Mason, Ohio is but a two hour drive from Indianapolis. So, no early flight, airport security or peanuts and pretzels for me, just five o’clock traffic on the north loop around Cincinnati.
Eddie Miller, President of the Ohio Bail Agents Association, gathered his members at the Kings Island Conference Center for their annual conference. The Dog and Beth Show was invited which accounted for a slightly greater attendance than usual, even beyond the film crew and producers.
The meeting’s engaging speaker was Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Frank E. Green who spoke on the issue of bail agents soliciting in the courtroom and professional dress, a cause I champion. Judge Green emphasized his support of bail agents and noted bail agents must dress for success.
I returned to Indy for two nights before catching a Sunday morning direct flight to LAX where I met up with American Surety Company Vice President Tom Anderson in Long Beach then we boarded the permanently moored Queen Mary for the CBAA Annual Conference.
The Queen Mary is an awesome venue; a massive cruise liner with expansive wood planked decks and glorious history. One could imagine Clarke Gable leaning against the iron rail with a lifeboat hovering above smoking a Lucky Strike.
Dr. Robert G. Morris, Ph.D., with the University of Texas at Dallas, addressed California bail agents about his study Pretrial Release Mechanisms in Dallas County, Texas. The results of his study only reinforced what we in the bail profession already knew, bail bonds is the most effective release option for ensuring criminal defendants appear for court.
There was also an election of new officers at this meeting. Among the new officers elected were Maggie Kreins to the position of president. Congratulations to Maggie who has held this position before. She did a great job then and I’m sure she will be effective.
I was unable to stick around for the final day because I had to catch a flight to Savannah, Georgia to attend the 25th Anniversary meeting of the GAPB.
My good friend Scott Echols is the president of the Georgia bondsman association. GAPB is well known for their accomplishments, providing education for their members and pushing legislation that improves state regulations permitting Georgia bondsmen to effectively and efficiently carry out their responsibilities.
Next week I travel to San Antonio to attend the annual meeting of the Texas bondsmen followed by a trip to Columbia, South Carolina for their final meeting of the year. November holds for me trips to Spokane and Memphis for their fall meetings. I’m looking forward to these events and I’ll be sure to keep you posted on what transpires.