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1 June, 2014 A Monthly Publication of the Atlanta Claims Association Kowalski Brown, President Linda Mihyar, First Vice President Pamela Glick, Second Vice President Ann Wright, Secretary Tammie Kater, Treasurer Jaclyn Chapman, Assistant Secretary Nancy Reynolds, Assistant Treasurer Please visit our website at: for further information and to register online.

2 From the President Dear Fellow ACA Members, With awareness of the responsibility conferred by your trust, I am honored to hold the Presidential position of the Atlanta Claims Association. It is truly a privilege to represent one of the largest and prestigious organizations within the claims industry. I have accepted this position with much gratitude and with serious intentions. I have two promises to make as your new President. First, I promise to always represent the organization in a professional and ethical manner at all times. Second, I promise to grow the organization and challenge members to become involved and active in the association. We have recently had a record number of new member applications which is indicative of our new application process on the website. If you have not registered or visited the website recently, please visit www. atlantaclaims.com. While growing up in Alabama, I was fortunate to have strong parental guidance. I have been blessed with strong business mentors that allowed me to gain a better understanding of the claims business. My numerous influences have unquestionably been invaluable to my individual growth. I have been involved in the industry for over 25 years beginning as a multi-line adjuster. Over the years, I have been privileged with the opportunity to hold various leadership and management roles. Thursday, June 5 th, 2014 Papasitos 2788 Windy Hill Rd SE Marietta, GA Reservations Required Limited Seating RSVP Required Online Registration and payment is now available for monthly meetings Contact: Debby Darrell ddarrell@achieveservices.net My first duty as President was to play in the recent golf and tennis tournament. Although my golf team did not win the tournament, we made sure not to embarrass ourselves. Congratulations to the winning golf and tennis teams. Additionally, congratulations to our charity partner the Salvation Army. I have attended this event for a number of years and have watched it continue to grow and improve. This year was no exception. We were lucky to have great weather and an excellent venue. I would like to personally thank all of the golf and tennis committee members and our sponsors. Speaking of our sponsors, they kept us well supplied with food and beverages. They also provided some of the best door prizes you will find at any tournament. Special thanks to Scott Busby. Scott has been the chairperson of the golf and tennis committee for a number of years. His last tournament may have been his best. During our last convention, we had two additional long time committee chairs to retire. Juanita Keltner, Convention Committee, and Doug White, Special Event Committee. I have gotten to know both of these outstanding individuals over the last few years. They have both dedicated countless hours to our association. They will be missed greatly. The 2014 convention was truly a success and I am even more eager about the outcome of the 2015 convention. The new convention committee is already hard at work. There will be an abundance of new and exciting changes that will take place next year. One of the changes will be a change of venue. The location of the convention has not been decided. There will be more information coming soon. Our next scheduled event will be the Meet, Greet and Tweet, with the new board members on June 5th, at Papasitto s in Marietta. I look forward to seeing you! Regards, Kowalski M Brown ACA President Officers President Kowalski Brown First V.P. Linda Mihyar Second V.P. Pamela Glick Secretary Ann Wright Treasurer Tammie Kater Ass t. Sec. Jaclyn Chapman Ass t. Treas. Nancy Reynolds Financial Adv. Lester V. Hankes Website Contact hostmaster@atlantaclaims.com A Claimscene Editorial Staff CH & Editor Pamela Glick Advertising Evelyn Brown Atlanta Claims Association Mission Statement: To strengthen the professional life of those involved in the claims industry by providing members with education and network opportunities while promoting a positive public image of the claims industry. ACA membership, meetings, information, address changes, etc. mail to: P.O. Box Atlanta, GA Articles, letters, photos, etc. mail to: Kowalski Brown Phone Kowalski.Brown@sedgwickcms.com All rights reserved. No part of this material herein may be reproduced without permission of the ACA. Opinions expressed in A Claimscene by staff and contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the Atlanta Claims Association, Inc. Contributors are expected to warrant implicitly the originality of material submitted and to avoid any infringement in the rights of others. Vol. LXX, No. 6, June

3 June Speaker Nick Ferrante Senior Account Executive Insight Service Group (ISG) Nick Ferrante is a Senior Account Executive for Insight Service Group (ISG) and is recognized by both clients and coworkers for his in depth understanding of how social media can shape the claims process by rounding out the concept of Who is your claimant? Nick has a Bachelor s Degree in Leadership and is a Certified Professional Coach through the International Coaching Foundation. Nick is a proud new father of four month old Olivia Ferrante and in his spare time he is a motivational speaker to young people regarding the importance of knowing who they are now and what they want to do in future. Milledgeville Outing The Milledgeville outing took place on May 15 and May 16, 2014 at the Fairfield Inn, Milledgeville GA. There was a nice turn out of ACA members, spouses, and friends to enjoy just average weather (it rained 5/15). There was a lot of good food, games, boating, shopping, resting, and much socializing. Kowalski Brown conducted his first ACA Board of Directors meeting on 5/15/14 from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, and the meeting was excellent. Thank you to our sponsors who made the event possible, and thanks to all those who contributed and participated. Doug White, Chairman How would you like to adjust this claim? Nick will be speaking with us at the upcoming social regarding the importance of social media in claims handling as well as building a strong network of associates. 3

4 ACA Survey As we said in our last issue we are interested in hearing from our members regarding the ACA - We circulated a brief survey and received some great feedback. The survey circulated before and during the convention was linked to some prizes. Please join me in congratulating our winners, Scott O Brien of Underwriters Safety & Claims for the $ Gift Card for Early Bird Entry and Kurt Hankosky of Eagle Adjusting Services, Inc who won a 42 flat screen TV. Congratulations Scott and Kurt. While no longer tied to a prize at this time, a copy of the survey is attached in the event that you would like to continue to provide information to us. Please complete and submit to the acasurvey14@gmail.com - you may also use the address to provide additional ideas/input not included in the survey and/or pose questions regarding the survey. When you speak, we listen. A special thanks to Achieve Home Nursing Services for contributing the 42 TV for our drawing. Thank you to the members of the Visionary Committee for their team effort in putting the survey together. Committee Members Include: Linda L. Mihyar, Co-Chair Pete Mobley, Co-Chair Debbie Darrell of Achieve Home Nursing Services Nick Ferrante of Insight Service Group Stephanie A. Fuller of Rimkus Consulting Group Karan Karabubis of Drew Eckl Farnham Douglas K Burrell of Drew Eckl Farnham Bill Baskett of BCG Financial Forensics We are committed to providing members of the Atlanta Claims Association with relevant information, education, fun experiences and activities. To that end, we have developed this brief survey to help us better understand the needs of our members and other insurance industry professionals. The survey should take no more than 3 minutes to complete. What do you like most about Atlanta Claims Association? CEU Events Luncheons Annual Conferences Unfamiliar w/ organization and it s activities Other: 1. What are the top three changes that would most improve Atlanta Claims Association? A. B. C. 2. What do you like most about other professional organizations that you are involved with? 3. What is the MAIN REASON that you (or your colleagues) would say that keeps you from attending Atlanta Claims Association meetings? Distance from office/home Cost of Events Lack of interesting events Time of events Other: 4. If there was no charge for meals, would you attend? Yes No 5. Would you attend a dinner meeting for CE credit? Yes No Depends on location Depends on speaker 6. Which type of event are you MOST LIKELY to participate in? Breakfast Lunch Dinner After-Hours Cocktails 7. Which type of charity are you MOST LIKELY to support: Children s Health Education Homelessness People with disabilities Wounded Warriors Elderly Programs (meals on wheels, eldercare) Other: 8. What CE topics would interest you? (please check all that apply) Personal line focus Commercial line focus Industrial line focus Property Liability Workers Comp Medical Legal Ethics Other: 9. What group/social activities would you most like to participate in? (please check all that apply) Golf Tennis Bowling Tournament Concerts Movie Nights Pro. Baseball Events Pro. Basketball Events Pro. Football Events Other: 10.Which convention venue/area is most appealing to you? Gwinnett Center area Cobb Galleria area Alpharetta area Perimeter area 11. Name: Company: Work Address: Work Direct #: Mobile #: Thank you so much for your time. ACA Visionary Committee 4

5 ACA Golf Outing May 6, 2014, what a beautiful day for golf and tennis, temperature in the mid eighties with a cooling breeze. 82 golfers and 8 tennis players turned out to have fun, and fun they had at the Atlanta Claims Association s 34th golf outing. Golfball Toss Goodie bags were provided by The Claims Solution with contents coming from many of the sponsors, friend and associates of the Atlanta Claims Association. At the bragging and weeping hour it was revealed the following teams had won bragging rights: 1st Place - 56 Steve Macon Ken Swanson Mike Walton Rodney Dodd 2nd Place - 57 Steve Kyle Brian Maphet Phil Smith Joel Steber 3rd Place - 58 Adam Joffe Josh Stine Stanford Casey Brian Thompson Our sponsors were key to making the day fun and enjoyable for all with their financial support and great door prizes. Please take a minute to see the list and thank them for their continued support of the Atlanta Claims Association. Custard Insurance Adjusters Golf Cart Bovis Kyle Burch & Medlin Primary Charity Sponsor In-Line Golf Ball Sponsor Ringler Associates Dinner Sponsor Palmetto Adjusters Dinner Sponsor MDD Forensic Accountants Hole-In-One Sponsor Enterprise Hole-In-One Sponsor Only Contents Hydration Stations Sponsor Parker Young Construction Gold Sponsor Swift Currie Gold Sponsor Nelson Architectural Engineers, Inc. Gold Sponsor Hall Booth Smith, PC Gold Sponsor PT&S Forensic Consulting Services, P.A. Gold Sponsor RGL Forensics Gold Sponsor Board Up Gold Sponsor MKC Medical Management Gold Sponsor Sedgwick Gold Sponsor Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc. Gold Sponsor Forcon International Silver Sponsor Levy Pruett, Attorneys at Law Silver Sponsor Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan PLLC Silver Sponsor FSSX (Fee, Smith, Sharp & Vitulle LLP) Silver Sponsor Mabry McClelland, LLP Silver Sponsor Woodall & Broome Silver Sponsor SEA Scientific Experts Analysis Silver Sponsor Good, McGuffey, Lindsey & Johnson Silver Sponsor Jimmy John s Lunch Sponsor Trial Exhibits, Inc. Signage Then, there was the team who earned weeping time with a score of 75 whose identity will remain anonymous, but they were rewarded for their efforts with a supply of golf balls to replace the ones they surely lost during the long hot day. The Committee would like to acknowledge and thank Karen Gizzard for her work in reviving the tennis aspect of this outing. Through her efforts we had 8 players with the winner of the match going to Brian Gustason. Kowalski Brown presenting an award to Scott Busby for chairing the Golf Outing Committee. William D. Deveney & Karen Grizzard We would be remises if we did not mention and thank Scott Busby and his assistant Sandra Kirdish for the many years they worked tireless as chair of the golf committee. Scott has decided to pass to baton to Constance Woods and Andrew Fisher for the coming year. Scott was presented with a plaque by president, Kowalski Brown, thanking him for his past service to the Atlanta Claims Association. Thank you Scott, you will be missed as the leader of the group. 5

6 92nd Annual Convention RIDING THE WAVES OF TECHNOLOGY Remarks by the outgoing and incoming Presidents were also made with the passing of the gavel to our new president, Kowalski Brown. We congratulate the new officers, board of directors, and committee chairpersons and we know they will continue the great work of this outstanding association. Our 92nd Annual Convention is now over and it was a real success. There were many, many good comments made regarding the convention. The convention began on Wednesday with the Officers and Awards Luncheon. Jim Hiers presented us with an outstanding and entertaining speaker that everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Mr. Hiers installed out new President Kowalski Brown and the other officers for the year ACA hosted an exhibitors reception on Wednesday and was attended by many of our exhibitors and members. It was our pleasure to be able to give door prizes to all the exhibitors and a good time was had by all. The exhibitors expressed their appreciation for all we do for them during our convention. The Gwinnett Center had a good crowd on Thursday during the day and evening on Thursday with guests visiting the exhibit booths and the hospitality suites. Thursday was also the Education Committee s Mock Trial which was well attended and a huge success. The highlight of the Awards Luncheon was the presentation of the Claims Person of the Year Award to Linda Mihyar with American Southern Insurance Company. Linda was awarded a check for $ and received the J. C. Fickling Memorial Award Trophy. Patty Bakmaz presented the Scholarship Awards and Kowalski Brown presented the 25 Year Certificates. Congratulations to all the winners. A special thank you goes to the Gwinnett Center and Proof of the Pudding. The facility is outstanding and the catering excellent. The staff of both the Gwinnett Center and Proof of the Pudding is what helps make our convention a success. They are very professional and eager to work with us in making this event great. A special thanks to our many sponsors and a list is provided separately in this edition. We were pleased with the number of exhibitors that we had this year. Each vendor commented regarding the ease of moving amongst the displays in our floor plan and the ease of moving in the exhibit floor from the outside ramp. Some of the comments were: 1. Thanks for everything. We plan to come back and be a part of your 93rd convention 2. I plan to exhibit next year as this is a great show and has great benefits 3. We appreciate all you do for the exhibitors 4. Many expressed they liked the Gwinnett Center 5. One good contact makes it all worthwhile Many others expressed they really enjoyed the convention and are looking forward to next year. We believe the responses sum up the success of the convention. The money machine was also a huge success. A very special thanks is also due to the firms hosting hospitality suites. You are appreciated and certainly help to make the convention a success. A complete list of exhibitors, hospitality suites and sponsors are listed in this issue of the Claimscene. 6

7 92nd Annual ACA Convention Exhibitors/Sponsors Exhibitors AAN, Inc. (Associated Adjusters Network) AFG Claims Services, LLC Applied Technical Services, Inc. Assured Relocation, Inc. Atlanta Claims Association Atlanta CPCU Society Chapter Atlanta Engineering Services, Inc. Atlanta Spine Specialists Auto Damage Appraisers Bar List Publishing Belfor Property Restoration Beverly Manley & Associates Blackmon Mooring Chris Shiver, PE LLC Cook Claims Services, Inc. Coventry Workers Comp Services Crawford & Company Diminished Value of Georgia Disaster One Donan EFI Global Electronic Restoration Services Enterprise Rent-A-Car Evans Garment Restoration FireStar Florida Law Alliance Forcon International Frontier Adjusters Full Circle Restoration & Construction Services Haag Engineering Co Hospital Canvass IADA Association Ianet In-Line Consulting Insurance Recruiting Specialists Kids Chance of Georgia, Inc. Lang Restoration & Construction LWG Consulting Nelson Architectural Engineers, Inc. NuQuest/Bridge Pointe Parker Young Construction Premier Restoration, Inc. PT&C Forensic Consulting Services QuestPro Consultants/Q-TEMPS Research & Replacement Group Rimkus Consulting Group Ringler Associates R&R Van Lift Sales & Service, Inc. SCA Transportation Forensics ServiceMaster Restore Servpro-GA Stanley Steemer Restoration Services Stop Loss Inc. Textile Restorations Totura & Company Tri-Starr Investigations Veracity Research Co (VRC) Investigations U.S. Forensic Sponsors Officer s Installation and Awards Luncheon: Cunningham Lindsey Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc. Teague, Campbell, Dennis & Gorham, L.L.P. White-Hart and Associates Luncheon Reception: Cook Claims Services, Inc. Custard Insurance Adjusters, Inc. Phillip D. Gentry Investigations Luncheon Entertainment: Swift, Currie, McGhee and Hiers Exhibitors Coffee Break: Allegra Print & Imaging Center Property Loss Services Ringler Associates Zirkle and Hoffman Money Machine Sponsor Disaster One 2014 Hospitality Suites Custard Insurance Adjusters Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan, PLLC Ringler Associates Ringler Medicare Solutions S-E-A White-Hart and Associates is pleased to announce that they have been joined by James V. Painter, F. Michael Taylor and Amanda D. Lynde of Augusta, Georgia. The firm will now be known as We are also pleased to announce the opening of an office in Augusta, Georgia. Representing clients in the areas of professional and product liability defense, medical malpractice defense, insurance defense, insurance coverage and first party cases, workers compensation, and civil litigation. Claims Sce Double Vertical S Triple Vertical: 411 E. Liberty St. Savannah Broad St., Suite 501 Augusta brennanwasden.com 7

8 Phillip W. Jarrell James C. Greene Dukes, Dukes, Keating & Faneca, P.A. C O M PA N Y CLAIMS, SUBROGATION, APPRAISAL, UMPIRE & EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES Multi-line adjusting service throughout the Carolinas. Home Office: P.O. Box Raleigh, NC Visit our website at or fax us at (919) assign@jcgreeneco.com Providing Forensic Engineering and Expert Witness Services Since Areas of Expertise: Accident Reconstruction Biomechanics Construction Fire Investigation Geotechnical Materials Roofing Automotive Civil Electrical Fire Protection Industrial Hygiene Mechanical Structural Forensic Scientists & Engineers Services: Failure Analysis/Cause & Origin Laboratory Testing Accident Investigations Expert Testimony Specializing in: Power & Energy Fire & Explosion Electrical & Mechanical Civil/Structural 1000 Hurricane Shoals Rd, Suite D-500, Lawrenceville, GA Phone: Fax: Zirkle & Hoffman Mediation Services Attorney at Law th Street, Sixth Floor Post Office Drawer W Gulfport, Mississippi Tel: (228) Fax: (228) jarrell@ddkf.com ACA Member No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. Peters & Associates, S.C. Investigative Accountants Lester V. Hankes, Jr. CPA/CFF, CFE Fax: Windy Hill Road Suite 300 PMB#2070 Marietta, Georgia lhankes@paacpas.com Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Milwaukee & Minneapolis CJ HESTER INC Claim & Risk Management Services 400 Galleria Parkway Suite 1750 Atlanta, GA Commercial & Residential Property General Liability Investigations Auto & Truck Liability Investigations Workers Compensation Investigations SIU / Fraud Investigations Serving The Insurance Industry For Over 30 Years Proudly defending employers, insurers & TPAs since 1992 Proudly defending employers, insurers & TPAs since Zal Linder, Attorney At Law *AdmittedZalinLinder, Georgia & Florida Attorney At Law *Admitted in Georgia & Florida 5555 Glenridge Connector, Ste. 200 Atlanta, GA Glenridge Connector, Ste. 200 Atlanta GA * Florida offices in Winter Park Tallahassee Fort Pierce Pompano Beach Fort Myers Miami-Dade Offices in North Florida Central Florida Treasure Coast Broward Miami/Dade Fort Myers Atlanta Equipment Damage Consultants Damage Assessment & Costing Services Electronics Mechanical Electrical Desk and Field Assignments We specialize in lightning versus power surge analysis! hesterinc.net claims@hesterinc.net Cathy J. Hester Owner/CEO Cell Serving ALABAMA, MISSISSIPPI, FLORIDA PANHANDLE, SW GEORGIA, ATLANTA AREA, and SOUTHERN LOUISIANA