Level Up Claims

In this podcast episode, leadership coach Juan Alvarado shares his journey from military service to leadership coaching. He discusses his desire to serve others which started with younger generations and extended to aid professionals at all levels. Alvarado critiques conference culture and aims to provide practical, actionable strategies in his sessions. Alvarado focuses on small, dedicated audiences and measures his success by challenging leaders to refine their practices. He introduced his Blueprint to Leadership program as a way to reach more people. Juan emphasizes the importance of authenticity in communication, understanding one's role as a leader, and the continuous cycle of growth. He is highly regarded for the generous donation of his time, leading to remarkable results in his coaching.

Who's the Guest? As an expert in Leadership and a Certified Gallup Strengths Coach, Juan is a widely regarded United States Army War Vet who has trained teams of tens of thousands of soldiers in high-stakes situations. He has helped School Districts increase team efficiency and strengthen communication which resulted in happier and more appreciated employees.

He helps individual leaders and their teams overcome complacency, and prevent burnout in the workplace. His "Blueprint to Leadership" Course has created more confidence and respect in personnel who carry supervisory and management roles. Being featured on FOX, NBC, and CBS has helped Juan lead the charge in creating Strength-Based leaders, and teams, giving rise to the culture at work for over 1500 School Administrators.

Highlights

• Juan's 20-year leadership journey starting with a decade-long stint in the army
• The need for leaders to have a higher level of knowledge and the impact of such leadership on the overall growth of the individual and organization
• Issues with promoting someone based purely on tenure rather than competence
• Juan's definition of success, which involves challenging the status quo and enabling people to think differently and set tangible steps towards their goals
• His strategy to share as much helpful information as possible during conferences and working with individuals who question the status quo
• Lack of intentionality as the primary cause of companies falling out of alignment
• The crucial role of intentionality in improving results and relationships in various aspects of day-to-day life
• The importance of knowing your goals and being present while engaging with your team members

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/
• Connect with Juan Alvarado
• https://weraizethebar.com/

Lawyer Chris Otten shares his journey switching from being an insurance defense lawyer to serving policyholders. He underlines the importance of empathy and honesty when interacting with clients. Chris finds his past as a defense lawyer beneficial in his present role, often mediating between clients and insurance companies. He mentions his passion for teaching and community engagement, aims to positively impact people's lives, and is always open to new endeavors. Besides his legal practice, he is also a part owner of a restaurant. Chris believes in continually striving for excellence and delivering outstanding outcomes for his clients.

Who's the Guest? Christopher G. Otten joined Hair Shunnarah Trial Attorneys in 2022. Prior to that, Chris represented plaintiffs for personal injury and property casualty claims, as well as in the insurance defense field, where his practice was primarily focused on health care and professional liability issues. A member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas, Chris is also admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana, the United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.

Born and raised in Hoboken, NJ, Chris came to New Orleans to attend Tulane University in 2001, graduating in 2005 with a B.S.M. in Legal Studies, German, and a minor in Political Science. In 2009, Chris earned his Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans, College of Law.

Highlights

• Chris' transition from New Jersey to Louisiana, his involvement in law since college, and the effects of Hurricane Katrina on his life
• The balance between understanding and letting the clients express their unique experiences
• Galen remembers his encounter with Chris in a courtroom and reflects on his effective courtroom skills
• His admiration for women who continue to succeed in managing their various responsibilities, including those who are pregnant or have young children
• His daily routine between his academic office, attending to client matters, and managing his restaurant
• The importance of maintaining good relations with people and making a difference in their lives
• The value of understanding and empathizing with clients to better solve their legal matters
• The role of empathy in attaining successful outcomes in the legal profession
• What it means for Chris to level up': Honesty, empathy, and delivering outstanding results for clients

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/
• Connect with Chris Otten
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com/attorney/christopher-g-otten/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisotten

Jef McCurdy, a veteran in the roofing industry and National Training Manager for Castagra, shares his journey of balancing personal life and career after adopting his nine-year-old niece. He illustrates how he received support from his colleagues and pitched his efforts towards making his daughter comfortable in their family and his work environment. A strong advocate for prioritizing family over work, Jef promotes spending quality time with loved ones and teaching children the value of time over money. Despite his significant contributions to the industry, his decision to dedicate more time to his family led him to transition into a consulting role and establish a well-received training program for Castagra.

Who's the Guest? Jef McCurdy is the National Training Manager at Castagra Products, Inc., and he is involved in the roof coatings industry. He is dedicated to elevating the roof coatings industry through product development and training. He is a roof coatings expert and the founder of CooRooCo (Cool Roof Coatings Consulting)]. Jef is associated with Copa Coatings Co, which is a premier seller of Castagra's Ecodur 201R, a eco-plastic polymer formulated for the roofing industry.

Highlights

• Jef's early introduction to the roofing industry, growing up in a family of roofers and his rise through various roles in the sector
• Transition to sustainable roofing products without necessarily reducing the quality
• The value of quality over quantity in attracting potential clients
• Jef's role as National Training Manager at Castagra, a provider of eco-friendly roof coating
• His adoption journey and his commitment to creating a better work-life balance
• His personal experience with adoption and how his colleagues at San Diego Roofing were supportive during his adjustment period
• Why there should be a balance between work and family time
• What it means for Jef to level up

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/
• Connect with Jeff McCurdy
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefmccurdy/
• https://www.castagra.com/

Dmitry Lipinskiy discusses his rise from a trade worker in Siberia to an influential figure in the U.S. roofing industry. Driven by hard work, ambition, and the dedication to offer valuable content, Dmitry has created a reputable brand and a popular YouTube channel where he exposes immoral practices in the industry. He shares the concept behind his creation of the Roofing School and his approach to dealing with conflicts within the industry. Dmitry also delves into his several business ventures, including an underlayment business in China, and his main focus - a screened contractors directory aiming to compete with large firms like Angie Tomtack, which he anticipates to be his billion-dollar project.

Who's the Guest? Dmitry Lipinskiy is a serial entrepreneur, business consultant and host of the most influential YouTube channel in the roofing industry. Over the last 15 years, he has founded and sold several multi-million dollar companies, and in 2020, he formally launched his media company Roofing Insights. As an established business leader and consumer advocate, Dmitry produces podcasts and videos featuring the biggest names in roofing and remodeling.

His online Roofing Insight's Business School educates hundreds of people every year, and for the last 5 years he has led the Roofing Process Conference, one of the most esteemed gatherings in the industry. His latest venture Directorii is a digital platform connecting contractors and homeowners. Having immigrated from Siberia, Russia as a young adult, he is a true testament of the American Dream.

Highlights

• The competitiveness and challenges of the roofing business
• How perfect the roofing business is as a side gig
• How Dmitry started his YouTube channel
• Dmitry as the Robin Hood of the industry, being dedicated to exposing malpractices in the industry even though it put a target on his back
• How the Roofing School was born due to the demand for education and training in the roofing industry
• Conducting fair interviews even when he personally doesn't agree with the interviewee, maintaining the integrity of his platform
• His perspective on "leveling up" and becoming a better version of oneself which he is striving for, in various aspects of life

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/
• Connect with Dmitry Lipinskiy
• https://roofing-school.com/
• https://dmitrylipinskiy.com/

In the podcast, Mathew Mulholland, an expert and educator in the restoration industry, discusses his career progression, educational approach, and industry insights. He values education and works to make complex topics accessible, which has been affirmed by viewers of his training videos. He is dedicated to continuous learning, ensuring his material remains relevant.

Additionally, Mathew comments on challenges within the industry, such as inconsistencies in the appraisal process and the insufficient coverage obtained by public adjusters before involving attorneys. He proposes a structured information sharing platform but acknowledges the issues associated with its establishment.

Who's the Guest? Mathew Mulholland is an industry figure extremely well-versed in just about every aspect of the restoration industry. From damage to claims and everything in-between, Mat is ready to talk about education and advocacy, as well as identify what areas of the industry need the most improvement, and how that can happen.

Highlights

• How people in the industry learn from their experiences and adapt their strategies to succeed
• How Mat started his YouTube channel and realized he enjoyed educating others more than winning a claim
• The different teaching styles within the industry and how he approaches his educational process
• His determination to provide content and education that stays relevant and adaptable in the industry
• Different problems in the appraisal process
• The importance of full and proper industry education to prevent half-done work and potential harm to the appraisal process
• Various social media platforms as forums for industry discussions
• Creating a Georgia restoration collaboration group and the benefits of state-specific information

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/
• Connect with Mathew Mulholland
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-mulholland
• https://roofinginsights.com/public-adjusters-mathew-mulholland/

Marketing expert Randy Crane discussed with host Galen Hair the significance of emotional influence in marketing strategies. Randy argued that effective marketing requires responsiveness, responsibility, and real value delivery to clients. He underlined the importance of patience in sales and cultivating strong client relationships, saying rushing to close deals isn't beneficial. Randy also championed conscientious work, assuming responsibility for mistakes, and continuous learning and improvement.

Who's the Guest? Randy Crane, also known as The Fearless Marketer, is a nationally-recognized Sales and Marketing Specialist. He has held leadership positions in sales and marketing for over 40 years with global brands such as Molson Coors and Konica Minolta among others, as well as many thriving startups. Today, Randy shares his passion for leadership and marketing strategies that deliver customer value and business impact.

Highlights

• Randy Crane's story, including his original plan to become a priest, and how he ended up in marketing instead
• The importance of connecting emotionally with the person to whom you are marketing
• How he ended up in emotion-based marketing, based on his studies and observations of the influence of emotions in decision making
• Randy's personal resolve about not dealing with people he doesn't like
• What responsible marketing is and prioritizing delivering value to the clients above everything else
• The importance of customer/client relationships and retaining them in the long run
• How the book "Think and Grow Rich" became a pivotal moment in his life

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/
• Connect with Randy Crane
• https://fearlessmarketer.com/about-randy/
• https://ca.linkedin.com/in/telemarket
• https://www.facebook.com/FearlessMarketer/

This episode features industry leaders sharing their personal and professional insights on 'leveling up,' seen as a combination of personal growth, enhancing business operations, and improving industry standards. In their interpretations of 'leveling up', they highlight learning, certification, personal freedom, devotion to family, self-comfort, and achievement of best outcomes for clients.

Highlights

• John Michael Morgan and Natasha Dumont's interpretation of leveling up: personal accountability.
• Leveling up as moving forward and striving to be your best self.
• Leveling up to be a constant strive for improvement without complacency.
• Planning for the future, both in professional and personal life.
• Unlocking your true potential.
• Supporting another's success as a reflection of your own.
• Better representing their clients signifies leveling up for them.
• Being passionate about what you do.
• Level up through better training and networking.
• A progression in life and career.
• Derek Klein underlines that leveling up for him is about creating freedom, being a better husband and father.
• Attorney Parker Logan interprets leveling up as becoming comfortable with oneself.

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/

Galen welcomes Sej Deribin as she shares her journey transitioning from investment banking to the roofing industry. She discusses the challenges she faced entering a male-dominated industry and the unique processes she implemented to enhance efficiency within her company. Sej highlights her involvement with the National Women in Roofing, emphasizing the importance of education, networking, and collaboration among women in the industry. She also talks about the significance of ownership, independence, and teamwork in attracting and retaining talent within roofing companies. Throughout the conversation, Sej stresses the need for a balance between professional skills on paper and personal qualities such as energy, teamwork ethic, and personality when hiring for a successful team.

Who's The Guest Sej Deribin is the Co-Owner of Capitol Roofing. After 15 years in corporate banking in New York City, she shifted gears to roofing. Initially working at a startup, Sej pivoted solely to roofing amid the pandemic. As Capitol Roofing's Operations Officer, she handles finances, marketing, and production. With her husband, she revamped the family business by introducing new procedures, a CRM system, and better bookkeeping. Despite limited marketing efforts, their company has thrived. Sej actively participates in National Women in Roofing and her local school's PTO in Nutley, NJ, where she lives with her husband and two daughters, aged 8 and 10.

Highlights

• Sej's struggles and challenges when starting out
• The different lessons she learned that helped her progress in her career
• Advice to newcomers in the property casualty industry
• The importance of constant learning and the power of networking
• Her future plans and her continual pursuit towards helping others in the property casualty insurance industry

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• Connect with Sej Deribin
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/sejsorathia
• https://www.facebook.com/people/Capitol-Roofing-Company/100050949467563/

Galen Hair interviews Shay Jaumé, a lawyer at Insurance Claim HQ, who shares her experiences ranging from her shift from accounting to law, and handling cases, particularly clay tile roof claims. She faced challenges with insurance adjusters failing to follow up on claims and omitting information, suggesting direct contact with manufacturers when dealing with salvage materials and strict scrutiny of any information given by the insurance. Shay emphasizes meticulous documentation of damages and the avoidance of superfluous written communication as crucial advice for contractors. She also shared about her personal challenges such as fear of public speaking and balancing family life, work, and studies during the pandemic.

Who's the Guest? Attorney Shay Jaumé loves nothing more than defending the rights of policyholders against insurance companies. She joined Hair Shunnarah Trial Attorneys as a law clerk in 2020 before becoming a full-time attorney with the firm in 2021.

Shay started her professional life as an accountant in Shreveport with a degree from Louisiana State University before shifting her focus to law. She graduated Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in May 2021 and was a member of Phi Delta Phi, the oldest legal fraternity in continued existence in the United States.

Highlights

• The adjustments required to balance parenting and law school
• The considerations Shay makes when hiring an expert for a case
• Her experience presenting at the Level Up Claims Summit
• Insight into the challenges of working with clay tile cases, alluding to the arguments made by insurance companies and contractors in these situations
• A case where the insurer requested an ITEL report from the roofer
• How to verify the availability and quality of the tiles from the salvage yard
• The challenges in getting information and the proper material from salvage yards are discussed
• How she responds to different types of clients and situations when dealing with insurance companies
• Her advice to contractors and public adjusters about the best ways to document damages and what to avoid
• How she handles public speaking in court hearings and depositions compared to other public speaking situations

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• Connect with Shay Jaumé
• https://shunnarah.com/attorney/shay-fabacher-jaume/

Galen Hair interviewed Truvle's co-founder, Sam Drauschak, about the importance of process mapping in businesses. They discussed how Truvle, a software with an intuitive interface, simplifies process mapping and allows for a smooth, interactive virtual whiteboard experience. Sam stressed the need for detailed process understanding before implementing changes, considering it akin to storytelling.

Who's the Guest? Sam Drauschak is co-founder and chief process scientist at Truvle, whose mission is to help businesses achieve maximum revenue growth through the principles of process science. He is the author of Becoming A Conscious Business, which details the insights he achieved by studying the efficiency in nature and evolution that determines the survival and growth of species. The Truvle method applies these same principles to business systems to maximize efficient flow and energy that results in the elimination of waste to achieve optimal efficiency.

As a leader at Truvle, Sam helps organizations achieve maximum efficiency in business processes and energy flow. He has developed the Truvle Mapping Language (TML), a universal process mapping language adopted as the standard for multiple large enterprises globally.

Highlights

• The process of process mapping
• The necessity of understanding the existing process before making changes
• How process mapping helped Fortune 500 companies improve their operations
• The release of Truvle's process mapping tool which aims to make the process mapping work accessible for more people
• What is the goal of the whiteboard experience
• The end goal of process mapping and the accuracy that it demands
• Necessity to cut costs and increase revenues for all businesses
• Improving processes without an accurate understanding of the current scenario

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• Connect with Sam Drauschak
• https://www.truvle.com/sam-drauschak
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/samdrauschak