Leadership, and other FAIA events as an FAIA Preferred Partner. Jeff Grady and I became good friends, and one day Jeff called me and mentioned that he was looking for someone to run the for-profit side of FAIA. After explaining the position to me, he asked me if I knew anybody who’d be good for the job. I told him, “You might be talking to him.” After a lengthy conversation with my wife, the decision was made, we moved to Tallahassee, and I joined the FAIA team!
What is your favorite part of your job?
People. I love the people I work for and with. I appreciate the interaction that we have with our agents. I can honestly say that I haven’t met an agent I don’t like. Even my toughest conversations seem to turn into positive responses from our member agents. I also appreciate so much the work environment we have here at FAIA. I wake up every morning looking forward to coming to work–that's a fact!
What’s your favorite FAIA Event?
Convention is my favorite event. When I started at Office Depot, I had to attend a number of trade shows and what I found was attendees would come to your booth and just take the giveaways without really asking about what your company could do to help them. Conversely, what I saw at the FAIA Convention was that agents didn’t care nearly as much about the giveaways but more so what you had that could help them grow their business.
What do you do for fun?
I play golf with the people I work with at FAIA and people I’ve met through FAIA. I enjoy playing pickleball and working out. Most importantly, I love hanging out with my wife. She’s my best friend.
Who do you admire and why?
My friend, Jeff Grady, is a guy I really admire. He has done more for me personally and professionally than he’ll ever know. He brought me into the business and trusted me despite my lack of knowledge of the insurance industry. Watching how he evolved in the years we worked together was amazing. He took FAIA to the top and now Kyle Ulrich, another friend, who I have great admiration for, continues to lead our team to even greater heights.
What is your favorite thing?
One of my favorite things is Ohio State “anything.” I am a monster Ohio State fan. I don’t care what sport it is; I am just a rabid fan. I grew up in Ohio and I love watching them compete.
What is one thing people are surprised to learn about you?
People would probably be surprised to learn that I played tennis in high school and was 27–1 in my senior year. I continued my tennis career in college but gave it up for golf, which has provided me with so many great opportunities and adventures both personally and professionally.
Are cats or dogs better and why?
I am an animal person, so I like them both and have one of each. But I’m probably more of a dog guy.
What is the last book you read?
I’m currently reading Out of the Pocket by Kirk Herbstreit. He was a quarterback at Ohio State and is now a well-known announcer on ESPN/ABC.