Chapter History

Chapter History


Prior to 1990, the available RIMS chapters were RIMS Florida Central and RIMS South Florida. In 1990, Dennis Slabaugh approached RIMS National requesting a local Southwest Florida RIMS. With the help of Tom Benson, owner and President of Benson Insurance Agency in Naples, Florida, they organized an informational meeting in the Southwest Florida community to discuss forming a local chapter. The guests for the meeting included Community Health Care and the Mariner Group which were both members of the Southwest Florida RIMS, and Harper Brothers Inc. of Fort Myers, a member of the Central Florida RIMS. These three companies along with representatives from Basic American Medical Inc., Collier County Government, Collier Enterprises, Health Management Association Inc. Lee County Electric Cooperative Inc., Lee Memorial Hospital, NT Gargiulo Inc., R&R Robinson Inc., Royal Poinciana Golf Club Inc. were the charter members of the Southwest Florida RIMS Chapter. The Southwest Florida RIMS Chapter is currently home to 26 local businesses. For 26 years the chapter has enjoyed the opportunity to provide local Risk professionals with exceptional education, networking, and knowledge sharing.