WHEN THE INTERVIEWER BECOMES THE INTERVIEWEE:  After Season 2 ADJUSTED wrapped up, feedback suggested an episode where listeners could learn more about our host and Sr. VP of RESOLUTION at Berkley Industrial Comp, Greg Hamlin. He thought it would be fun to switch roles and share how he started the insurance industry. 

HE WAS NOT A TRADITIONAL COLLEGE STUDENT: By the time he had started college, he had already spent two years on a Navajo Reservation during a mission. Everything that he did during that two years focused on helping other people. It was very strict, and he could only call home twice a year. There were times that he felt lonely, but it forced him to grow up. When he arrived home and attended Indiana University, he knew who he was and what he wanted out of life. While in college, he was initially a Business Major.  He had to pivot in the 2^nd semester when he realized that a business major was not connecting. He decided to pursue what he loved, which was Criminal Justice. He worked for the Indiana University Non-Profit Fundraising, which raises money for students to have scholarships. He was quickly was promoted to supervisor, and he learned how to lead.  He also got married and started a family prior to graduation.

A CAREER FAIR IN COLLEGE CHANGED EVERYTHING: When he was graduating, he wanted to find a career that could take care of his family. His mentor encouraged him to try to find a career in business. While attending a career fair at Indiana University, he crossed paths with Liberty Mutual. He had never heard of Liberty Mutual or anything about worker’s compensation and/or insurance. He was impressed with the starting salary of a brand-new hire. He interviewed with the company and was offered the job as an adjuster.

HIS FIRST MANAGER WAS TOUGH AND DEMANDED EXCELLENCE: His first two years as an adjuster were the toughest. He had so much to learn, and his manager pushed him really hard. While his manager would almost push him to his breaking point, he credits her for taking the time to teach him. Due to her teaching, he always felt he had a head start on everyone else. He is still friends with her to this day, and he will always think highly of her.

YOU HAVE TO COMMIT AND GO ALL IN: During his career in insurance, he has seen many company re-organizations. There were times that he had to change the line of insurance that he was supervising. He had started out in worker’s compensation but, for a time, had to learn commercial liability insurance. Each challenge gave him confidence in his abilities and presented great opportunities. There were times that life threw him a curveball, such as when his job was eliminated, when he was the Director of the State Fund of Kentucky. It was a setback, but it brought him to Berkley Industrial Comp. It required him and his family to move from Kentucky to Alabama. While they were sad to change schools and leave behind friends, they were committed as a family to embrace new opportunities and view this as “a family adventure.”  They view it like a basketball game:  they do not try to tie the game with a two-pointer; they take the three-point shot to win it.

WHAT IS NEXT? He is very excited about his vision for an Empathetic Resolution Model for Injured Workers and his concept for the Business Engagement Team. The creation of the Business Engagement Team has been a huge success and really sets us apart from our competition. He is very excited to see how future leaders grow and the paths that they will take. He is very eager for ideas that haven’t been dreamed up yet. When you have passion for what you do and care about people, your employees have the buy-in. People do not care about how much you know until they know how much you care.