UP CLOSE: Betsy Good

BETSY GOOD

NEW JOB TITLE: Hunt Valley, Md.-based senior vp and director of strategy for Woodbury, N.Y.-based insurance broker Sterling & Sterling Inc.

PREVIOUS POSITION: Underwriting manager and director of new program development at Chevy Chase, Md.-based Victor O. Schinnerer & Co. Inc.

GOALS FOR NEW POSITION: I'll be wearing a few different hats, but some of the things I have been asked to do leverage the relationships that I have with insurance carriers already to bring in partnerships...so I will be starting up some new programs or changing partnerships as needed.

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: I think in property and (workers compensation), you are starting to see a little hardening in the prices; the rest of the industry seems to be quite soft. There is a lot of capacity in the industry.

FIRST EXPERIENCE IN JOB MARKET: I started in 1986 straight out of college. Within weeks of graduating, I started working with Aetna (Inc.).

ADVICE: I think there is a huge need for a focus on coverage understanding. Someone new coming into the industry (should) spend the time reading through coverages and asking questions.

OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY, A DREAM JOB: I would love to run a large home for underprivileged teenagers. I love kids, and I do really well with teenagers, which is a difficult age. I relate quite well to them. I raised three kids, my youngest is 21, and I have a little bit of empty-nest syndrome going on. Sometimes kids just need someone to believe in them and show interest in what they are doing.

HOBBIES: I like to travel. I went to Ireland and Costa Rica (recently) and am about to go to Italy.

MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT: From a personal standpoint, I am very family-oriented. I am very maternal. I believe in giving back, and I wish I could do more.

CAN'T-MISS TELEVISION SHOW: “How I Met Your Mother” is a great comic relief. I really enjoy that.

ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Either walking or shopping.

EMAIL OR PHONE, AND WHY: I prefer phone. It is much more personal. I am an underwriter, and I document everything, so I will follow up with an email.