STEVEN P. HERRON
FLOWERY BRANCH,USA
Summary
Commercial claims officer with a proven ability to bring strategic decision-making, claims operational strategy, and strong leadership to the table. Extensive experience in specializing in litigation strategy and reserve analysis. Proven track record in employee development and performance management, successfully oversees $125M+ in aggregate reserves. Expert in data analysis and trend identification, driving significant improvements in claims handling and compliance.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
AVP Claims-Major Case/Litigation/General Liability
Berkley Southeast Insurance Group
Atlanta, GA
11.2022 - Current
- Responsible for the overall leadership of the Major Case/Litigation/General Liability functions for the Company
- This also includes excess/umbrella claims
- Major Case is responsible for the timely exposure recognition/reserve analysis of claim exposures more than $500,000.00 to millions of dollars
- Complex exposures include Commercial Auto Litigation with significant injuries, General Liability Litigation with significant injuries, Complex Construction Defect Litigation, Complex Personal and Advertising Litigation with significant exposure, Complex coverage issues on high exposure losses and complex EPL and Cyber Losses
- Responsible for $125M+ in aggregate reserves
- Review/edit all Reservation of Rights, Coverage Declination and Tender Letters
- Responsible for collaborating with Corporate Legal when certain corporate triggers are met
- Responsible for hiring, employee development and performance management
- Responsible for setting performance goals and scheduling ongoing continuing education to ensure claim professionals are kept current on state and federal laws
- Responsible for the overall litigation strategy for the Company
- Responsible for constructing defense panel roster and ensuring adherence to litigation management guidelines
- Perform file audits, in addition to diary reviews, to ensure compliance with best practices
- Responsible for writing and updating Casualty Claim Best Practices, Casualty Claim QA Tool Questionnaire and Casualty Defense Panel QA Tool Questionnaire
- Consistently review tableau claim leadership reports to identify trends that may require further improvement initiatives
- Complete monthly leadership reports i.e
- Large Loss Forecasts, Mediation/Trial Calendar, Reinsurance Report, Corporate Legal Referral Calendar
- Responsible for the review of all Large Loss Reports to ensure their accuracy prior to distribution
- Responsible for scheduling/participating in Large Loss Committee Conferences on reserve adjustments greater than $500,000.00
- Distribute trial notices to executive leadership/participate in all pre-trial strategy conference calls
- Responsible for reinsurance treaty compliance and all timely reinsurance reporting for the Company
- Consistent engagement with President, CFO, CCO, and Chief Actuary on large claim developments
- Participate in quarterly actuarial meetings reviewing reserving triangles to ensure adequate reserving trends for current and prior years claims vs. other Berkeley Companies in the regional segment.
Commercial Claim Leader
Westfield Insurance Company
Atlanta, GA
11.2011 - 11.2022
- For (11) years, I led and developed several commercial lines automobile and general liability claims teams; some of which included Construction Defect and Litigation
- At time of departure, led Westfield’s only all Senior Auto Claim Representative Team, which consisted of 6 remote adjusters handling complex commercial auto and bodily injury claims throughout the entire U.S
- With exposures up to $250,000.00 with a heavy emphasis on Commercial Auto and Trucking
- Interacted consistently with all levels of claim leadership, and current team members, providing ongoing performance feedback
- Reviewed claim files to ensure that investigations, reserves, and damage evaluations are accurate and timely
- Performed 3 formal quality assurance claim reviews, per claim professional, per month
- Reviewed/Edited Reservation of Rights and Coverage Disclaimer letters prior to being sent
- Participated in bi-weekly claim round tables, bi-weekly team meetings, and bi-weekly touch point Web Ex calls with employees
- Provided quarterly performance feedback, conducted annual performance reviews, and address any performance management issues
- Was responsible for overall leadership of the Atlanta Service Office
Claim Specialist
FCCI Insurance Group
Duluth, GA
04.2007 - 11.2011
- Provided quality claim handling and timely investigations of very complex casualty claims to include construction defect, product liability, wrongful death, general liability, farm liability, and commercial auto and trucking claims
- Investigated and settled the most significant claims in the Southeast with damages well into the millions
- Thoroughly investigated complex coverage issues and proactively practiced strategic litigation management
- Met with claimants in person, met with plaintiff attorney’s and their client’s, attempted early settlement opportunities, established and maintained reserves, effectively utilized diary system, conducted site investigations, engaged SIU, surveillance and experts when needed for enhanced claim investigations
- Actively participated in mediations and arbitrations
- Attended important depositions and went to trials
- Met with agents and accounts to ensure customer standards were being met
Unit Leader and Field Commercial Liability Claim Representative
Travelers Insurance Company
Alpharetta, GA
09.2003 - 04.2007
- Managed a unit of 7-10 auto claim representatives for a year
- Provided leadership with an emphasis on training and development
- Identified developmental opportunities and provided performance feedback
- Acted as a technical resource for our staff
- Completed file reviews and participated in office quality reviews
- Consistently analyzed daily/monthly reports and recruited highly talented employees
- As a field commercial casualty claim adjuster, I contacted involved parties and took recorded statements
- Investigated coverage, liability, and conducted scene investigations
- Met with injured parties to attempt early settlement opportunities
- Evaluated injuries and established reserves
- Negotiated injury settlements and managed litigation process
Personal Lines Claims Representative (Level 2)
Progressive Insurance Company
Athens, GA
10.2001 - 09.2003
- Contacted involved parties and took recorded statements
- Investigated coverage, liability, completed scene investigations, and estimated damages
- Settled total losses, addressed diminished value, and managed rental process
- Investigated fire and theft claims, attempted early settlement opportunities, and negotiated injury settlements
Education
Business Administration Degree -
North Georgia State College/University
Gainesville, GASkills
- Claims management
- Change management
- Litigation strategy
- Reserve analysis
- Coverage evaluation
- Regulatory compliance
- Team leadership
- Employee development
- Performance management
- Negotiation tactics
- Data analysis
- Effective communication
- Strategic planning
- Quality assurance
- Trend identification
Certification
- CT
- DE
- FL
- GA
- KY
- LA
- NH
- NM
- NC
- OK
- RI
- SC
- TX
- VT
- WV
- WY
Accomplishments
- Current participate in 2025 W.R. Berkley Leadership Development Circle. Only limited selected applicants allowed. Currently being mentored by a Senior Vice President in Claims.
- 29% reduction in combined business lines claim pending in 2024
- 179.54% combined business lines closing ratio in 2024
- 95.4% QA score for combined business lines in 2024
- Participated in the strategic realignment of the claims function in 2024.
- Re-wrote Claim Best Practices and Casualty Claim QA Questionnaire in 2024.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
AVP Claims-Major Case/Litigation/General Liability
Berkley Southeast Insurance Group
11.2022 - Current
Commercial Claim Leader
Westfield Insurance Company
11.2011 - 11.2022
Claim Specialist
FCCI Insurance Group
04.2007 - 11.2011
Unit Leader and Field Commercial Liability Claim Representative
Travelers Insurance Company
09.2003 - 04.2007
Personal Lines Claims Representative (Level 2)
Progressive Insurance Company
10.2001 - 09.2003
Business Administration Degree -
North Georgia State College/University
Similar Profiles
Scott WatsonScott Watson
Agency Sales Manager at Berkley Southeast Insurance GroupAgency Sales Manager at Berkley Southeast Insurance Group
Minal PatelMinal Patel
Financial Controller at Berkley Southeast Insurance CompanyFinancial Controller at Berkley Southeast Insurance Company
Lisa ThiessenLisa Thiessen
Premium Auditor at Insurance Services Group of the Southeast, IncPremium Auditor at Insurance Services Group of the Southeast, Inc