Sometime after John Bykowski decided he would step down from the CEO role at SECURA Insurance, with a retirement date set for mid-2014, David Gross, the senior vice president of underwriting operations, started formally preparing to follow in Bykowski’s footsteps.

Gross became president and chief operating officer on Sept. 1, 2013, and CEO less than a year later on July 1, 2014. But it wasn’t simply a 10-month transition.

Gross gave us some background when we asked three questions about his path to the C-suite.

How did you prepare for your position?

My father had this incredible work ethic and optimism. Those traits influenced me throughout my 30-plus years in the insurance industry and carry me even today.

I also had the opportunity to learn all aspects of the business—working for a few different carriers and an insurance agency—and from many great leaders, including SECURA’s former CEO John Bykowski.

I worked as an underwriter, an independent agent, a marketing rep, and I held several executive leadership roles. I always started by connecting with people, which is so important in our “relationship” industry.