Dave Ellis, Owner
Dorsey, Hazeltine & Wynne
Palo Alto, CA
Number of years in NetVU community: 20
Q: Who introduced you to NetVU?
A: I was president of the CISGEM Users Group when CISGEM was acquired by AMS in 1995 or so. I became president of NetVU (formerly The AMS Users' Group) in 1998.
Q: What has been the greatest value you have found in being a part of NetVU?
A: My agency has benefitted from the interaction with other agencies in the areas of using the system more completely and efficiently. On a personal level, I have benefitted from meeting and knowing so many wonderful NetVU members and staff, and Vertafore employees.
Q: Can you share a story that illustrates your most memorable moment as a part of the community?
A: My most memorable “moment” was the year I spent as president of NetVU (then AMSUG), from 1998 to 1999. Although it absorbed a lot of time, it was extremely rewarding to feel that I was helping my fellow NetVU system owners. And on the personal side, I made many lifelong friends from among the users, NetVU staff members, and Vertafore employees.
I remember being Conference Education Chair one year long, long ago. Aided greatly by the planning and preparation of the NetVU staff, I made a number of phone calls to prospective agency presenters at the Conference. Some said, “I’ll let you know.” Some said, “I’ll have to study up on that topic a little before I can present.” Some said, “I’ll have to check with my boss.” Some said, “This will be my first time and I would be really nervous and I’m not sure I can do it.” And so on.
But in the end, not one person turned me down. Everyone seemed pleased to be asked, everyone was motivated to help their fellow users, and everyone came through and did a fine job. It was both surprising and inspiring.
Q: What have you learned from the NetVU community?
I have learned that even though the sales staff from agencies are constantly trying to steal accounts from one another and are beating their brains out trying to be better than the agent down the street, the rest of the members of the agency are ready and willing to help out those same competitors become more efficient and make better use of their Vertafore products through the help of NetVU. The “users helping users” part of the equation never gets old.