David A. Thompson, CPCU, AAI, API, CRIS Related Seminars and Products

Education Consultant

David is an insurance nerd, presenting continuing education seminars on a variety of subjects and writing technical articles and blogs on topics of interest to agents. David graduated from Mercer University and served seven years as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard. He started his insurance career in a family-owned independent agency in Vero Beach, where he sold all types of insurance. He retired from FAIA in 2020 and continues to consult with the association.

Dave Newell Related Seminars and Products

Director of Education & Workforce Development

Florida Association of Insurance Agents

Dave Newell graduated from the University of North Florida in 1984 and began his insurance career in 1987 as a claim representative with a large property and casualty insurance carrier. In 1990, Dave moved to Tallahassee to continue his career as a field claim representative. In 1997, Dave obtained his property and casualty license and became a producer with a large local independent insurance agency and FAIA member.
As of July 2008, Dave joined FAIA as the association's Citizens' Liaison and an instructor for the Education Department. In September 2011, Dave added the director of Education role to his duties.
During Dave's career, he has gained considerable knowledge and expertise in both the carrier and agency side of the insurance business. Dave was active in the claims association and, after becoming an agent, served as a board member, past president, and catastrophe chair for the Independent Insurance Agents of Tallahassee. In 2001, he held the position of insurance chair for the United Way Campaign.
Dave is married and has three children. Spare time is spent with his family, friends, and attending his children’s many events

Jeff Odom Related Seminars and Products

Education Instructor & Insurance Analyst

Florida Association of Insurance Agents

Jeff graduated from FSU in 1988 and began his insurance career as both a general lines and life and health insurance agent with an independent insurance agency. He moved to the education side of insurance by taking a position with the Department of Financial Services (formerly Department of Insurance), working in the continuing education section. Jeff spent his last four years there the administrator of Continuing Education. At FAIA, Jeff's duties include writing, updating, and revising FAIA's Florida Insurance Research Library, and teaching.

Greg Thomas, MS-RMI, CPCU, CLU, FLMI, CPM, ASLI, AIC, ACS Related Seminars and Products

Florida Association of Insurance Agents

Greg Thomas serves as Director of Professional Development with the Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA). Prior to joining FAIA, he had a distinguished career as a state insurance regulator. During his time as regulator, he served as Director of Insurance Agent & Agency Services and Director of Consumer Services, within the Department of Financial Services (DFS). His responsibilities in those roles included the licensing and oversight of all insurance agents, agencies, and adjusters in the state of Florida. He also led the Department’s alternative dispute programs, licensing and consumer call centers and the consumer complaints section.

Greg earned his master’s degree in risk management & insurance from Florida State University and has earned multiple professional designations in insurance, including Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI).

Greg has 39 years of experience in the insurance industry, including 6 years as an agent and 33 years as a regulator.  He is licensed as a General Lines Property & Casualty Insurance Agent and a Life & Health Insurance Agent.