In Memory of Danny Mitchell
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My name is Bob Bradshaw and I’m one of those who worked with Danny at the Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia. We are sad to share that Danny passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 25, 2018. I knew Danny for close to 25 years, first as a fellow member of the Virginia Society of Association Executives. One thing that stuck out to me about Danny and VSAE ... he would show up early to all meetings and seminars and welcome everyone who came. It wasn’t exactly his job and I recall several times asking him to come into the meeting and he would respond, “I’ll be in shortly, I haven’t finished saying 'hello' to everyone.” This was something he continued to do even up to the very recent VSAE Holiday Luncheon. I have to tell you, when you looked closely, Danny concentrated on welcoming the new members and guests who didn’t know anyone at the meetings. He made sure that these new people had a friend quickly, and I am not surprised at the number of VSAE members who mentioned that Danny was the first person they met and made them feel welcome.
We got to know each other at VSAE and it’s where I learned of his background in insurance. When I was asked to move to Washington, D.C., to work for the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, I recommended Danny to replace me at the state chapter of NAIFA and I believe he served that organization with distinction. And I’m sure he would agree with me, it resulted in his working with some interesting characters — not the least of which was a state president who made sure she had plenty of baggies in her purse so she could take extra advantage of legislative receptions with good food. I’m going to leave it to your imagination on what comments Danny had on that situation.
After returning to Richmond and running IIAV for a couple of years, we found ourselves in need of a membership director. I could not believe how lucky we were when we hired Danny, as he knew the insurance industry inside out and also completely understood the nuances of non-profit trade associations. In short, it was his job to meet with prospective members and convince them to join the association, as well as meet with current members and convince them that they made the right decision to join. Can you possibly think of a better person for this job?
Little did I know that this was an easy goal for him because he knew virtually everyone in the insurance industry already ... and their family ... and where they went to school ... and frequently where their kids were going to school now and especially if Hampden Sydney were anywhere in the picture.
Danny quickly became the face of IIAV. In short, he cared. Everyone was his friend. From one of our young agents: Danny was a tremendous person! I can’t think of a conversation with him where I didn’t learn something and laugh. I’m a better man for knowing Danny.
From another: Danny was a great guy. As on outsider looking in, he always had a way of making me feel like I was a part of the group. Always with a pleasant smile and a fun anecdote.
Linda Loving, IIAV’s chief operating officer, reminded me of the year when, shock of shock, Danny got the flu right before our convention and it was clear that he could not attend. He was absolutely convinced that he could make it and I had to threaten him with bodily harm if he did not stay home and recover. That said, we knew people would be disappointed that he was not there, so someone came up with the idea of printing out a large picture of his face and posting it over the face of a large cardboard cut-out that we had of Mitt Romney. Then we placed the Danny stand at important events and asked people to take photos of them with Danny and post them to Facebook. Danny attended the board dinner, stood at attention at our registration desk and apparently had fun at our trade show. He also welcomed attendees to our final banquet and was even caught dancing. Danny seemed highly amused at some of the photos — both PG- and R-rated. And he did not miss our next convention.
Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to vice president – business development, a title he suggested that also reflected his expanded role. You see, Danny listened to people and if we needed a special program, class or benefit, he either found a way to get it or took on the program himself. At one point, Danny and I discussed the need for our young agent professionals to know and learn from our past leadership. I charged him to start with all of our past presidents and leaders, visit with and interview them, and write articles on their leadership success for our newsletter. I tell you, the articles that Danny wrote on these biographies were special. They were enlightening and friendly. It was clear that Danny cared where these professionals came from and what they had to share with us today.
Danny and I teach the same ethics class for IIAV and I have frequently told Carter Lyons, our director of professional development, that I just don’t like teaching the class. I feel like I’m lecturing and who likes to be lectured about ethics? Carter would tell me that those who take the class from Danny give him rave reviews. At one point, she said they were doing the wave. This past Fall I finally got the opportunity to watch Danny teach this class. It was simply amazing. The distinction was that I lectured in this class and Danny … well, he had a conversation with everyone. It was a discussion and certainly not a lecture.
Everyone who met him had a special relationship. I encourage everyone to go to our website and/or our Facebook page and look at the comments on Danny –— both from seasoned professionals and young professionals. I’ve had agents from Kansas, Ohio and New York contact me devastated by the news.
But let me tell you, he could also be a pain. Short of sneaking up behind our Director of First Impressions Teri Chester and taking great joy in scaring her, is there anyone here that has NOT had a pun challenge with him? Is there anyone here who WON the challenge? We have monthly meetings of staff that are supposed to be quick and short and certainly no more than one hour. It is, however, clear when they go a bit too long as the pun challenge comes out. Between Danny and Joe Hudgins going back and forth with the puns, it’s difficult to get much accomplished and I will forever remember Danny’s quick wink of a face when he would look at me and ask, “Just when did you lose control over this meeting?”
Let me close here by promoting Danny to a new title. At this point moving forward, let it be known that Danny should henceforth be recognized as IIAV’s Vice President of Friendship and he will be sorely missed.
Robert N. Bradshaw, Jr., MAM
IIAV President & CEO
