This interview is a part of the EEDC's Get to Know the Owner Series.
Tell me about your business.
I founded Adjusters International/MBC in 1988, with my wife Jan DeLuise, to assist policyholders in preparing, filing, and adjusting their insurance claims. We are a public adjusting firm that works exclusively for the Policyholder, not the Insurance Company. I am now the President and Chairman and my son Kalon is the CEO. My wife Jan is the Chief Financial Officer and has been with me since the very beginning.
More about Adjusters International/MBC can be found here
How’d you get started?
Interesting story. I was on the fraternity house board after college and an arsonist on the Front Range burnt down six fraternity houses. I solicited an adjuster from St. Louis to help and after watching him and shadowing him a bit through the process I realized I really liked this business. I ended up buying his company!
Once you have had a fire, explosion, water damage, etc, everyone thinks the insurance company is working for them. It's just not the case. They are minimizing what they pay. I love what I do being able to level the playing field and work FOR the policyholder.
Tell me a little more about yourself.
I’m a 5th generation Coloradan. I have a passion for helping people throughout a time that can be quite overwhelming. Outside of work, I’m an avid pilot. I have been flying ever since I was a child. In fact, my mother gifted me flying lessons on my 16th birthday. Now I reside along the runway at the Erie Air Park, have a plane hangar, and fly within 600 miles to jobs. I’m often the first one there given the ability to hop on my OWN plane.
What challenges do you face on a daily basis?
Over the years the claims business has changed dramatically. At one time, once you proved damages companies were happy to pay out to the policyholder. Over the years companies have demutualized. They now are driven by leadership that is answering to shareholders focusing on increasing profit and shareholder value. This has led to underpaying claims. It has dramatically changed the field.
Want to know more about Adjusters International/MBC? You can find out more on their website: ai-mbc.com
Stay tuned as we get to know more local business owners in the coming months
Want to be featured in our series? Join the EEDC today and be a part of Erie's economic engine and join the Erie Economic Development Council.
Adjusters International/MBC is a proud Member of the Erie Economic Development Council.