This afternoon Arlene Brown, California Casualty RUS Analyst, reaches a milestone in her career, that few ever see in their lifetime, as she celebrates her 50th anniversary as a full-time employee.
In recognition of this incredible achievement, Joe Volponi, President and CEO of California Casualty, honored Arlene in an email sent to all CalCas employees telling Arlene’s career story and highlighting the significant impact she has made at CalCas within her 50 years. Read an excerpt below.
“It is not often in this company (maybe never) that an employee reaches 50 years of service as a full-time employee. Arlene Brown will reach that incredible milestone and a well-deserved retirement on September 8th.
She started as a Coder, working with Assigned Risk paper files. She quickly progressed to become the Auto Coding Assistant Supervisor in charge of Assigned Risk and was given the nickname “Queen of Assigned Risk.” She worked with both agents, and customers, often remembering their names and policy numbers from year to year! Those were the days when every detail had to be transferred to a grid, which a keypunch operator entered. Rating was done by hand and with a 10 key calculator spitting out the answers on paper tape. Her other daily tool was a pro-rata wheel, a few relics of which still survive today, although they remain a mystery to those familiar with more modern devices.
Arlene’s reputation for accuracy followed her throughout her career. She was a strong underwriter who was frequently overheard teaching sales reps how to find the answer to their question in the underwriting manual (a large binder with hundreds of pages). Online reference tools didn’t exist back then, so it was a manual process. She didn’t just want to give an answer, but rather help them understand where to find the answer for next time.
Similar to the Guidewire conversion we are going through today, the company as gone through several system conversions in the span of 50 years. One such conversion to the Policy Management System (PMS), as part of that effort, she ultimately wrote much of the PMS manual that defined each field of entry into PMS. The effort of proofreading draft procedures for accuracy and consistency became known as “Arlene-a-sizing”.
Arlene was a founding member of the QAD team, a group formed to improve quality assurance of PMS (Series 2) entries. As things evolved, she was a natural to become part of the RUS team, when it was formed to oversee the automation of rating, underwriting, and system processing. She became an expert in writing QMF queries, and could apply them against different generations of the system since she was one of the few that had worked in all the different systems!
Aside from all her accomplishments on the insurance side of the business, she was a tireless worker on the In-Club committees that coordinated many employee events over the years. In addition to coordinating the details for these events, she put together photo albums to commemorate them.
Arlene considered California Casualty her family, and did everything in her power to bring success. In her half-century here, she’s touched many people in a variety of ways. People like her have made this company successful.”
Arlene’s successful career is full of many achievements, but one of her favorite memories in her time with CalCas is winning the well-deserved Carl G. Brown, Jr. Award of Excellence, which is an employee-nominated award given annually to an employee whose sustained excellent contribution to the company is matched by a substantial contribution to his or her community.
When asked what the secret is to her 50-year career, she says, “It’s true what ‘they’ say about loving what you do – the time just flies. When you love your job it leads to honing your skills, seeing opportunities to improve things (processes), and finding the needles in haystacks to resolve system/policy problems. That being said, I couldn’t do the job I’ve done without the support of my work family.”
And we couldn’t do it without you, Arlene. Congratulations, and thank you for all you have done for California Casualty. You have helped turn us into the company we are today. Your presence in the office will be missed each and every day. Have a great retirement!
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 Email Marketing Specialist, Torrie Willett
Torrie has been with us for two years and is based in our Kansas Office.
Let’s get to know Torrie!
What made you want to work in Internet Marketing at California Casualty?
I wanted to manage all aspects of email marketing and this cool girl named Demian (who is now my work best friend) made such a good impression on me in the interview, I knew I would fit right in in the Internet Marketing department!
What is your favorite part about your job?
I’m very passionate about email marketing, especially to our niche audiences here at CalCas. In my position, I get to be the lead for all email efforts and challenge myself with every new campaign.
A few added bonuses include my awesome co-workers in our Internet Marketing Department and our tradition of getting Greek food every Thursday.
What have you learned in your position at California Casualty?
Teamwork really does make the dream work and there is always knowledge to gain.
Also, salt n vinegar almonds are the best flavor – we like to snack…..a lot.
What are your favorite activities to do outside of the office?
Try new restaurants with my hubby
Snuggle with my pooch
Go to brunch with my girlfriends
And enjoy lots of red wine underneath the pergola on my patio!
Anything else you would like the audience to know about you?
I have a yellow lab named Harley Jane…I love red wine…I am a foodie…I love to cook…I am tiny and my work friends (Matt) never let me forget it.
If you want to learn more about Torrie 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 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
This afternoon Arlene Brown, California Casualty RUS Analyst, reaches a milestone in her career, that few ever see in their lifetime, as she celebrates her 50th anniversary as a full-time employee.
