Leavitt Group Welcomes Douglas Fyfe

The Leavitt Group’s Woodland Hills office is pleased to announce that Douglas Fyfe has joined the agency as Managing Co-Owner. Fyfe’s focus will be property and casualty lines as well as recruiting and mentoring new agents.

Fyfe has been in the insurance industry for 23 years with experience in public entity, technology, manufacturing, construction and tribal insurance. He was previously with Compass Insurance/Schafer-Smith-Ankeney as President. Prior to Compass Fyfe was the Executive Vice President and Profit Center Manager for Brown & Brown Insurance. He earned a degree from Arizona State University and a Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law.

“This is a wonderful opportunity with the Leavitt Group to build an agency operation focused on client service, and to create an environment that supports our agents in that endeavor,” said Fyfe.

Leavitt Central Coast Insurance and McKalson Insurance Combine Operations

Leavitt Central Coast Insurance Services, a Leavitt Group affiliate, recently combined operations with McKalson Insurance Agency. The two agencies will operate as Leavitt Central Coast Insurance Services. Jack Starke, Francis Svedas and Ward McKalson are the managing principals.

Combining the operations made it possible for Leavitt Central Coast to represent dozens of insurance carriers offering all lines of insurance coverage. This allows employers manage all of their insurance needs through one agency. “We believe that simply placing coverage isn’t good enough. Leavitt Central Coast has made a substantial investment to bring value-added products and services to our clients; services that most insurance brokers simply don’t provide,” said McKalson.

Leavitt Central Coast is committed to providing the highest level of service and products. “Good service to us means a lot more than just getting good coverage at a reasonable price. We want to provide a complete business consultation resource to our clients,” said Svedas.

The agency was originally formed over 37 years ago to handle the insurance and risk management needs of companies who look to their outside professional service providers for a high level of expertise. The agency joined the Leavitt Group in 2006. McKalson Insurance Agency, which also has a long history of service in the area, specializes in group employee benefits.

Grow Your "Green” Business

When Jenkins Insurance Group welcomed Scott W. Reynolds to their team this summer, they not only recognized his ability to serve clients with risk management and insurance needs, but that his experience in the renewable energy industry would help grow their ‘green’ business. Reynolds is leading Jenkins’ new Energy Practice with a focus on the renewable energy industry.

“We are standing on the edge of transformational opportunities in the renewable energy industry,” said Reynolds. “The renewable energy sector is one of the fastest growing segments as the United States and other countries install ‘green’ energy to address global warming and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”

Reynolds has been in the insurance industry for 28 years with extensive experience in the mining and energy fields. He was previously with Marsh, Inc. where he was Senior Vice President and led Marsh’s Renewable Energy practice for the Western Region. Prior to Marsh, Scott was the Director of Risk Management at Florida Power & Light Company. Scott earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law and is a member of the American Bar Association and the State of Florida Bar Association.

When prospecting ‘green’ customers Reynolds is an invaluable resource and happy to help agencies capture business in this growing industry.

Jennifer Fiso Recognized as High Achiever by Travelers

Jennifer Fiso, Personal Lines Manger of Valley-Leavitt Insurance Agency was recently recognized as a personal insurance High Achiever by Travelers during a conference in Newport Rhode Island. She was among a select group of employees from independent insurance agencies from around the nation to be recognized.

The Travelers High Achiever award is designed to recognize insurance agency employees who display superior levels of customer service, demonstrate leadership skills, encourage teamwork among their peers and contribute to the overall success of their agencies. “Jennifer Fiso is an exceptional employee who contributes every day to the success of our agency and to the high level of personalized service we provide for our customers. We’re proud that she has been recognized by Travelers and appreciate her many contributions to this agency,” said agency owner Mike Waite.

To view an article printed in the Desert Valley Times click here.

Risk Services of Louisiana Welcomes Richard “Buck” Harris, Jr.

Risk Services of Louisiana, a Leavitt Group affiliated agency, is pleased to announce the hiring of Richard “Buck” Harris as a licensed insurance agent. Before joining the agency, Harris completed an extensive training at the Leavitt Group’s headquarters in Cedar City, Utah. He will focus on commercial insurance products, specializing in the oil, gas, and construction industries.

Harris has been in the insurance industry for 10 years with experience in claims adjusting, and as a marketing representative with an insurance carrier. He earned a degree in marketing from Louisiana Tech University.

“I look forward to working with the team at RSL and assisting our clients with their insurance needs,” said Harris.

Sloan-Leavitt Insurance Agency Welcomes Mike Seely

Sloan-Leavitt Insurance Agency is pleased to announce the hiring of Mike Seely as a licensed insurance agent. Before joining the agency, Seely completed an extensive training at the Leavitt Group’s headquarters in Cedar City, Utah. Utilizing his 30 years of agricultural experience, he will focus on crop insurance products.

“At Sloan-Leavitt Insurance, we consider ourselves business consultants using insurance products to help our clients manage risk and protect their way of life,” said Seely.

Seely has been in the insurance industry for seven years. He previously sold life insurance through New York Life. He also owned and operated a landscaping business and managed a construction equipment rental and sales business. Seely belongs to PLANET, the Professional Landcare Network.

Community rallies around fire safety and emergency preparedness

It’s not too far fetched to say the generous support of a few local organizations may very well save lives during the holiday season.

A special thanks goes out to PrideMark-Everest Insurance Services and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, who presented a $15,678 check yesterday to the Orange County Fire Authority as a grant to promote fire safety and prevention.

Orange County Fire Authority is directing this contribution to Register In Education (RIE), which provides local teachers with learning tools and copies of the Register to utilize as living textbooks.

The Register published its fifth annual Fire Safety guide (pictured at left, and downloadable here) on Oct. 7 during National Fire Prevention Week. The 12-page section is one of RIE’s primary educational tools, and is distributed to local schoolchildren in addition to running in the paper. It includes important information on how to protect homes from fires, safety tips, and preparing for earthquakes and emergencies.

The section has cool drawings, a maze, word search and connect-the-dots elements so kids can learn and have fun at the same time.

This local grant to Orange County Fire Authority, and other financial contributions from sponsors like the National Fire Sprinkler Association, makes it possible for the Register to produce this section.

A heartfelt thanks to these organizations for supporting our local firefighters and keeping our community safe!

Thanks to the folks at PrideMark-Everest Insurance Services and Fireman's Fund Insurance Company for their support of fire safety, prevention and education

Crisp Fire and Rescue receives grant

By BECKY CRISSMAN

CORDELE — Recently, Crisp County Fire and Rescue was able to purchase some much needed equipment and supplies thanks to a grant applied for on their behalf by a local campground. The Cordele KOA recommended CCFR for the grant, in the amount of $10,000, which came from the Fireman’s Fund through the Heritage Program of Leavitt Recreation and Hospitality Insurance. The company, based in Sturgis, South Dakota, specializes in RV parks and campgrounds.

“We insure campgrounds and RV parks all over the country,” said “Jimmy Tumblin of Leavitt Insurance. “The Heritage program issues grants all over the country. Campground owners/managers can recommend their hometown departments to receive the grant.”

Norma Perkins, general manager of the Cordele KOA did just that while attending a KOA rally in Myrtle Beach.

“They had the applications there and I just decided to fill one out,” she said. “I know our departments do the best they can with their resources, but can always use extra funding. Thousands of applied for the grant and we got it.”

As part of the application process, Perkins was required to write why she felt her hometown department deserved to receive the grant. She was able to do that and list some of the needs of the department with the help of Chief Ray Lunsford.

“The department is very grateful to be awarded this grant,” said Chief Lunsford. “We were able to buy some much needed equipment and supplies such as; C-Collars, stethoscopes, blood pressure cups, oxygen tanks and other supplies. The grant also enabled us to purchase six Automated External Difibrillators, or AED’s.”

The check was presented to the Crisp County Fire and Rescue Tuesday afternoon. Tumblin, and Don Culpepper of the Fireman’s Fund, along with Perkins presented the check.