Central Coast Claims Association News Network - October 2016

Central Coast Claims

Association News Network A Professional Insurance Claims Organization

October 2016

Volume XXIV • Number I

www.CentralCoastClaims .org

Join Us for the next CCCA Event

Since 1993 with the CCCA!

Luncheon Party

Thursday, December 1, 2016 Scott’s Seafood Bistro • 185 Park Ave. • San Jose - see page 5

23rd Annual CCNC Shines!

- see page 2

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Central Coast Claims Association News Network • October 2016

23rd Annual CCNC Highlights

By Bryan Harrison

2016 CCNC President, Tami Umland, welcomes the keynote session crowd 2016 CCNC Keynote speaker, Matt Paxton

What began as an idea, and an initial planning session that got the ball rolling, back in 1993, the Claims Conference of Northern California has successfully carried through with its original mission: combining efforts between the area claims associations to provide Jennifer Pinney, Ron Peacock & Michelle Baughman a regional platform for continuing education for insurance claims professionals, as well as an annual industry tradeshow. And, they have done it year after year.

The 23rd annual CCNC, held one last time at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Sacramento September 14-16, 2016, paid homage to the traditions that have been built over time, while ushering in a wave continued page 4

Diane Viodes, Katie Howard & Hailey Ayres

Corby Schmautz, Lisa Winn, Kristen Mayo & Jim Krueger

Jackie Mezeul was joined by daughter, Dana.

Bill Hanamaikai was honored with a career achievement award

Your Central Coast Claims Association Board of Directors 2016 OFFICERS

PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

S E C R E TA RY

TREASURER

Denise Garcia Jackson TempHome Solutions

April Wilkinson David Morse & Associates

Lisa Winn Premier Construction

Shelly Lefore Casualty Adjusters Guide

408-483-7370 Djackson@nationalinsurancehousing.com

916-410-0865 awilkinson@dmaclaims.com

925-525-4370 lwinn@psghome.com

2016 BOARD MEMBERS Bryan Harrison Association News Network, Inc. bryan@associationnewsnetwork.com

Benjamin Daily Engineering Design & Testing BenDailey@edtengineers.com

(408) 782-5998 ShellyL@CAGWorld.com

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Central Coast Claims Association News Network • October 2016

Central Valley contractor convicted in $5.4 million underground economy case HANFORD, Calif. - The California Department of Insurance announced October 5, 2016 that one Michael Harold Kreger, 63, of Visalia, owner of Michael Kreger Contracting, was sentenced in California Superior Court in Kings County after his conviction on three felony counts of insurance fraud with a white collar crime enhancement charge. Kreger’s conviction was based on him cheating his workers’ compensation insurer out of more than $5.4 million in premiums.

“Employers operating in the underground economy cheat their employees, their insurer, and create an unfair competitive advantage,” said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. “I am committed to putting a stop to the underground economy and leveling the playing field for legitimate businesses that play by the rules.”

After receiving a referral from Kreger’s workers’ compensation insurer, detectives from the California Department of Insurance launched an inves-

tigation into Kreger’s business practices. The investigation included an audit of Kreger’s payroll records provided to his insurer and what he provided to the Employment Development Department, which revealed that for over four years Kreger intentionally underreported his payroll in order to mislead his workers’ compensation insurer and obtain artificially low workers’ compensation insurance premiums.

“This case is a clear example of Kings County’s prosecution team standing up for every business owner and employee who is affected by fraudulent business practices that manipulate the system and seek financial gain at the expense of injured employees and upstanding business owner. I am proud of the contribution and work done by all the investigation teams, especially Deputy District Attorney Michael Casaus, Senior Investigator Nicole Lucero, and

Legal Secretary Lynn Rikard on behalf of our office.” said Kings County District Attorney Keith Fagundes.

The Kings County District Attorney successfully prosecuted this case, leading to Kreger’s conviction and sentencing of 270 days (9 months) in jail, five years probation, 1500 hours of community service, and ordered restitution exceeding $5.4 million.

Kreger was convicted on 3 felony counts of Insurance Code 11880 (a) - making a false or fraudulent statement to determine the premium, rate, or cost of any workers’ compensation insurance policy; and Penal Code 186.11 - a white collar crime enhancement for fraud exceeding $100K.

The Central Coast Claims Association News Network© is a production of Association News Network, Inc. Published monthly as a free service to the CCCA with a commitment and dedication to the promotion and betterment of this professional organization. The views and comments expressed within the articles herein do not necessarily reflect the views of A.N.N., Inc. or CCCA. We assume no responsibility for any opinions and/or statements offered by contributing authors to the publication. Acceptance of advertising material does not constitute endorsement of the products or services offered. We reserve the right to reject any advertising copy or placement. We encourage industry support of this professional organization - its monthly newsletter publication and web site.

Go to: www.CentralCoastClaims.org

Please submit articles for consideration by email, to: Bryan Harrison, Publisher Bryan@AssociationNewsNetwork.com • 209.229.8240

For Advertising opportunities and information, contact: Lynna Harrison, New Accounts Manager Lynna@AssociationNewsNetwork.com • 925.785.7021

© 1993-2016, all rights reserved • Association News Network, Inc. • www.AssociationNewsNetwork.com • 2455 Naglee Rd. #263 . Tracy, CA 95304 • 209.229.8240 • fax 209.229.8328

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Central Coast Claims Association News Network • October 2016

CCNC Shines

continued from page 2

of new ideas, energy and enthusiasm.

A vibrant planning committee, with many new faces, sought to build on the successes while bringing into present day everything from the program presentations to the level of claims personnel they invited and aimed to entice to attend.

The biggest star of the event had to keynote address speaker, Matt Paxton, of the hit Reality TV show, Hoarders.

Having developed an alliance with the ServiceMaster organization to help his modest team handle the often extreme duties of the show, Paxton was able to give a real insider’s perspective to this audience. In addition to his Thursday morning keynote address, he also conducted a three-hour session that afternoon. In the morning keynote address, he spent a fair amount of time sharing his own personal background and story. Humble and very personable, he told several and often rather humorous tales of his earlier life. His point was to illustrate that addiction and obsessive behaviors can have many faces, and show up in numerous ways. Whether alcohol or drugs, gambling or even hoarding, these diseases must be dealt

with accordingly, and not just brushed off.

He explained how the experiences he endured served to later allow him a level of compassion with people who become hoarders that he said he likely would never have been able to understand had he not gone through the many misadventures of his own life.

Pa x t o n g a v e away autographed copies of his new book “The Secret Lives of Hoarders” immediately following the keynote session. He then spoke in the afternoon session to a full workshop crowd, addressing specific hoarding issues, and how to most properly approach and work with those involved to help their situation - not just clean up the mess when there is a claim involved. more photos page 7 • article continued back page

Afternoon opening session Wednesday, September 14, 2016 featuring Hector Alvarez on Workplace Violence Claims

Wednesday evening Welcome Reception, sponsored in part by CCCA.

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Central Coast Claims Association News Network • October 2016

Join Us for the next CCCA Event

Luncheon Party Thursday, December 1, 2016 Scott’s Seafood Bistro 185 Park Ave. • San Jose

Purchase your lunch Now online: www.CentralCoastClaims.org

Come Join Us!

Thursday, November 10, 2016 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. complimentary cocktail hour to follow at the Hilton Sacramento Arden West 2200 Harvard Street, Sacramento, CA 95815

Seminar Topics & Speakers

California Case Law Update Significant Important Recent Case Eric C. Fonferek, Associate, Monterey Office Leeh DiBello, Associate, San Francisco Office

Coverage Issues Update

David L. Blinn, Partner, San Francisco Office

Challenging Damages in High Exposure J. Stephanie Krmpotic, Partner, San Francisco Office Dennis Timoney, SDRMA Chief Risk Officer

A Humorous History of Asbestos Litigation Guy W. Stilson, Partner, San Francisco Office Vernice T. Louie, Associate, San Francisco Office

Free to Attend! Please RSVP by October 28th to:

Christine Reed: 831-655-8822 • creed@lowball.com Please specify if you plan to attend in person or by webinar.

Sign-Up to Attend Now! 11:30 a.m. check-in/social 12:00 pm Luncheon

$45 per person

Please RSVP so we know you’re coming with 2016 CCCA Secretary Lisa Winn 925-525-4370 or lwinn@psghome.com

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Central Coast Claims Association News Network • October 2016

Central Coast Claims A.N.N. Services Directory Thank you to all our paid CCCA Directory Listing Sponsors. Please let them know you saw them in the CCCA News Network.

CONTRACTORS - ASBESTOS/LEAD/MOLD REMEDIATION

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CONTRACTORS - ELECTRICAL

TUCKNOTT ELECTRIC CO. - Robert A. Tucknott 6850 Regional St. Suite 110 tucknottel@aol.com • (925) 931-0800 Dublin, CA 94568 www.Tucknott.com • Fax (925) 931-0817

CONTRACTORS - GENERAL/RESTORATION

BELFOR USA - Dave Warters/Lisa Schwichtenberg 2365 Industrial Pkwy West (888) 543-3473 • Fax (510) 887-9110 Hayward, CA 94545 david.warters@us.belfor.com SPRINGS CONSTRUCTION - Jim Atkins 881 Hurlingame Ave. jim@springsconstruction.com • (650) 222-2850 Redwood City, CA 94063 www.SpringsConstruction.com

CONTRACTORS - MICROBIAL REMEDIATION

ALLIANCE ENVIRONMENTAL - Ed Work 1250 Campbell Avenue www.alliance-enviro.com • (408) 830-9700 San Jose, CA 95126 info@alliance-enviro.com • Fax (408) 980-9746 BELFOR USA - Dave Warters/Lisa Schwichtenberg 2365 Industrial Pkwy West (888) 543-3473 • Fax (510) 887-9110 Hayward, CA 94545 david.warters@us.belfor.com P.W. STEPHENS ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. - Jackie Mezeul 4047 Clipper Court www.pwstephensinc.com • (510) 651-9506 Fremont, CA 94538 Fax (510) 651-7702

ENGINEERS - FORENSIC

I-ENG-A® OF CENTRAL CALIFORNIA A Division of Pauli Engineering, Inc www.pauliengineering.com • (559) 237-4408 Cause & Origin Investigations, Plans for building reconstruction.

OVERSPRAY REMOVAL

NATIONWIDE OVERSPRAY - Eric Gerencser Benicia, California

www.overspray.net • (925) 408-5909 Safe Overspray Removal eric@overspray.net • (800) 345-1269

PROPERTY RESTORATION/CLOTHING SPECIALIST

Bright Leaf Cleaners - John Morrison Garment Restoration - john@blcleaners.com • (209) 601-6899 Nobody CARES about you more www.blcleaners.com FRSTeam - Jim and Courtney Nicholas 3201A Investment Blvd 510-723-1000 Hayward, CA 94545 Natalie Lagorio: nlagorio@frsteam.com

PROPERTY RESTORATION/CONTENTS

BELFOR USA - Dave Warters/Lisa Schwichtenberg 2365 Industrial Pkwy West (888) 543-3473 • Fax (510) 887-9110 Hayward, CA 94545 david.warters@us.belfor.com

Thanks to our Paid Advertising Sponsors!

Deadline for the next issue submissions is November 18, 2016

Call Lynna at 925-785-7021 for advertising information

APPRAISER - HEAVY EQUIPMENT & AUTO

Frontier Adjusters is looking for a part-time appraiser for heavy equipment and auto in the Bay Area, North Bay and Central Valley. Must be proficient in Audatex or other similar software. Please call Marvin or Sherry at (800) 2624067 or email. Must have experience and references.

PROJECT MANAGER(S)

ATI - American Technologies Inc’s Sacramento Office is looking for professional Project Manager(s) skilled in estimating and managing property repair losses. Also looking for a PM that can estimate and manage contents losses. Must be proficient in Xactimate. IICRC training and certifications a plus. Check us out on-line at: www.ATIrestoration.com. Contact: Office Manager Raquel Romine: 916-388-2440, C: 916-214-7654, Raquel.Romine@ATIrestoration.com.

CLAIMS INDUSTRY PLACEMENTS

Gary E. Mingus, GEM Search Group provides both Temporary, Temp to Hire and Direct Hire placements in the Insurance Industry also, placing Vendors related to the Insurance Industry. Call Gary Mingus 866-935-4426 or email to Gary@GEMSearchgroup.com. Serving the Insurance Industry since 1995.

Submit Your Job Connection ad to:

Choose from Four (5) Monthly Editions - Four Print + Online Edition: Up to 50 words just $45 (just 50¢/word thereafter)

Run Your Ad Network-Wide for a net rate of just $180/mo.

Next Deadline for submissions is November 18, 2016 call 209-229-8240 or email info@AssociationNewsNetwork.com

Central Coast Claims Association News Network • October 2016

CCNC Casino Night Highlights

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CCNC Shines continued from page 4

The conference once again led-off with a 4pm Wednesday afternoon session, open to all. A focus on Workplace Violence related claims, with Hector Alvarez, was pretty widely attended. The session was then followed by a bit of a new wrinkle.

The opening night welcome reception was held at Tequila Museo Mayahuel, just around the corner from the Hyatt.

Sponsored in part by the CCNC Sponsoring Associations, the reception drew a big crowd, and served to kick-off an enthusiastic overall event.

Following a full day of sessions and exhibitor trade show time Thursday, September 15th, Casino Night at the 2016 CCNC was as popular as ever. Folks partied and danced until the end. Classroom and Trade Show activities resumed Friday morning, with the CCNC once again offering Department of Insurance Continuing Education credits for both the California and Texas DOIs. Next year’s event is slated for September 11-13, 2017, and is moving to the McClellan Conference Center, and will include interactive sessions inside an old Air Force hanger.