Mid-Valley Claims Association News Network
November 2015 Volume XXII • Number X
Serving MVCA Since 1994
www.MidValleyClaims.org
Avoiding Costly Litigation Neil Callahan Borton Petrini, LLP
Friday November 20, 2015 Attend the next luncheon meeting of the Mid-Valley Claims Association Friday, November 20, 2015, as we welcome guest speaker Neil Callahan, of the Borton Petrini law firm.
Join MVCA NOW for 2016!
Join the MVCA for our next luncheon meeting of the year
Friday
November 20, 2015
Neil Callahan Borton Petrini, LLP at
Pa pa pa v lo’s
Mediterranean Bistro
- see back page
501 N. Lincoln Center, Stockton - see page 5
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Mid-Valley Claims Association News Network • November 2015
Your 2015 Mid-Valley Claims Association Board of Directors 2015 OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
SECRETARY
Norman-Spencer Agency, Inc.
Frontier Adjusters
Royalty Restoration Services
(209) 478-1422
(209) 529-3110
Centralcalclaims@aol.com
gbishop613@comcast.net
Sherry Wenograd
Staci Moreno
(209) 946-6674 StaciMoreno@Norman-Spencer.com
Gaye Bishop
2015 BOARD MEMBERS Bob Bishop
Danielle Dynes
Private Investigator Global Hawk Insurance
DeeDee Hintze
Katie Howard
Restoration Mgmt Co. Sierra Env. Testing & Consulting, Inc.
TREASURER & PAST PRESIDENT Deena Lucero
Frontier Adjusters (209) 603-5006 midvalleyclaims@gmail.com
John Tucker
York Claims Services, Inc.
Marvin Wenograd Frontier Adjusters
MVCA Rep to the Claims Conference of Northern California DeeDee Hintze & Katie Howard
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Mid-Valley Claims Association News Network • November 2015
Mid-Valley Claims
Welcoming The Season
Association
3
Dear Members,
It’s that time of the year once again….warm fires; hot chocolate (or totties) and thank goodness some rain! I would like to thank Kurt Bridgman for his presentation at our October luncheon.
November 2015
Volume XXII • Number X
This month we welcome back Neil Callahan from the Law Offices of Borton Petrini, LLP. Mr. Callahan will be addressing “Avoiding Costly Litigation”. We hope to see everyone on November 20th.
2 - 2015 MVCA Officers & Board of Directors 3 - November 2015 MVCA President’s Message 4 - Association News Network Profile:
John Miller
Please remember to bring your “Toys for Tots”. Each year our Association donates bags of toys to children who may not have a present to open. This year we have reached out to San Joaquin County’s Mary Graham Hall to donate to the to the children on-site at their facility. The children currently at their facility are Pre-Teen/ Teen. For each unwrapped gift you bring to the Holiday Luncheon you will receive 1 ticket entry for our special raffle. **Listen Up All Paid Members**
- AssnNewsNetwork Job Connection
5 - Neil Callahan on Avoiding Costly Litigation at
MVCA 2015 Holiday Luncheon - Friday, December 11, 2015. This year’s lunch will be held at The Reserve at Spanos Park from 11am-3pm.
November 20th MVCA
6 - MVCAAN Services Directory 7 - MVCA Upcoming Events draws a crowd 8 - 2016 MVCA Membership Application www.MidValleyClaims.org
Your dedication and continued participation with Mid-Valley Claims Association has not gone unrecognized. For those of you who email me that you have paid your 2014 MVCA Annual Membership dues at the beginning of this year will receive your holiday lunch free complementary of Mid-Valley Claims Association . As stated we will be announcing our 2016 MVCA Board Members.
Annual Membership dues for 2016 are being accepted. Feel free to renew online or by mail. Go to www.MidValleyClaims.org/join.html Your MVCA President,
Staci Moreno
2015 Mid-Valley Claims Association President Boat & Yacht Claims Manager Norman-Spencer Agency, Inc. StaciMoreno@Norman-Spencer.com Direct:(800) 633-8606 ext.1380
Construction & Restoration Specialist CA License# 877420
• Water, Fire & Mold Mitigation • Fast turn around • Quality Workmanship
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Mid-Valley Claims Association News Network • November 2015
ASSOCIATION NEWS NETWORK
PERSONALITY PROFILE
JOHN MILLER, CFI By Bryan Harrison
John Miller is no stranger to dealing with fire investigations. As a former Fire Captain for Sacramento City Fire Department as part of his experience, John has investigated over 2,000 fire and explosion losses to date. His firm, John Miller Investigations, Inc., investigates the origin and cause of all types of fires and explosions. As a longtime fire investigator, John has seen and been involved in investigating a wide array of losses over the years. It all began back in 1972, he explains, when, out of high school, he enlisted into the armed forces. “I joined the USAF (United State Air Force) and became a firefighter,” he shares. Following his time in the service, this
New York native found a home with the Sacramento City Fire Department. There he excelled . At Sac City Fire, he tells us, “I was promoted to fire investigator for three years. Then I was promoted to Fire Captain,” he says. John retired from the fire department and started his own investigations company in 1998. In addition to origin and cause, JMI handles retrieval, transportation, and storage of all types of related evidence, and
provides evidence examination facilities as needed for losses throughout California & Oregon. A Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator, John is a member of: the National Association of Fire Investigators; International Association of Arson Investigators; and is a recognized Certified Fire Investigator with the State of California Fire Marshal’s Office. As a licensed private investigator in Calicontinued on page 7
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
CASUALTY ADJUSTER Freese & Gianelli is looking for a part-time Casualty Adjuster with Casualty and Property experience. Service area throughout the Central Valley. Fax resumes to 209 527-8847. 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 866-9354426 or email to Gary@GEMSearchgroup.com. Serving the Insurance Industry since 1995. Liability Claims Specialist CSAC Excess Insurance Authority is looking for a qualified Liability Claims Specialist. Candidates must have at least two years of GL exp. Visit our website at www.csac-eia.org to apply.
Submit Your Job Connection ad to:
Choose from Five (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 December 1, 2015 call 209-229-8240 or fax FAX# 209-229-8328 info@AssociationNewsNetwork.com
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Mid-Valley Claims Association News Network • November 2015
Avoiding Costly Litigation Neil Callahan
Borton Petrini, LLP at November 20, 2015 MVCA Plan now to attend the next luncheon meeting of the Mid-Valley Claims Association Friday, November 20, 2015, as we welcome guest speaker Neil Callahan, of the Borton Petrini law firm. Mr. Callahan plans to discuss ways to avoid costly litigation. Cornelius J. “Neil” Callahan is a partner in Borton Petrini, LLP’s Modesto office, which covers Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Merced, Mariposa, Calaveras, and Tuolumne counties. Neil earned his undergraduate degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and then went on to receive his J.D., cum laude, at Pace University School of Law in White Plains, New York. He specializes in civil litigation involving public entities, law enforcement and civil rights. Neil has represented multiple public entities in California for over 14 years. He has defended personal injury and wrongful death cases stemming from alleged dangerous conditions, civil rights violation, and public nuisance claims for local public entities including the cities of Ceres, Riverbank, Oakdale, Sonora, Lathrop, Angels Camp, Escalon, Waterford, Patterson, Atwater, Hughson, Turlock, Elk Grove, Gustine, and Livingston. Other public entities that Neil has represented include the County of Stanislaus, the Special District Risk Management Authority, the Central San Joaquin Risk Management Authority, and the South San Joaquin Irrigation District. Neil has had a varied background,
which has provided him with a broad base of experience he applies to his legal practice. He was a special education teacher for autistic children for five years, prior thereto he was a legislative intern for a U.S. Congressman and the New York State Attorney General. While in the Attorney General’s Office, Neil worked in the areas of civil rights and consumer fraud. As an associate attorney in a New York law firm, Neil was a member of the litigation team serving as counsel to a Fortune 500 computer company in a nationwide repetitive stress injury litigation. He was responsible for defending lawsuits filed in both state and federal court in Connecticut and New York. He also supervised local counsel in California. Neil acted as national counsel for a major bottled water corporation in toxic tort matters. Neil is affiliated with several professional organizations. In addition to the State Bar of California, he is a member of the Bar in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, and the Stanislaus County Bar Association. Prior to coming to the Firm, Neil had been a trial attorney practicing in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Please purchase your lunch at: www. MidValleyClaims.org now so we have an accurate count, or contact MVCA Treasurer Deena Lucero to make reservations for payment by check or cash at the door: 209-603-5006.
Join MVCA This
Friday, November 20, 2015 Neil Callahan Borton Petrini, LLP at
Pa pa pa v lo’s
Mediterranean Bistro
501 N. Lincoln Center, Stockton
11:30 a.m. check-in Noon - 1:00 p.m. luncheon Choice of Luncheon Entree Served
Just $22 for paid 2015 Members $28 for Non-Members or No Reservations
Purchase your monthly lunch, and pay your annual membership dues online, directly, at: www.MidValleyClaims.org Or, for payment by cash or check at the door, please make your reservations now with 2015 MVCA Treasurer Deena Lucero: 209-603-5006, or midvalleyclaims@gmail.com
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Mid-Valley Claims Association News Network • November 2015
Mid-Valley Claims AssnNewsNet Services Directory CONTRACTORS - ASBESTOS/LEAD/MOLD REMEDIATION
AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - Barry Metcalf 8440 Elder Creek Road bmetcalf@amer-tech.com • (916) 388-2440 Sacramento, CA 95828 Fax (916) 388-2445 BELFOR USA - Grant Cody 3132 Dwight Rd Ste 300 (209) 339-4301 • Fax (209) 339-4302 Elk Grove, CA 95758 grant.cody@us.belfor.com JM ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. - John Moore & the JM Team PO Box 2189 www.jmenvironmental.net • (916) 726-0304 Granite Bay, CA 95746-2189 Fax (916) 726-0340 P.W. STEPHENS ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. - Jason Kettlehut 3278 Swetzer Road www.pwstephensinc.com • (916) 212-2962 Loomis, CA 95650 jasonk@pwsei.com
CONTRACTORS - ELECTRICAL
TUCKNOTT ELECTRIC CO. - Robert A. Tucknott, CFLC Forensic Electrical Expert bob@tucknott.com • (925) 931-0800 www.Tucknott.com • Fax (925) 931-0817
CONTRACTORS - GENERAL RESTORATION
BELFOR USA - Grant Cody 3132 Dwight Rd Ste 300 (209) 339-4301 • Fax (209) 339-4302 Elk Grove, CA 95758 grant.cody@us.belfor.com HUGON CONSTRUCTION 4601 Spyres Way Suite 1 (209)491-2620 Modesto, CA 95454 Raquel.hugonconst@yahoo.com • (209)581-0149 K2GC GENERAL CONTRACTOR, INC. - Ken Turnage We treat your home as if it were our own, www.K2GCinc.com • (925)754-5232 and value your time as we do our own. K2GC@comcast .net
CONTRACTORS-MICROBIAL REMEDIATION
AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - Barry Metcalf 8440 Elder Creek Road bmetcalf@amer-tech.com • (916) 388-2440 Sacramento, CA 95828 Fax (916) 388-2445
Thank You To ALL our Advertising Sponsors Deadline for submissions is December 1, 2015 call 209-229-8240 or fax FAX# 209-229-8328 info@AssociationNewsNetwork.com
CONTRACTORS-MICROBIAL REMEDIATION
-continued
BELFOR USA - Grant Cody 3132 Dwight Rd Ste 300 (209) 339-4301 • Fax (209) 339-4302 Elk Grove, CA 95758 grant.cody@us.belfor.com P.W. STEPHENS ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. - Jason Kettlehut 3278 Swetzer Road www.pwstephensinc.com • (916) 212-2962 Loomis, CA 95650 jasonk@pwsei.com
ENGINEERS - FORENSIC
COMPLERE ENGINEERING GROUP, INC. - Gene Wilkins, P.E. Fire C&O, Property Liability, Thermography, Structural, Combustion Safeguards 4230 Kiernan Av., Suite 210 wilkins@complere.com • (209) 545-8165 Modesto, CA 95356 www.complere.com • Fax (209) 545-8170
ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING & CONSULTING
SIERRA ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING & CONSULTING, INC. - Chris Hintz P. O. Box 1563 www.SierraEnviro.com • (209) 366-3684 Woodbridge, CA 95258 Fax (866-612-8294
FIRE INVESTIGATORS
FIRE CAUSE ANALYSIS - Ulises Castellon, CPCU Throughout California, (800) 726-5939 • Fax: (510) 649-3099 Nevada, Arizona, Oregon & N. Dakota inquiry@fcafire.com JOHN MILLER INVESTIGATIONS (JMI) - John Miller, CFI Throughout Northern California (530) 346-1111 jmi@jmifire.com • www.JMIfire.com
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
Vi s i b i l i t y Print
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Contact Lynna Harrison 925-785-7021 or go to:
AssociationNewsNetwork.com/rates/
FRSTeam by CUSTOM COMMERCIAL - Jim Nicholas 910 Striker Avenue, Suite E (800) 80-SMOKE • (916) 920-0482 Sacramento, CA 95834 Fax (916) 920-0483
PROPERTY RESTORATION/CONTENTS
AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - Barry Metcalf 8440 Elder Creek Road bmetcalf@amer-tech.com • (916) 388-2440 Sacramento, CA 95828 Fax (916) 388-2445 BELFOR USA - Grant Cody 3132 Dwight Rd Ste 300 (209) 339-4301 • Fax (209) 339-4302 Elk Grove, CA 95758 grant.cody@us.belfor.com ROYALTY RESTORATION SERVICES - Kevin Messer/Gaye Bishop 1331 Granite Lane kevin@royaltycleaning.com • (209) 529-3110 Modesto, CA 95351 Fax (209) 529-3187
The Mid-Valley Claims Association News Network© is a production of Association News Network, Inc. Published monthly as a free service to the MVCA 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 MVCA. 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.MidValleyClaims.org
Please submit articles for consideration by email, to: Bryan Harrison, Publisher
For Advertising opportunities and information, contact: Lynna Harrison, New Accounts Manager
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Mid-Valley Claims Association News Network • November 2015
In Memoriam Christopher Troy Hintz December 4,1969 - September 13, 2015
Christopher Troy Hintz (Henry), 45, suddenly passed away on September 13, 2015 in an offroad accident at the place he cherished the most, “Snowflower Camp Ground” in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Chris was born December 4, 1969 and was raised in Lodi, California. After graduating from Lodi High's class of 1988, Chris worked in the environmental industry for the last 24 years. In 2008 Chris established Sierra Environmental Testing and Consulting, Inc. Anybody that knew him well knows what a generous, kind hearted, intelligent and adventurist man he was. Not only generous in the industry but most of all with his family and friends. Chris was never seen without at least one of his five huskies. He had a great love for the outdoors, whether it was off-roading and
MVCA Upcoming Events
Luncheon meetings are held the THIRD FRIDAY of each month at Papapavlo’s in Stockton, except where indicated. www.MidValleyClaims.org
Friday, November 20, 2015 Luncheon Meeting
Neil Callahan
Law Offices of Borton Petrini
Friday, December 18, 2015 Holiday Luncheon party
Friday, January 15, 2016 Luncheon Meeting
Friday, February 19, 2016 Luncheon Meeting
Friday, March 18, 2016 Luncheon Meeting
camping at Pismo Beach or off riding in the Sierra's with friends and family. Chris is survived by his Wife Angela, Daughter Ava Marie and Son Anthony Miller. Mom, Ardylee McCurdy (Phil), Dad, Douglas Hintz (Ann), Sister, Kim Schopp (Bob), Niece & Nephew, Brett & Morgan Schopp, Uncles and Aunts, Tom ( Marcia) Hintz, Tom (Cindy) Dockter, Step Brother, Bryan (Kim) Potter, Step Sister, Rebecca (Sushil) Yadav. Preceded in death by Grandparents, Herb & Ada Dockter and Al & Irene Hintz.
At this time there will be no memorial service. Chris will be deeply missed but will forever live in the hearts of his family and friends. Published in Lodi News-Sentinel from Sept. 19 to Sept. 26, 2015
John Miller, CFI Continued from page 4
fornia & Oregon, John is NFPA 921 & 1033 Compliant. “I have testified in court as an expert in fire investigations on several occasions,” he tells us. Part of investigating so many fire and explosion losses is handling and managing the evidence that comes with them. “I have been responsible for the handling and storage of over 17,800 pieces of evidence to date,” he says. John holds true to a root philosophy. “I believe in finding
the facts in all losses without prejudice,” he states proudly. “I handle all assignments personally, and I am starting my 17th year in the private sector. “ John operates his business from the centrally accessible city of Lodi, answering calls up and down and all around the state, as well as Oregon. He can be reached at: 530 346-1111, jmi@jmifire.com, or visit the firm’s new site: www. jmifire.com.
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Individual Annual Membership Dues Just: $25.00/person
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unlimited company members for firms of five or more: $100.00 Memberships are based on calendar year. Please complete one application per person.
Please include your E-mail address so that we can keep you apprised with upcoming meeting & special event notice reminders and information.
Make checks payable to Mid-Valley Claims Association Mail application and check to:
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c/o Deena Lucero, MVCA Treasurer PO Box 7634 • Stockton CA 95267
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Memberships are accepted from Insurance Company Claims Adjusters, Independent Adjusters, Insurance Defense Attorneys. Associates members include industry service providers. After the application has been received, All memberships are pending, subject to Board approval.