What was your major in college?
SNHU Business-Honors Degree in Three program, but for only one year.
What was your first job?
Stop & Shop was the first; and construction with my father, doing restoration/construction work. I actually started doing demo work in middle school.
Who at SMW trained you?
I have known and learned from Ricky (Turgeon) for the longest amount of time – we met through my father’s company. He’s been teaching me about the building side of things. Dayle (Swerling Burke) has been training me on the personal property portion of claims.
What’s your favorite part of the job?
Inspecting and estimating fire losses. I prefer to be out in the field rather than in the office.
What’s the most challenging part?
Making sure every aspect of the job goes smoothly with as few hiccups as possible. And currently, learning the claims process from the insurance side – it’s a different animal than what I’ve dealt with before.
What’s the most memorable or most rewarding loss you’ve worked on?
A medical center in NH is memorable because of the scale of it – the sheer amount of work that has gone into that one. And it’s my first large commercial loss, which is very different than my usual residential claims. I’d also never done contents before – dealing with unique items, and working side by side with the salvor, along with several of my coworkers, in harsh conditions. It was extremely hot, and trying to work around (and sometimes with) crews doing demolition and remediation was quite an experience.
What are your hobbies?
I like cooking, especially coq au vin and bœuf bourgigon. I like to hunt. And I love to fish – mostly saltwater; blue fish while deep sea fishing.
What’s your favorite sports team?
Boston Bruins.
Favorite movie?
Fargo, and The Big Lebowski.
Favorite picture you’ve taken?
Favorite food / restaurant?
Buckley’s Great Steaks in Merrimack NH – steak au poivre is my favorite dish there. French food overall.
What’s the worst fashion trend you participated in?
Short sleeve t-shirts over long sleeve shirts.
How do you motivate others? How do others motivate you?
Willingness to learn and pass on as much information gathered through experience as possible.
What would your best friends say is your best quality? What would colleagues say is your best quality?
Detail-oriented and willing to learn.
Favorite vacation spot?
The Bahamas – Nassau was a highlight.
What is your daily attire?
Slacks and a polo.
Favorite TV show?
Top Gear, a British car show.
Do you like audio books or reading books?
Reading.
Favorite book?
Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms.
Any pets?
Chickens – I keep them for the eggs; I fry them – the eggs, not the chickens! And there’s a lot of wildlife around my home – foxes, bears and turkeys, especially.
If you could pick a new first name, what would it be?
I like my name.
How do you maintain a work life balance?
I try to start working as early as possible, and get home on the early side.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation would help with my commute.
Favorite band?
Gordon Lightfoot – the Sundown album especially.
Last concert?
Jimmy Vaughn
