Transportation Security Verification Specialist

Dana M Laster

**** ******** **** *****, ******* AL 35907

Mobile Ph. 540-***-****

adun6y@r.postjobfree.com,

www.linkedin.com/in/dana-jones-baa21b49

Introduction

Self-directed and independent thinker with over 20 years in the professional workforce. Persuasive with respect, integrity, and honesty. Accountable and punctual team player. Highly trainable and can adapt to any environment.

Key Areas of Expertise

• Microsoft Office, DOS, Outlook / Lotus Notes

• Typing 65+wpm

• Negotiation & Contracts Knowledge

• Report Writing

• Insurance Policy Knowledge & Interpretation

• Investigation & Research

• Construction / Engineering Knowledge

• Public Safety / Criminal Justice

• Conflict Resolution & Staff Development

• Office & Financial Resource Management

• Risk Management

Experience

Berkshire Hathaway Guard December 2021 – Present

Wilkes-Barre, PA

As a Senior Property Claims Representative with B H Guard, I am a home based complex commercial adjuster, managing complex commercial claims with TPA oversight, IA oversight, and possessing ample authority to indemnify insureds and approve vendors. My responsibilities and accomplishments are noted as follows:

• Managed catastrophic claims center upon entry to organization bringing over 500 claims to 29 claims in 6.5 months.

• Review newly assigned complex commercial claims for coverage and document same.

• Assign IA/TPA and other necessary vendors, review their reports and advise for corrections.

• Facilitate management of the claim from start to finish and drive rebuild cost negotiations.

• Correspond with agents, attorneys, public adjusters, vendors, IAs/TPAs, other insurers, appraisers, and contractors, and confirm the action basis for every invoice.

• Relay details to insureds on claim outcomes and provide updates throughout claim process.

• Complete settlements with file documentation, outgoing notifications, and payments.

• Coordinate with internal departments for subrogation, appraisals, concurrent claims, legal matters, and salvage.

Farmers Insurance October 2018 – December 2021

Birmingham, AL

As a Senior Property Adjuster with Farmers Insurance, I operate remotely and independently investigate property losses in both Alabama and Georgia. The following are my achievements to date:

• Successfully handled multi-peril property claims to conclusion to include water, fire, wind & hail, vandalism, and vehicle losses.

• Reviewed contracts and negotiated on rebuild and services to resolve differences.

• Analyzed policies and evidence to find coverage and identify the potential for subrogation.

• Obtained a Superior Service Award for exemplary customer service in claims handling

• Awarded a Passion For Excellence Award for applying and obtaining funds and organizing and facilitating a community rebuild project to place roofing and siding on three homes for qualified applicants utilizing a third party non-profit.

• Facilitate during claims area meetings to share on relevant topics. C&J Financial August 2018 – October 2018

Rainbow City, AL

As a Verification Specialist at C&J Financial, I review file documents and information and conduct research as needed, in order to make contact with the appropriate employers and insurance carriers of deceased insureds in order to verify coverage on their behalf.

• Confirm employment and insurance carrier applicability

• Obtain information about insureds’ policies and confirm existing data

• Update files with call recordings, notes, and directives for the customer loyalty specialist

• Conduct research to locate the proper division or party to obtain necessary information

• Utilize exemplary customer service during call handling Erie Insurance November 2015 – June 2018

Richmond, VA

As a Property Adjuster I for Erie, I worked independently from my home and mobile office to conduct over 1000 property, liability, and commercial claims investigations to date. The following represents my daily activities:

• Review contracts and negotiate pricing utilizing county code and market research on 50% of claims.

• Investigate fire, vandalism, wind & hail, water damage, arboreal, and vehicle related property losses. Obtain recorded statements, dictate letters and hire experts as needed.

• Analyze policies and evidence to determine coverage and identify subrogation potential.

• Utilized Project Management to determine the need for and employ mitigation, additional living needs, experts, contractors, and legal parties to promptly restore losses.

• Provided assistance for technical and other job-related skills to lesser experienced adjusters

• Recognized and identified 6 potential fraudulent claims to date. Referred to appropriate parties resulting in thousands of dollars of savings for the company.

• Address files in a timely and appropriate manner to ensure prompt and accurate investigation and loss analysis and to meet claims handling deadlines.

• Regularly exceeded customer and management expectations in claims handling leading to over 100 emails to management praising my contribution and many referrals to Erie. Nationwide Insurance January 2015 – October 2015

Des Moines, IA / Richmond, VA

As a Property Adjuster II for Nationwide, I handled all aspects of property claims investigations via a home and mobile office. Catastrophic duty required extended working hours and hazardous environmental conditions. The following is a summary of my activities for this position:

• Conducted over 400 first and third party investigations and analyses to determine the extent of the company’s liability for losses .

• Utilized conflict resolution skills to quickly and effectively resolve disputes and challenges between clients, contractors, and the claims unit.

• Settled losses onsite up to 50% of the time to ensure high level customer service and meet company desired timelines.

• Established and maintained numerous positive working relationships with internal and external clients to ensure company services satisfaction and foster clientele retention.

• Utilized risk management to identify properties with adverse underwriting potential. Risk reported them as needed to alleviate unnecessary claims and stabilize company growth. Department of Homeland Security/TSA June 2014 – January 2015 Washington, DC

As a Transportation Security Officer for the Transportation Security Administration, my primary duty was to ensure the safety of travelers aboard flights out of Ronald Reagan National Airport. While in this position, I served as a member of the Surge Capacity Force in case of a national disaster. The following are highlights of this position:

• Screened property / over 1500 daily persons utilizing physical search, x-ray technology, and body scans.

• Tested substances and persons for illegal products and discarded/reported to authorities.

• Verified identification of all travelers and referred suspicious individuals to management

• Secured passage to departure gates and exit halls incorporating secret security policies.

• Identified illegal or inappropriate items in carry-on luggage discarding over 10 knives and hundreds of liquids, gels, or aerosols with the possibility of explosives.

• Specialized in identifying IEDs in carryon luggage. State Farm October 2001 – January 2015

Northern VA

While working with State Farm I held the positions of Agency Liaison, Sales and Marketing Coordinator, Office Manager, and Insurance Representative. I served in seven different agency offices handling various duties in the property and casualty as well as life and annuities fields. I also served as an auto loan originator. The following is a high-level overview of my skills and duties:

• Assisted 3 start-up agencies with office set-up, employee training (6), and sales and marketing approach. Provided technical and other job-related training.

• Worked closely with over 6000 clientele to maintain policies on board and ensure retention

• Conducted market research to ensure adequate policy coverage.

• Managed marketing and staff development plans and office administration.

• Served as notary public since 2002 and auto loan originator while managing security functions.

• Represented a full line of over 72 property & casualty, life & annuity, and bank products and implemented viable approaches towards new business opportunities and retention.

• Leveraged consultative sales strengths to identify and elicit growth opportunities.

• Built an agency from infancy to a mature business model multiplying clientele to over 4 times the initial book of business.

• Conducted field canvasing to build community awareness and increase customer base. Education & Professional Training

Capella University – BS Public Safety Criminal Justice, December 2013, Summa Cum Laude North Carolina College of Theology – Associate 2019, Bachelor 2020, Graduate 2021, Master 2022

FEMA Courses – Self Study Online with Certificate

• Continuity of Operations Awareness

• Intro to Incident Command System

• Preparing for Federal Disaster Operations

• National Incident Management System: An Introduction

• National Response Framework: An Introduction

• Radiological Emergency Management

• An Introduction to Hazardous Materials

Self-Study – Leadership Development

Professional Designations / Certifications / Memberships

• Designations: Property & Casualty License 1999- 2016, VA Life & Annuities License 2002- 2016, VA Health License 2002-2016

• Certifications: Bank Certification from State Farm, Xactimate 28 estimate software

• Memberships/Other: Notary Public March 2008 to Present, Alpha Beta Kappa National Honor Society, NAACP Member, Vice President of DECA at North Stafford High School in Stafford VA 1996

• Property School: Nationwide Insurance – August 24-Sept 4, 2015 / Erie Insurance February 2016

• Government Security Clearance – Inactive, DHS/TSA issued 2014

• Licensed Minister 2019

References – Available upon request

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