Employee Spotlight: Emmett Hughes

by California Casualty | News | 0 comments

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 Personal Insurance Consultant, Emmett Hughes.

Emmett has been with us for six and a half years and is based in our Kansas office.

Let’s get to learn Emmett!

What made you want to work as an Insurance Consultant at California Casualty?

I was exhausted from working in the HVAC industry, so I thought I would try my hand in the insurance business here at CalCas.

What is your favorite part about your job?

I have awesome co-workers and management!

I also like that I get to do the majority of my work remotely from home with my family.

I get to work with some very creative and helpful people. The work environment is extremely welcoming- even if I’m having a bad day my job still rocks!

What have you learned in your position at California Casualty?

I have learned the true reality of the sacrifices that public safety employees and educators/support staff make for their communities. Most of the time it’s a thankless job, but I get the opportunity to express our gratitude.

What are your favorite activities to do outside of the office?

Going on family bike rides and walks with our two dogs.

Spending quality time with my 5 and 9-year-old children.

Exploring interesting things to do in our local community.

Anything else you would like the audience to know about you?

I once met the Nature Boy, Rick Flair, in Tulsa, OK and got his autograph! WOOOOO! (only real fans know)

I’m extremely interested in anthropology and am fascinated by the idea of human origins.

I enjoy watching UFC.

I’m Midwest, born and raised, but I cannot stand to listen to Country music. I ’m a fan of ’80s, ’90s, and 2000’s Rock and Alternative.

I would love to visit Stonehenge, The Pyramids, and Machu Picchu

If you want to learn more about Emmett 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

Employee Spotlight: Nathaniel Smith

by California Casualty | News | 0 comments

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 Sales Representative, Nathaniel Smith

Kevin is a newer employee at CalCas, he’s been with us for a year and is based in our Colorado office.

Let’s get to learn Nathaniel!

What made you want to work as a Sales Representative at California Casualty?

I was looking for a job that would utilize my sales experience, but also have a welcoming, open culture. My parents, who are teachers and members of California Casualty, recommended I look into CalCas.

What is your favorite part about your job?

The people! Whether they are customers or employees, the people of California Casualty are friendly, open, and fun.

I really love working with my team and fellow Cal Cas employees. The management is very encouraging and development focused. My fellow team members are also very willing to help each other succeed, and encourage each other to do their best. There is also a sense of friendly competition, though most just focus on being the best form of themselves.

What have you learned in your position at California Casualty?

I have learned a great deal about the other side of insurance and how it’s ran as a business.

What are your favorite activities to do outside of the office?

My hobbies include playing video games with my friends online, hanging out with my two daughters, and creating fun costumes of my favorite fictional characters to wear to conventions like ComiCon.

I also enjoy camping and being outside with my dog, family, and friends.

Anything else you would like the audience to know about you?

I am a single father of two amazing little girls.

I am trying to go back to school to finish my degree in Business.

I design and make costumes and costume accessories/props for others and hope to build it into a side business one day.

I own a 3D Printer and enjoy making fun things with it.

If you want to learn more about Nathaniel 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

Employee Spotlight: Tanner Pfeifer

by California Casualty | News | 0 comments

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 Representative, Tanner Pfeifer

Tanner has been with us for 2 years and is based in our Colorado office.

Let’s get to learn Tanner!

What made you want to work as a Sales Representative at California Casualty?

I love marketing and sales and more importantly – helping people.

We help community servants on a daily basis and knowing at the end of the day that we are helping individuals who put community before themselves is very rewarding.

What is your favorite part about your job?

The people! You are anything but a number at California Casualty.

I have developed many tremendous relationships with CSC employees. The people here are inspirational, caring, and most importantly genuine. In addition, the group members we talk to on a daily basis are tremendous. Knowing that we can truly make a positive impact on their lives with our program is very rewarding.

Working at California Casualty has helped me develop my professional career at an exponential level all while working with some of the best people I know.

What have you learned in your position at California Casualty?

I have learned so much about the world of finance and risk management throughout my career at California Casualty. Coming out of college with a marketing degree I had very little experience in the world of insurance. With the help of some tremendous leaders and teachers, I’ve learned more about the insurance world than I thought was ever possible.

Since obtaining this knowledge, I have continued to build upon this base in areas that have both improved my professional career as well as my own financial and risk management decisions at home.

What are your favorite activities to do outside of the office?

I love anything that puts me outside! Skiing, camping, hiking, golfing, you name it. Living in the great state of Colorado affords me the ability to dive deep into these activities I love.

In addition, you can’t beat a yoga class with everyone’s favorite HR guy – Cal Turner.

Anything else you would like the audience to know about you?

I graduated from Kansas State University in 2018 where I founding father of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity.

My wonderful wife and I are building a home in Colorado Springs and just decided to adopt a Lab/Catahoula Leopard puppy.

I am a podcast junkie.

I would like to someday give back to the community by offering free personal finance tutoring to college students and recent college grads.

If you want to learn more about Tanner 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

Employee Spotlight: Melinda Patton

by California Casualty | News | 0 comments

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 Learning Instructor & Designer, Melinda Patton

Melinda, who is sporting her new CalCas mask below, has been with us for 23 years!! She is based in our Colorado office.

Let’s get to learn Melinda!

What made you want to work as a Learning Instructor at California Casualty?

When I was searching for a career, California Casualty was new to Colorado and offered many great job opportunities. I also really liked the idea of working for a family-owned company and not some giant corporation, so I was drawn to apply 23 years ago and here I am!

What is your favorite part about your job?

My favorite part about my job is working with the new employees and helping them learn all about the company and the jobs they will perform.  The best part is watching them grow and become successful in their career with CalCas.

At California Casualty there is a strong sense of collaboration – we all share the same vision and are dedicated to the mission. I like to brainstorm and think outside the box – the company encourages employees to have an outward mindset. My job can be very challenging at times, but it pushes me and my senses to full potential. I have a great sense of pride working for this family-owned company that protects our AmeriCAN Heroes.

What have you learned in your position at California Casualty?

SO MUCH!

This company has graciously offered me the opportunity to move through various departments and increase my knowledge of the insurance industry.

In my 23 years, I have worked the following positions:

• • 2 years as a Senior Underwriter
  • 2 years as a Claims Adjuster
  • 7 years in Partner Relations (2 years in CA and 5 years in CO)
  • Almost 12 years in Learning & Development

What are your favorite activities to do outside of the office?

I love to travel – to date, I have been to 5 of the 7 continents.

I also love skiing, aside from locally, I meet up with friends from California at least once a year for a six-day ski trip – we have skied in CO many times, but also Canada, Nevada, Utah, and Montana. I even taught my 10-year-old niece, Stazja, how to ski this spring at a ski resort in New Mexico called “Ski Apache”.

My favorite summertime activities are golfing and hiking.

Anything else you would like the audience to know about you?

I love analyzing property contracts and endorsements.

My favorite trip has been an African photo safari.

My shortest job: one day at Taco Bell. (I quickly realized the fast food industry was not for me!)

If you want to learn more about Melinda 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