Douglas Jackson, current president of Southwest Claims Service and the Society of Registered Professional Adjusters (RPA), was crowned the 2008 Claim Professional of the Year at a special award ceremony held on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 during the 12th Annual ACE America 's Claim Event. Sponsored by New York-based law firm Smith & Brink, P.C. and Claims Magazine, the award recognizes overall excellence in the claim-handling arena. Recipients are heavily involved in continuing education initiatives that foster a sense of commitment to not only upholding the integrity of current industry practices but also improving upon them.
Throughout his more than 30 years of experience as a claim professional, Jackson has worked as a staff adjuster with both commercial and residential carriers. His Southern California-based company is an independent insurance adjusting firm that he started with his wife, Elaine. It provides claim adjusting and consultation services to commercial and personal line insurers, with a primary focus on property and casualty lines.
In a letter nominating Jackson for the award, Peter Schifrin, California Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters (CAIIA) president, cited the RPA president's tireless efforts to rejuvenate the RPA board, all of which has culminated in an increase in membership and heightened organizational credibility. Schifrin also emphasized successful education initiatives and other contributions.
"Mr. Jackson is the past president of the CAIIA," he said. "During his time on the executive board, he was instrumental in the creation of the Seminar for the Evaluation of Earthquake Damage (SEED), a program that assists adjusters in complying with California earthquake certifications requirements."
"The one-day program is intense and enlightening," said Jackson. "It not only satisfies the three-year certification requirement for earthquake losses, but also handles fair claims and SIU recertification guidelines. I am very proud to still be involved in this training today."
Aside from this specific program, Jackson reinforced the notion that nurturing the potential in each professional will strengthen the industry — its image and effectiveness — for years to come.
"We need to remember that education takes many forms," he said. "Each of us has found our path to furthering our competence and professionalism and any educational format should be results-driven. I still look back to my first job and to the commitment the company made to me and other rookies by sending us to 'property' school and then 'policy' school. Even after two months of rigorous training, it realized that pairing us with senior adjusters — destined to become our mentors and guides — was just as important as the tangible resources, such as books and classes."
Jackson encourages others to get involved and take pride in such a commendable profession. To all who have met him, his fervor seems infectious.
"As a regional independent adjuster, I take on the numerous and mostly volunteer training programs and am involved in various professional claim organizations because we should all give something back," said Jackson. "Every adjuster is ultimately responsible for improving his own expertise and professionalism. Challenge yourself. Commit yourself. Consider this an invitation to step forward and be the mentor that some new adjuster is desperate to have."
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