PARMA recently spoke to Conor Boughey, Senior Vice President with Alliant.

How did you get into risk management?
Shortly after college, I decided to change career paths and started talking with family and friends about different opportunities. The recommendation that stuck was insurance brokerage, which led me to connect with the San Francisco office of Alliant. There, I was introduced to California municipal insurance brokerage and risk management. I quickly found myself working with public entities and JPAs, and I knew I had found a career that was both challenging and rewarding.

What are the rewards you experience professionally by being a PARMA member?
PARMA introduced me to an incredible network of risk management professionals and industry partners. One of the things that stands out most is how willing public entities are to share knowledge and help one another. Because PARMA brings together risk managers, brokers, carriers, JPAs, attorneys, and all sorts of service providers, it’s an invaluable forum for learning, collaboration, and building lasting professional relationships.

How has your professional knowledge expanded by interacting with other PARMA members?
I started attending PARMA shortly after college, and it played a significant role in helping me understand the public entity risk management landscape. Seeing the different perspectives of risk managers, carriers, brokers, attorneys, and claims professionals helped me understand how all the pieces fit together. Today, PARMA continues to be an excellent place to stay current on emerging trends, exchange ideas with clients and peers, and connect with others across the public entity community.

How has your firm benefited from its involvement with PARMA?
Alliant has benefited tremendously from our long-standing involvement with PARMA. The conference provides opportunities to meet with clients, collaborate with industry partners, and contribute through educational sessions. It allows us to share our experience while continuing to learn from the outstanding professionals who make up the PARMA community.

How would you respond to a risk manager or vendor who says they don’t have time to participate in PARMA?
As a JPA administrator and broker, I regularly encourage new clients to attend PARMA as part of their introduction to municipal risk management. It’s one of the best investments they can make in their professional development. There are many excellent conferences, but for anyone working with California public entities, PARMA offers an unmatched combination of education, networking, and practical knowledge. The relationships you build and the ideas you take back to your organization more than justify the time away from the office.

As a millennial, how can the risk management industry attract more millennials?
I think one of the biggest opportunities is simply increasing awareness of the profession. Most people don’t grow up thinking they’ll have a career in risk management—I didn’t. It’s a rewarding field with meaningful work and constant learning.

The industry needs to continue investing in mentorship and creating opportunities for younger professionals. Organizations like PARMA do a great job of connecting experienced leaders with the next generation through networking, education, and committee involvement. If we can show a clear path for professional growth, I think we’ll continue to attract outstanding talent.