David Strout

Regional Director – Camden/Cape May/Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem

Cettei & Connell, Inc.
135 South Broad St., Suite B
Woodbury, NJ 08096

BIG I NJ BOARD OF DIRECTORS

About

Dave Strout has been a member of Big I New Jersey for well over 30 years, with a board tenure nearly equaling in time. As an active member of the independent agency system, Dave credits the industry for ‘choosing him’ and has worked at his family’s agency, Cettei and Connell, since 1989.

Take a look at why Dave thinks agents win over technology and how the relationships that agents cultivate with their clients are not just their biggest asset, but their biggest opportunity as well.

You’ll have to read his interview below to find out.

As a Big I NJ member, I always feel like I am up-to-date with what’s going on in the industry. The association keep us informed of critical legislative and political issues, as well as regulatory changes, industry trends, and more. That, and the access to markets.

More person-to-person contact. This is where we win as agents and it’s something that people still really want today. Especially after COVID with everything being relegated to Zoom or email.

I’m most interested in seeing how AI is going to affect our industry.

Get involved with the association. It’s the best way to learn and the best way to make contacts that will help you for your entire career.

Big I NJ has a lot to offer. As a board member, I see it as my place to help preserve that and continue to grow the association along with the industry trends and members’ needs.

I have to pick two – Big I Markets and the E&O Program. If you haven’t looked at either lately, these should definitely be at the top of your list.

There’s too many to name. I’ve been blessed with incredible mentors in my life.

Failure. I hate it.

Be honest. 
It’s really as simple as that.

I can be serious when I want to be. No, really!​