The table below lists the educational courses that will be presented at this years convention.
Included in the table is a brief bio of the course instructors.
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Educational Session 1 - Monday, January 19,2009
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8:00 am - 12:00 pm
FAIR & EQUITABLE ESTIMATES
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Instructor - Russ Jackson
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This course is designed to reinforce adjusting techniques.
Instruction includes helpful tips for dealing with the insured
and client company, public adjusters and lawyers and determining
accurate roof measurements manually. Course will include
in-class practical exercises. The course will reinforce techniques
that will help the adjuster develop a fair and equitable estimate
in a timely manner. This course has been approved for the following
state CEU’s: NC (Provider is National Association of Catastrophe
Adjusters, Inc., Provider #S16073, 4 general credits and has a course
rating of “A”), TX-4 and OK-4. Note: If you attended this class in
January 2008, you will not be eligible to receive any CEU’s approved
for this class.
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Russ Jackson is Director of the Amcat National Training Center and holds
a Masters of Public Administration degree, a Bachelors of Science degree,
and is a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College. He has
over 30 years experience in senior management, training and adult education
both in the military and business. His responsibilities have included
managing insurance programs, DOT and OSHA compliance for national fleet and
manufacturing operations and overseeing workers compensation administration
in nine states. As an independent adjuster, he has handled both residential
and commercial claims as well as managed small and large catastrophe storm offices.
Russ is a member of the National Association of Catastrophe Adjusters, Inc.
(NACA), an associate member of PLRB/LIRB, Texas Claims Association and the
National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters (NAIIA)
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1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
CAUSE AND ORIGIN
OLD CONSTRUCTION VS NEW CONSTRUCTION
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Instructor - Ralph E. Moon, Ph.D
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This presentation will explore water damage claims associated with new homes
as compared to older (Pre 1980) home construction. The objective is to acquaint
the adjuster with the evolution of home construction as relates to moisture
control strategies and why some kinds of water-related damage are consistent
with the age of the home. The presentation will discuss types of water damage
that result from remodeling efforts, construction trade practices and interior
design. This course has been approved for the following state CEU’s: FL-2 and NC
(Provider is Rare Earth Sciences DBA HSA Engineers & Scientists, Provider # S16100, 2 general credits).
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Ralph E. Moon, Ph.D., is a shareholder in HSA and offers 19 years of consulting
experience in the areas of risk assessment, project management, and industrial
hygiene. Dr. Moon was awarded a Bachelor’s of Science degree at Western Michigan
University, a Master’s of Science degree in Botany, and his Ph.D. in Biology from
the University of South Florida. After graduation, Moon was awarded a post-doctoral
fellowship in the Department of Chemistry at USF and later served as Industrial
Hygienist with the Jim Walter Corporation, District Hydrologist for the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection, and provided ten years of service with a
national environmental consulting firm. He has also served as a Clinical Professor
in the School of Public Health while instructing a course on environmental regulations.
Moon joined HSA in 1994 and serves as Director of Environmental Services. He has
published more than 60 technical articles and speaks professionally for the American
Industries Group (AIG). He is co-author of the GIBBYMOON Report, a quarterly newsletter
that summarizes legal actions against engineers and environmental consultants. Moon serves
on the MacDill Air Force Base Restoration Advisory Board, the City of Tampa’s Chamber of
Commerce Military Affairs Committee, the USF Institute for Environmental Studies Board of
Directors, and the St. Petersburg Catholic Diocese Real Estate Advisory Board.
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3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
PIPE CORROSION AND LEAKS
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Instructor - Ralph E. Moon, Ph.D
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Expedited construction, varying degrees of workmanship and different kinds of plumbing materials
have contributed to pipe failure and leaks. This presentation examines the causes of pipe
failure and identifies the common elements of failure in copper, galvanized steel, pvc and
polybutylene pipe. Insurance adjusters will understand that occurrences of pipe failure
represent careful consideration of the loss for subrogation opportunities. This course has
been approved for the following state CEU’s: FL-1 and NC
(Provider is Rare Earth Sciences DBA HSA Engineers & Scientists, Provider # S16100, 1 general credit).
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Ralph E. Moon, Ph.D., is a shareholder in HSA and offers 19 years of consulting
experience in the areas of risk assessment, project management, and industrial
hygiene. Dr. Moon was awarded a Bachelor’s of Science degree at Western Michigan
University, a Master’s of Science degree in Botany, and his Ph.D. in Biology from
the University of South Florida. After graduation, Moon was awarded a post-doctoral
fellowship in the Department of Chemistry at USF and later served as Industrial
Hygienist with the Jim Walter Corporation, District Hydrologist for the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection, and provided ten years of service with a
national environmental consulting firm. He has also served as a Clinical Professor
in the School of Public Health while instructing a course on environmental regulations.
Moon joined HSA in 1994 and serves as Director of Environmental Services. He has
published more than 60 technical articles and speaks professionally for the American
Industries Group (AIG). He is co-author of the GIBBYMOON Report, a quarterly newsletter
that summarizes legal actions against engineers and environmental consultants. Moon serves
on the MacDill Air Force Base Restoration Advisory Board, the City of Tampa’s Chamber of
Commerce Military Affairs Committee, the USF Institute for Environmental Studies Board of
Directors, and the St. Petersburg Catholic Diocese Real Estate Advisory Board.
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Educational Session 2 - Tuesday, January 20, 2009
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8:00 am - 5:00 pm
NFIP
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Instructor - To be anounced
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This PowerPoint presentation will cover the National Flood Insurance Program
organizational structure, adjuster responsibility, basic adjustment issues,
adjuster certification, dwelling policy, pre-firm buildings, post-firm buildings,
increased cost of compliance, mitigation measures, and eligibility for ICC claim
payment. Those who attend the full course will be in the position of qualifying
for NFIP certification. Full time property loss adjusting experience is required.
Complete certification requirements may be found at
www.fema.gov/business/nfip/participation.shtm.
This course has been approved for
the following state CEU’s: TX-7, FL-8, OK-6 and NC-6.
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8:00 am - 12:00 noon
IntegriClaim
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Instructor - Shorty Fuessel
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Attendees will be polled upon arrival to create a quick list of desired topics.
We’ll run through one claim for the benefit of the newer users and then proceed to
Tips and Tricks. A list of possible topics/features include: the use of advanced
macros and report packages; electronic transfer of claims; setting up and using a
scanner / digital camera; importing / exporting system data; working with databases
including database backup, adding and editing a new database, working with multiple
databases; working with cost databases including adding/editing materials, operations
and prices, working with trades and trade groups; utilities including backup and restore
from backup; using of Mapping software; use of the diary tool; use of the contacts/activities
tool including auto-scheduler; use of loss/assign information including prior loss info,
prior payments and reserves; captioned reports – creating, editing, regenerating; and
introduction/description of IntegriClaim Administrator™. This is an interactive computer
class with " hands on " use of the program. Users are encouraged to bring their laptop and
be ready for action! Note: First time users will be provided the program and 15 days free use.
Attendees who need to have the program loaded and/or activated are requested to arrive an hour early.
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Shorty Fuessel has served as MSB Field Service Account Manager and as MSB Training Manager.
Shorty has more than 30 years of training experience and has trained hundreds of IntegriClaim
classes all over the country.
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1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
PowerClaim
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Instructor — Kyser Lough
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Come learn PowerClaim XML in a live classroom setting. Spend time learning
the ins and outs of the software, with ample time for questions. PowerClaim
Replacement Cost Calculator, a valuation tool, will be covered as well.
Participants must bring their own computer and have PowerClaim XML installed
and authorized prior to the class. Free trials of PowerClaim XML are available,
call for details. The class will go over not only the basics of workflow in
PowerClaim XML, but will delve deep into additional topics, such as diagrams,
invoicing, photos and many other time-savers.
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Kyser Lough is currently the Sales Director at Hawkins Research, Inc. and has
been with HRI for over 3 years. Kyser has taught many PowerClaim classes, both
live and on-line, to companies and individuals around the U.S. He says training
users in PowerClaim is one of the easiest jobs because it is so simple to learn,
and enjoys getting out and meeting new faces in training
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Educational Session 3 - Wednesday January
21, 2009 |
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8:00 am - 12:00 noon
Ethical Estimates
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Instructor - Russ Jackson
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Designed to meet the needs of state licensing requirements for ethics.
The course will discuss state statutes and how these statutes influence
insurance companies and impact adjusters. In addition, the course will
include open discussion time for attendees to discuss real world ethical
issues and possible solutions.
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Russ Jackson is Director of the Amcat National Training Center and holds
a Masters of Public Administration degree, a Bachelors of Science degree,
and is a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College.
He has over 30 years experience in senior management, training and adult
education both in the military and business. His responsibilities have
included managing insurance programs, DOT and OSHA compliance for national
fleet and manufacturing operations and overseeing workers compensation
administration in nine states. As an independent adjuster, he has handled
both residential and commercial claims as well as managed small and large
catastrophe storm offices. Russ is a member of the National Association of
Catastrophe Adjusters, Inc. (NACA), an associate member of PLRB/LIRB, Texas
Claims Association and the National Association of Independent Insurance
Adjusters (NAIIA)
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8:00 am - 12:00 noon
Successful Mitigation of Category 3 Black Water
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Instructor - Bruce Vogt
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Successful Mitigation of Category 3 Black Water provides an overview of the dynamics of
Category 3 Black Water damage and the related claims processing customer service issues
involved. The continuing damaging effects of Category 3 Black Water when not mitigated
quickly will be discussed. Methods required to reduce claim loss settlement costs will
also be discussed. After the course, the licensee should be able to describe the effects
of Category 3 Black damage to structures and understand the health, safety, and hazard
issues involved relevant to the policyholder, building occupants, insurance personnel,
and mitigation/remediation technicians. After the course, the licensee should be able
to explain the necessity and protocol for thorough mitigation and remediation processes
to return the structure and contents (when possible) back to pre-loss condition. As a
result of the information learned in this course, the licensee should be able to improve
his/her communication with the policyholder and contractor regarding Category 3 Black
Water mitigation and remediation methods and procedures. This should result in improved
customer service and reduced claim loss settlement costs. This course is approved for 4
CEU’s in the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, MD, MI,
MN, MS, MO, MT, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WY.
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Bruce Vogt, Business Development & Marketing Group Director for Rainbow International.
Bruce is an accomplished speaker, instructor, author, and communicator. He is recognized
as a leading authority on humidity problems, solutions, water damage, and mold. Bruce has
over 15 years of experience consulting with ASHRAE engineers, design spec engineers, plant
managers, facility managers, manufacturing facilities, hotels, motels, universities,
United States military, and water and fire damage restoration contractors. Bruce has designed
humidity control systems for plants, factories, pre-positioned and deactivated military equipment
here and abroad. He has designed humidity control systems to protect museum artifacts and
antiques for the Smithsonian Institute and other museums around the country. Bruce has also
been training fire and smoke restoration contractors, insurance agents, and adjusters on the best
practices for fire and smoke remediation for eight years. Bruce is IICRC certified in the
following areas: Water Damage Restoration, Fire and Smoke Restoration, Odor Control and Carpet
Cleaning, Applied Microbial Remediation. Bruce was a contributor to the first ever published
Standards and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration S500-94. Bruce
understands the serious effects of moisture intrusion into the indoor environment.
He understands the deleterious effects of water, fire, and smoke damage on the structure,
contents, and the potential for serious health consequences to the occupants exposed to these
conditions.
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Educational Session 4 - Thursday January 22, 2009 |
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8:00 am - 5:00 pm
CA Earthquake Adjuster Accreditation
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Instructor - John Osteraas
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When, not if, the big earthquake occurs, insurance companies will be looking for trained earthquake adjusters.
This course will teach the student earthquake coverage, what earthquake damage looks like, the resources an
earthquake adjuster needs to use, and how to efficiently and confidently handle an earthquake claim.
The objective of this course is to train a property adjuster how to handle an earthquake claim anywhere in
the country. Attendees will receive a certificate of California Earthquake Accreditation. This course has
been approved for the following state CEU’s: NC (Provider is National Association of Catastrophe Adjusters,
Inc., Provider #S16073, 6 general credits and has a course rating of “A”); OK–8 and TX-8.
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John Osteraas is a Group Vice President and Principal Engineer at Exponent Failure Analysis Associates, a
nationwide engineering and scientific consulting firm specializing in the investigation, analysis, and prevention
of failure in engineered structures and systems. For over 25 he has been involved in the investigation of
engineering failures, specializing in investigation and analysis of buildings damaged by extreme forces, with
emphasis on earthquake damage. Drawing upon his experiences following the 1989 Loma Pireta Earthquake and the
1994 Northridge Earthquake, Dr. Osteraas managed the Assessment and Repair of Earthquake Damage in Woodframe
Construction project for the Consortium of Universities for Research in Earthquake Engineering, with major funding
provided by the California Earthquake Authority. That project conducted applied research and developed the General
Guidelines for the Assessment and Repair of Earthquake Damage in Residential Woodframe Buildings to assist engineers,
property owners, contractors, and insurance claims representatives with the evaluation and repair of earthquake
damage in typical residential woodframe construction. Dr. Osteraas earned his PhD and MS Degrees in Civil
Engineering from Stanford University and his BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. He is
Professional Engineer licensed in 10 states, is a Fellow in the American Society of Civil Engineers, and a member
of the Structural Engineers Association of California, and the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute. He also
serves as a Structures Specialist in FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue Program and was deployed to the Oklahoma City
Murrah Building Bombing in 1995 and to the World Trade Center Attack in 2001, and New Orleans in 2005. He has
authored numerous professional papers and lectured at Stanford, Caltech, U.C. Los Angeles, and U.C. Berkeley.
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8:00 am - 12:00 noon
Xactimate 25 In Depth Overview
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Instructor - Bill Loveland
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This class will cover Xactimate version 25 including the basics of estimating,
using adjuster related forms and capabilities and the new features in Xactimate
version 25. Because the instructor will be giving an overview of the product,
it is not necessary to bring a computer to this class.
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Bill Loveland is the Events Manager for Xactware Solutions, Inc. (Xactware) of Orem Utah.
Xactware's products include the Xactimate estimating system, XactContents contents
estimating software, and 360Value, an insurance-to-value calculator. Bill has extensive
experience in insurance repair. For many years he worked in the restoration business,
estimating, supervising, and working on losses which ranged from small residential to large
commercial. As a contractor, he was a highly regarded consultant, working on behalf of
carriers as an arbitrator and expert witness. Bill has worked multiple hurricanes and other
catastrophes and is familiar with the demands of catastrophe adjusting. Throughout his career
at Xactware, Bill has been involved in training adjusters and service providers on the
Xactimate estimating software as well other Xactware products. Bill's unique experience
estimating throughout the United States, Canada, and internationally make him a highly sought
after trainer and expert on insurance repair issues.
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1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Simsol Tips & Tricks
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Instructor - Dan Sutliff
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Simsol Tips & Tricks is an illustration of new features using the Simsol for Adjusters 3.0 SP3e and
includes time saving tips, such as Labor Adjustment Factor, which adjust price to a particular trade
and sub-trade giving you more control over pricing in your estimate; A comprehensive claim audit
function which the program searches your estimate looking and identifying missing areas, quantities
and prices; The copying of one area located in current estimate to a different claim, using copying
and paste estimate feature; Creating Custom Macros to speed up scoping tasks; Discussing how to
create a large apartment estimate with minimal effort and time using “Copy, Clone & Group” functions;
New photo interface including annotations to be inserted in photos; Creating and Saving CAD Diagrams;
New Custom Forms and Reports; and Printing and creating PDF estimates for emailing.
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Danny A. Sutliff has more than 14 years experience as director of training for Simsol Software.
Mr. Sutliff is also a licensed Florida Adjuster (N.F.I.P. and Earthquake certified). Danny has been
in the computer estimating field since 1986 working for Lee Saylor, Inc. located Beverly Hills, CA.
until being hired by Simsol. Mr. Sutliff brings to the class a unique combination of adjusting real
world experience and computer estimating skills. Please stop by the Simsol Booth and say hello.
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