b'C H A P T E R 0 2THE PORT PIRIE CONNECTIONB rian McInerneys boss 11burst through the office door unleashing a torrent of salty expletives. Just days earlier, Brian had informed theNew Zealand Insurance (NZI) executive that he planned to leave and start his own brokerage with his friend, John George. Hed obviously been stewing about this the wholecar trip up from Adelaide, laughs Brian.The announcement hadnt gone over well. Brian wasa top performer and had built an impressive book across the Mid North over the past decade. By early 1979, though, he was keen to explore new options.Despite the blow-back, Brian was resolute. For thenext few hours, he told his boss his plans and gradually persuaded him to see the move as a potential winfor NZI too. Brian was good at that. His persuasive skills had been put to the test athome, too. When he told his wife, Jan, about leavingOpposite Brian McInerney. his comfortable position with NZI, she scrutinised him.'