This year’s Young Brokers Council (YBC) President is Sean McNamara, a Commercial Insurance Broker at Mitchell & Whale and previously Petley-Hare. Working in two notably innovative brokerages, Sean says the secret to staying innovative is to, “Always keep moving forward.” Here’s our Top 10 questions with Sean.

How long have you been in the industry?

18 years. And I’ve been a broker since 2004.

Was your first job in insurance?

My first full-time job was in insurance, but my very first job was newspaper delivery.

You had volunteered to be Bippy at Convention — did you like being Bippy?

Umm — I will do anything for the association. Being Bippy at Convention was better than doing it at the mall in Oshawa.

Have you done any other kind of performance before?

I used to be in a marching band, as a percussionist. I played the double bass drum.

Which is harder to wear: the Bippy costume or the double bass drum?

The Bippy costume! It is hot as hell in that suit.

Are you aware of the writer/director named Sean McNamara? He made Soul Surfer, the movie about the girl who got her arm bit off by a shark.

Yes and he kills me on Google, which makes me mad. I’ve seen Soul Surfer.

Did you specifically watch it because he shares a name with you?

Yup. That’s the only reason. I also watched Nip/Tuck, because one of the main characters is named Sean McNamara.

Did you enjoy Soul Surfer?

I preferred Nip/Tuck.

How would your co-workers describe you?

Fun and relaxed.

What would you say is your favourite part of the job?

Afternoon cheers on Friday and dealing with various clients.

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