This article has been reprinted from the May 2006 issue of the BIA Builder publication.

Background information:

Marc Kaplan grew up in Orange County and graduated from high school in 1976. While attending California State University-Fullerton, Kaplan chose to enter the lucrative Orange County real estate market, obtained his real estate license and began selling houses.

In 1981, Kaplan moved to San Diego and entered the insurance industry. He worked for an agency until 1986, when he decided to open his own. In 1988, Kaplan began insuring the building industry, and has been actively involved with the building industry ever since. In 1992, he formed Aspen Insurance Brokers and is currently president of the company.

Kaplan is a member of the Building Industry Association of San Diego County (BIA), currently serves on the Home Builder Council (HBC) board of the BIA. In addition, he is a member of San Diego BIA's Risk Management Committee, membership committee, Specialty Contractors Council (SCC) board, and was 2005 SCC president. Kaplan also serves on the CBIA Trade Contractor Council, and Insurance Committee.

Kaplan shares his life with his wife, Dena, whom he met in the insurance industry. An incredible partner at home, Dena provides an extra asset with her knowledge of the insurance industry working for an insurance publication. They have two children, Cole, age 11; and Brook, age 8.

Name something you've always wanted to do, but never have.

Helicopter skiing. It's still on my list of things to do.

Name a guilty indulgence.

It would have to be sports. I'm a sports fanatic and try to watch and attend as many sporting events as possible. This, of course, has never been overly popular at home as I've been the only person in my home with any sports interest. We've recently had a major breakthrough in that area though. My son, Cole, has decided he's a huge Padre fan. I now have company during the baseball season. I'm still working on the other sports.

Which person in the industry would you most like to meet?

This is more a group of people. There are certain builders that are aware of the gravity of the construction defect issues in California, and have joined in the fight. I'd love to gather those builders in a room, thank them, and speak about how we get all the builders invested in the battle.

If you could go back to one important conversation and say things differently, what would you say?

You caught me. I'm the king of walking away from every important conversation, rewording my part of it the way I should have said it, and, wishing I had another shot at it.

Name a personal challenge that you've overcome.

Overcoming this may be an overstatement but parenthood is the greatest and most fulfilling challenge I've ever undertaken. Let's just say I'm still working on overcoming this challenge.

Name the time in your life when you were most satisfied. What makes you the most satisfied?

I can't think of a time when I've been more satisfied than I am right now. I've got a family I love to death. I've got the best staff I've ever had. Many of my clients are among my favorite people. This is a pretty satisfying time.

What ritual could you never give up?

Snow skiing and racquetball are right there together. I say that and cross my fingers at the same time in the hope that my body will work with me in the endeavor to never give these things up.

What would you want in your epitaph?

He was a loved and trusted friend, business associate, husband, parent, and a damn good time.

Name something in your garage that you can't bear to throw away.

It would have to be my skis and ski equipment. You can throw the tools away.

What is your personal motto?

I have the choice everyday to be happy or not. I choose to be happy.