Back in 1994 when I started Eclipse I had no idea of all the great people I would get to meet over the years. In mid-late 90's we were the only insurance broker in the area supporting the local alarm associations and I was hooked. The technology that I saw in the industry had me getting my house wired for all kinds of alarms and A/V equipment, drove my wife crazy. It's been 20 years since my first days in the industry but I still feel that same excitement.

We started off as a 'mom and pop' shop, I hope we always feel that way. But there have been upgrades! About 15 years ago my dad told me I'd need to go beyond the standard industry training if I wanted to get anywhere, so he pushed me towards an advanced training program to become a Certified Insurance Counselor, which is a certification very few brokers take the time to achieve.

I've been a CIC alumni now for over 10 years, and it's been a huge advantage in the nuts and bolts side of my industry where customers need my expertise, it's helped me help a lot of people! Licensed in 22 States now, automated, paperless I've seen a lot of changes in the industry, but the desire to protect each customer, the same desire I see in dealers today, is in me - it's what I do for my clients.

So whether I'm talking with a new dealer, supporting local associations or pouring wine at Winter Convention, if you need advice I'm there.

Leave a Message

I was born into the trades; this first-hand experience helps me really understand what types of coverage my clients need.

My dad was a general contractor most of my life growing up. I built my first house with him when I was 17 over in Davis, California. Building that house in the baking hot sun is why I think I eventually got into insurance (ha ha). Honestly though growing up around contractors was my life and understanding how to insure them is my passion.

I've always liked helping people so when I fell into insurance back in 2002 it was an easy fit. Sales were part of it but helping people understand insurance was always interesting to me. In 2004 I finally qualified to be a Certified Insurance Counselor. Getting that certification was brutal but I learned a ton about how to evaluate business insurance needs. Even better I learned a lot about what you don't need. Shoot me a note; feel free to catch up with me anytime.

Leave a Message

My first job at 16 was in janitorial for a PG&E substation in Chico, Ca. After graduating High school I was hired by a Concrete Contractor as a general laborer. I started at the bottom doing grunt labor, but was quickly moved up the ranks to become one of the companies lead concrete finishers. If you're ever near Sierra Nevada Brewing Co's gift shop, take a look on the wall, you might see a couple pictures of me during my days in construction. I was working days in the concrete industry, while still cleaning filthy substations at night.

In 1998 I started my own building maintenance business specializing in large, commercial building janitorial/maintenance. We were in charge of floor care, carpet cleaning, window washing and just about everything in between.

I had over 25 employees at the companies peak, just enough to make you pull your hair out! Even though I had a flourishing business I just couldn't hang up my concrete trowels. In the early 00's I opened a second business that specialized in decorative concrete applications.

I've never been afraid of hard work, and all those years of doing janitorial helped me develop a keen eye for detail. I notice everything, and am a bit of a perfectionist. My clients don't see this as a hindrance though, it works out very well for them since i'm now managing something very meticulous.

In 2005 my insurance agent, planted the seed of an idea. He wanted me to leave the trades and sell... gasp... insurance. To be honest, the idea sounded horrible! Insurance had always been a necessary evil, nothing I would ever sell to a fellow contractor. But after years of working for myself and burning the candle at both ends I gave in and joined Eclipse in 2006.

IT WAS THE BEST DECISION OF MY LIFE! I couldn't have been more wrong about commercial insurance. Protecting my clients from all the potential liabilities that face a business has become a passion of mine. And to know that my brother-contractors were covered properly made selling to them extra special.

In 2008 I stumbled on a client type that Eclipse hadn't underwritten in the past. It was an Environmental Contractor that specialized in mold remediation and Lead abatement. At the time, there were only one or two insurance companies that would even consider insuring that industry. I decided to look further into, finding a competitive market that offered the coverage's my new client needed was a real challenge. After a ton of leg work I won the account; during the process I was able to encourage a couple carriers to adjust their appetite and go feet first into a new niche.

Eclipse now has a sizable Environmental division with dozens of carrier options. Each have been meticulously scrutinized to ensure our clients are getting the best coverage possible, at a price that keeps them competitively bidding on new projects.

Since 2008 I have successfully pieced together insurance programs for various trade associations in the environmental industry. I'm currently serving as President of the Cleaning & Restoration Association(CRA) http://www.crassociation.org/.

I love what I do, if you're looking for a second look at your insurance program, need some insurance advice, or just want to chat about the construction industry, shoot me an email or give me a call. I'd love to be of service.

Leave a Message

You gotta love hot weather to be a contractor around here. There's no place where that's truer than up in Redding, California. Back In 2000 I was working for Redding Pool & Concrete Design as a foreman, it was brutal work but I loved it. A customer's excitement at seeing their dream pool and backyard is contagious, right? That's what led me to get my contractor's license. Being a contractor and an insurance broker helps me better understand what coverage is needed, and what isn't. It allows me to see things from a contractor's perspective. I see how most insurance people don't really understand what a contractor does in the field, so they have no idea how to reduce costs for you. I do understand. I'm easy, give me a ring or shoot me an email, I'd love to talk.

Leave a Message