We have amazing employees at California Casualty. The Employee Spotlight is a new series aiming to highlight those talented individuals that make up our successful company culture and community. From human resource recruiters and learning and development trainers to claims adjusters, marketers, customer support specialists, partner relations, sales representatives, and beyond; each week, we’ll highlight a new team member, so you can get to know us better and see how our employees make us who we are as a company.
This edition of the Employee Spotlight will feature our Outbound Sales Agent, Josh Crooks
Josh has been with us for almost three years and is based in our Kansas Office.
Let’s get to know Josh!
What made you want to work in Sales at California Casualty?
I wanted the opportunity to excel in a career where my hard work would pay off financially.
The niche market and excellent lead quality at California Casualty made it a very desirable position. Also, the family atmosphere of a private company and leadership from the Sales Team managers made this the easy decision
What is your favorite part about your job?
I enjoy helping give back to the people who are on the front lines and making a difference in their communities. I get satisfaction out of saving people money that deserve it most.
I also enjoy the competitive atmosphere between our sales teams within the KSC office and CSC office.
I love having a sales position where you can have any day or month turn out to be a huge success. The added benefits of the work/life balance of not having to work weekends and not putting in more than 40 hours per week are excellent perks.
I also enjoy the people I work with and the structure of the organization.
What have you learned in your position at California Casualty?
I have learned that setting the stage with the correct customer expectations can make your life a whole lot easier. People appreciate honesty and letting them know how the insurance transition works upfront, we are able to complete the transaction smoothly.
What are your favorite activities to do outside of the office?
I am a huge sports fan. I enjoy attending sporting events and also participating in outdoor activities.
In the summer I spend a lot of time on the lake and exploring new places.
Anything else you would like the audience to know about you?
I have played soccer since age 5 and continue to play as much as possible.
I often take trips to Colorado to snowboard and prefer that over a beach vacation.
I am also into cars and going to car shows, auctions, etc.
I have 2 big dogs (both are half golden retriever/half pit bull) that I spend a lot of my time with the outside of the office, along with my girlfriend of 5 years, Kaleigh. Both she and I are into fitness and enjoy testing out different gyms, diet, and workout plans.
If you want to learn more about Josh or are interested in a career at California Casualty, connect with him on LinkedIn! Or visit our careers page at https://www.calcas.com/careers
We have amazing employees at California Casualty. The Employee Spotlight is a new series aiming to highlight those talented individuals that make up our successful company culture and community. From human resource recruiters and learning and development trainers to claims adjusters, marketers, customer support specialists, partner relations, sales representatives, and beyond; each week, we’ll highlight a new team member, so you can get to know us better and see how our employees make us who we are as a company.
This edition of the Employee Spotlight will feature our Internal Auditor, Devang Patel
Devang has been with us for almost a year and is based in our Home Office in San Mateo, CA.
Let’s get to know Devang!
What made you want to work in Auditing at California Casualty?
Job responsibility, company culture, career growth, and location.
What is your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part is working with a respectful talented team, offering professional & career advancement opportunities and great flexibility.
I love my job at California Casualty. I love that my role requires working with various departments which expands my knowledge of other areas and the industry. Engaging and collaboratively working with people from another department is a unique and valuable experience. It has been a very enjoyable journey so far, offering work/life balance to a great extent!
What have you learned in your position at California Casualty?
I have learned a lot already in my time here. Most importantly to deliver adequate results on challenging projects.
What are your favorite activities to do outside of the office?
My favorite activities include traveling, going to the gym, meditation, swimming, talking with family and friends, and enjoying delicious food! I am always looking forward to exploring new places and diversity among people. I enjoy taking random car rides to nearby towns. So far I have traveled to more than 15 states in America since moving to the U.S. which also includes a road trip from Massachusetts to Florida with friends. I have also visited Canada.
At an early age, I learned how important physical and mental wellbeing are, so going to the gym is something I have been doing for years now.
Some of my favorite foods are Indian, Asian, Mexican, Italian, Mediterranean, and burgers!
I also enjoy concerts, adventure activities, and riding motorcycles.
Anything else you would like the audience to know about you?
I went Skydiving in 2016 in Massachusetts and it was an amazing experience.
I was born in a small town in India and moved to the United States in 2015. In my time here, I have graduated from Northeastern University and have had many new experiences and learned about my career and life in America. And I’m finally working happily in CALCAS!! 🙂
If you want to learn more about Devang or are interested in a career at California Casualty, connect with him on LinkedIn! Or visit our careers page at https://www.calcas.com/careers
We have amazing employees at California Casualty. The Employee Spotlight is a new series aiming to highlight those talented individuals that make up our successful company culture and community. From human resource recruiters and learning and development trainers to claims adjusters, marketers, customer support specialists, partner relations, sales representatives, and beyond; each week, we’ll highlight a new team member, so you can get to know us better and see how our employees make us who we are as a company.
This edition of the Employee Spotlight will feature our Social Media Marketing Coordinator, Chloe Biancarelli
Chloe has almost been with us for a year and a half and is based in our Kansas office.
Let’s get to know Chloe!
What made you want to work in Social Media at California Casualty?
Well, when I first started at California Casualty I had taken a job as an Administrative Assistant for our Service Department.
I had big plans to work a more low-key job while I got my Masters in Marketing, and then I discovered that there was a Marketing position open here, and I had some experience, so I interviewed for it and the rest is history. Now, I’ve fallen in love with my job and I cannot imagine myself anywhere else.
What is your favorite part about your job?
There are so many things that I love about my job. Our audience, the creative freedom, my work family, all of it!
There is no better feeling than giving back to the heroes in our community, my mom is a dispatcher, so I grew up always being around first responders and going to the sheriff’s office (I still do). AND my aunt and my brother’s girlfriend are also both Teachers. Any profession that puts someone else before themselves, will always have my gratitude and respect. I feel so good knowing that we are putting these heroes, and their needs, first here at CalCas – as they do for others.
Another reason I love my job is the complexity I have as a marketer. Social Media Marketing is often confused with just posting on Facebook and Instagram, but it’s SO much more. Aside from normal social duties, we run mini-campaigns, research and write blogs, communicate with our insured, partner with groups and individuals, strategize creative brand initiatives, sponsor events, design graphics, do video and editing, run our HR Linkedin account, and so much more. Every day is different, and because social is ever-changing, our calendar could literally change at the flip of a switch and you just have to roll with the punches. I love it!
And lastly my work family. We have our own little group of “creative weirdos” in the marketing department here at California Casualty. They make, even the most stressful day, enjoyable. AND we all are absolutely obsessed with our dogs – dog people are the best kind of people.
What have you learned in your position at California Casualty?
When you work in marketing, you know that strategies that you use for one audience or situation, may not work for another. As you get to know your audience and find your voice, you really learn what works and what doesn’t. I have learned SO much from our audience and from my manager – I continue to learn, in my position, every single day.
What are your favorite activities to do outside of the office?
I love spending time with my friends and family and snuggling with my fur-baby Maverick, my 2 and a half-year-old border collie mix.
A few of my other hobbies include shopping, going to thrift stores, watching Netflix, being outdoors, listening to music/podcasts, going to concerts, reading, traveling, going to the gym, and eating french fries and nachos (its called balance).
Anything else you would like the audience to know about you?
I’m from Southeast Kansas, and I went to college at Pittsburg State University (Gooooo Rillas!).
I’m engaged and getting married in November! My fiance surprised me by proposing in Seattle last fall in front of the Space Needle AND hired a photographer to capture the whole thing.
I LOVE Christmas and I’ve been to Rockefeller Center at Christmas time – it was amazing.
I can make a dolphin mating call noise…
I love listening to alternative, pop-punk, and rock. (I even got my nose pierced when I was 18 because my favorite bassist had his pierced) I’ve probably seen over 200 bands live, so far.
I will dance terribly to any song that is playing 100% of the time.
If you want to learn more about Chloe or are interested in a career at California Casualty, connect with her on LinkedIn! Or visit our careers page at https://www.calcas.com/careers
We have amazing employees at California Casualty. The Employee Spotlight is a new series aiming to highlight those talented individuals that make up our successful company culture and community. From human resource recruiters and learning and development trainers to claims adjusters, marketers, customer support specialists, partner relations, sales representatives, and beyond; each week, we’ll highlight a new team member, so you can get to know us better and see how our employees make us who we are as a company.
This edition of the Employee Spotlight will feature our Accountant II, Lisa Hansen.
Lisa has been with us for 15 and a half years and is based in our Colorado office.
Let’s get to know Lisa!
What made you want to work as an Accountant at California Casualty?
I began working at California Casualty as a temp in Corporate Services. As I learned and progressed through the levels in that department, I trained in Purchasing and began to work closely with the Finance Department.
I like detail-oriented work, and Finance seemed like a good fit, as well as a place to learn and grow. And over the past 11 years in Finance, I have found this to be true.
What is your favorite part about your job?
I enjoy what I do, but it’s the people I get to work with that make it a joy to go into work every day. Not only the direct employees I work with side by side in my department, but the relationships I’ve built with people in other areas of the company such as Claims and IT. I love the people I get to work with, and that makes all the difference. There are four of us in CSC Finance, and we’ve been together for more than 9 years now. They make everyday fun.
I feel like California Casualty as a company really cares about their employees, and in turn, the employees care for each other. They have been there for me through the ups and downs of life over the past 15 years. My boss and co-workers feel like family at this point. We laugh a lot and tease each other endlessly, but we all step up and support each other if anyone needs help.
What have you learned in your position at California Casualty?
I came to California Casualty from the service industry, so I have learned so much about business and different computer programs, but everything comes back to service. I think my job is a little unique in that my customers are other employees, so the better I can serve them, the better they can serve their customers.
What are your favorite activities to do outside of the office?
I love to go hiking, either with my husband or my kids. We’re so fortunate living in Colorado Springs to have so many beautiful parks and trails so nearby to explore.
I also love traveling, attending concerts, and thrill rides of all kinds!
Anything else you would like the audience to know about you?
I was born and raised on a farm in Nebraska, but have lived in Colorado as long as I have my home state, so both places feel like home to me.
I have three kids ages 6, 8, and 10 that keep me very busy!
And I’m also a newlywed! My husband Carl and I just got married on 2/22/2020.
If you want to learn more about Lisa or are interested in a career at California Casualty, connect with her on LinkedIn! Or visit our careers page at https://www.calcas.com/careers
We have amazing employees at California Casualty. The Employee Spotlight is a new series aiming to highlight those talented individuals that make up our successful company culture and community. From human resource recruiters and learning and development trainers to claims adjusters, marketers, customer support specialists, partner relations, sales representatives, and beyond; each week, we’ll highlight a new team member, so you can get to know us better and see how our employees make us who we are as a company.
This edition of the Employee Spotlight will feature our Senior Knowledge Management Specialist, Shannon Schumm
Shannon has been with us for 16 years and is based in our Colorado office.
Let’s get to know Shannon!
What made you want to work in Learning and Development at California Casualty?
Originally, I had a friend (that I had worked with at a previous job), who worked for CalCas about 5 years before I was hired. She said that California Casualty was a family business and a fantastic place to work. Once I got hired, I learned more about the company, its member groups, and dedication to our local community servants.
I am proud of what CalCas stands for. I am married to a police officer and knowing that there are companies out there that support our LOCAL heroes (teachers, firemen, police officers, and nurses) gives me a huge sense of pride. So many businesses recognize and honor our military heroes, but often forget about our local heroes that serve our communities. California Casualty often goes above and beyond to offer specific and tailored benefits for our customers.
I am also from Southern California so I thought it was ironic to work for a company with my home state in the title from Colorado.
What is your favorite part about your job?
I truly love my coworkers. I am part of a small but mighty team. Each of us brings something different and unique to the table.
By celebrating our team’s differences, we are able to come to amazing solutions for the greater good of our users. We are passionate about providing the right solution to our end users. We push each other to grow, learn, and strive to bring out each other’s very best.
I love knowing that I am able to help ease the complexity of knowledge our employees have. We have one source of truth for our employees to rely on to look up job-related guidelines and procedures. I work with our internal groups to ensure the helps system is up to date and accurate. Having accurate documentation helps create trust within our organization, trust within our documentation, and that trust flows through our employees to our customers.
I also love the friendships that are created at work and then transcend to lifelong friendships. I am honored to work with so many amazing humans, and even more proud to call them friends too!
What have you learned in your position at California Casualty?
Where to begin? I have learned far more than I ever expected; from getting licensed in 44 states as a Claims Adjuster to learning DITA to manage our internal content. I was originally hired as a Claims Adjuster and later transferred to the Knowledge Management Team.
Our KM Team manages the cCMS and we are basically like tech writers, authors, editors, SME’s (all in one) for an insurance company. I have provided narration for internal training courses, trained new employees on our help system, learned our admin side for our cCMS, and am the administrator for one of our training tools that allows content development and offers multiple outputs (simulations, documents, etc.).
Every day provides a new opportunity to learn and grow which our company strongly supports.
What are your favorite activities to do outside of the office?
I teach yoga and yoga sculpt locally. I am pretty involved in the studio’s yoga community. I have participated in leading BootCamps and Teacher Training for the past few years.
Our family loves to go camping and fishing as often as my son’s club baseball allows.
I love new adventures, with that in mind, I just got a new mountain bike which should be super entertaining……and will probably get to know the local ER’s well.
Anything else you would like the audience to know about you?
I am ringmaster of my family circus!! I have 1 daughter who just turned 20, a 14-year-old son, (who eats breaths and lives for baseball) and a stepson and his beautiful wife 2 grandbabies! Of all of that only 1 is still living at home.
We have 3 dogs –my husband is K-9 handler, so we have the police bomb dog Max the German Shepherd, and family dogs Sitka (german shepherd) and Echo (Dutch Shepherd/Malinois). Needless to say, no outfit is complete without dog hair.
I love dad jokes, puns, and anyone who is quick-witted and likes to laugh. As Calvin Turner has told me I am fun, and fun at parties!
If you want to learn more about Shannon or are interested in a career at California Casualty, connect with her on LinkedIn! Or visit our careers page at https://www.calcas.com/careers
We have amazing employees at California Casualty. The Employee Spotlight is a new series aiming to highlight those talented individuals that make up our successful company culture and community. From human resource recruiters and learning and development trainers to claims adjusters, marketers, customer support specialists, partner relations, sales representatives, and beyond; each week, we’ll highlight a new team member, so you can get to know us better and see how our employees make us who we are as a company.
This edition of the Employee Spotlight will feature our Underwriting Service Representative, Robin Chavez
Robin has been with us since the summer of 2017 and is based in our Colorado office.
Let’s get to know Robin!
What made you want to work in Underwriting at California Casualty?
I really enjoy serving those in our community that serve the public, and that’s what drew me to begin my career with California Casualty.
Shortly after I started in insurance, I knew that I wanted to move into underwriting. When I saw that a position in underwriting became available at California Casualty, I jumped at the chance to join the team!
What is your favorite part about your job?
I enjoy critical thinking and variety.
Working as an Underwriter gives me the ability to use my mind daily and apply my decision-making abilities to diverse workgroups.
I love my job. I have been given clear goals and expectations to be successful in my position. I have been empowered to take charge of my own professional development and have had management support with my development plan.
What have you learned in your position at California Casualty?
Throughout my career at California Casualty, I have learned so much; everything from risk management, professional written and verbal communication skills, multi-tasking proficiency, to individual accountability, and even company collaboration.
What are your favorite activities to do outside of the office?
I am very family-oriented and spend most of my time with my husband and children.
We love to be outdoors; hiking, camping, and bike riding. However, we also like our down-time to relax and watch movies together.
Anything else you would like the audience to know about you?
I spent my high school years living in Germany and have been fortunate enough to do quite a bit of traveling around America, Europe, and Africa.
My husband is a Firefighter and was one of the first responders involved in both the Waldo Canyon and Black Forest fires here in Colorado.
I am a huge Harry Potter fan and cannot wait until I get to take my kids to Potter World in the future!
If you want to learn more about Robin or are interested in a career at California Casualty, connect with her on LinkedIn! Or visit our careers page at https://www.calcas.com/careers
