The firm was founded by Mr. Lester J. Shaw in 1932 as a one man operation. Over the years there have been several changes in ownership and growth to our current staff size. We pride ourselves as a firm, in our careful selection of staff people to fit the image developed over the years.

Let us introduce our people:

WILLIAM L. HALL, CEO/GENERAL ADJUSTER

Bill began his adjusting career after graduation from Spring Arbor College in 1970. After brief experience with the General Adjustment Bureau, he joined our firm in 1971. He has been involved as a panelist at the Property Loss Research Bureau's Annual Loss Manager's Conference. Expertise in serious fire losses (industrial and residential), in time element coverages and in the investigation of cause and origin. Bill is a current private and instrument pilot and uses the flexibility of air travel with larger losses and aviation work. He was inducted into the Organization of Flying Adjusters in 1986 and held the Office of President in 1992-1993. He is a Past President of the Adjusters Association of Chicago and is a member of the International Institute of Loss Adjusters. Associate Member of the Loss Executives Association and serves(d) as Regional Vice President of the Mid-States Region of the National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters (NAIIA). Bill is often called to speak to groups on issues relevant to the Claims Industry. A Point of interest is that Bill has handled the largest property claims experienced by 5 of our faithful clients. He became an owner and officer on January 1, 1983, assuming the Presidency on January 1, 1992.
WILLIAM J. JENSEN, AIC, PRESIDENT AND GENERAL ADJUSTER

Bill graduated from the University of Illinois, Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973. He started his insurance career in the Life and Health insurance field. In 1977 he joined GAB Services as a Property Adjuster in the Chicago Northside Office. He participated in the training and educational opportunities there, and in 1981 he joined the staff of L. J. Shaw and Company. Bill obtained his AIC designation in 1986 and achieved the title of General Adjuster in 1989. Bill has also qualified for the designation of Registered Professional Adjuster (RPA #1036). Bill is a Past President of the Chicago Adjuster's Association and a member of the Western Loss Association, National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters (NAIIA) and the International Institute of Loss Adjusters (IILA). Bill has been a Workshop Panelist or Chairman at the PLRB's annual Loss Managers Conference since 1998. Bill handles all types of residential and commercial property claims and specializes in the handling of arson and fraud claims. Bill became an owner and Secretary on January 1, 1994.
TIMOTHY E. COPPOCK, EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT/TREASURER AND GENERAL ADJUSTER

Tim graduated from the Western Illinois University where he obtained his degree in Business Administration. He began his adjusting career with Underwriters Adjusting Company in January of 1974, where he served as Senior Claims Adjuster with the additional responsibilities of Property Claims Supervisor, until he joined our firm in 1979. Tim is a Registered Professional Adjuster (RPA #973). Tim is a member of the Chicago Adjuster's Association, Western Loss Association, National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters (NAIIA) and the International Institute of Loss Adjuster's (IILA). Tim's experience and education equips him with outstanding abilities to handle major commercial and residential claims throughout the Midwest. He was appointed to the title of General Adjuster in 1991. He became an owner and Vice-President on January 1, 1994.
RANDALL A. FERRARI, OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Randy's career began in 1973 as a multi-line adjuster with Safeco Insurance. He also served as Auto Physical Damage Trainer and Adjuster in Charge. In 1985 Randy became Regional Claims Examiner for Allendale Insurance supervising complex property losses nationwide. In 1988 he joined Toplis and Harding handling casualty claims with an emphasis in product and liquor liability. Recruited by a former colleague, Randy took a position with CNA E & S. He became Claim Manager in 1995 and AVP in 1996. A phone call from Bill Hall, a friend and long time associate, resulted in Randy joining L. J. Shaw and Company in 1997. He is responsible for the daily management of the firm.
STEPHEN S. HASTINGS, GENERAL ADJUSTER

Steve graduated from the University of Wisconsin and has been involved with the business of claims since his undergraduate days when he supported his education with seasonal storm work. Full time employment began with the General Adjustment Bureau in 1963 where Steve served as Senior Adjuster, Branch Manager and as General Adjuster until he joined our firm in 1974. He is a member of the Adjusters Association of Chicago (Past President) and is a Past President of the International Institute of Loss Adjusters. He has been a regular panelist and instructor at the Loss Manager's Conference of the Property Loss Research Bureau. Steve is widely recognized in his chosen field for his abilities in the investigation and adjustment of major fire losses and time element exposures. He became an owner and officer on January 1, 1983, and CEO on January 1, 1992.
NINO A. BERARDI, GENERAL ADJUSTER

Nino graduated from Northern Illinois University in December of 1990 with a degree in Corporate Communications. He began his adjusting career in January of 1991 with the Aetna Life and Casualty Company. From 1991 through 1995, while with Aetna, he specialized in the handling of property claims and obtained the title of Senior Property Claim Representative. Nino joined our staff on January 8, 1996 and brings with him the abilities to handle residential and commercial property claims and damage appraisals. He is able to negotiate and make appropriate quick decisions involving settlements and coverage interpretations. Nino frequently attends educational classes to continue his growth and increase his knowledge to assist him in handling large and complex property insurance claims. Nino is a member of the Western Loss Association and is currently an officer with the Adjuster's Association of Chicago. In addition, to the many abilities Nino brings to our team, he is also fluent in spoken and written Italian.

Nino ascended to General Adjuster on September 1, 2004 and became an owner January 1, 2005.
PAUL A. VANDERHEYDEN, GENERAL ADJUSTER

Paul graduated from Northern Illinois University with a B. S. Degree in Finance in 1989. Upon graduation Paul launched his insurance adjusting career with Farmers Insurance in Aurora, Illinois. He held the position of Field Property Adjuster handling a variety of homeowners and commercial losses. In 1994 as a result of his exemplary efforts he was elected to enter the Management Training Program. This led to his designation as Supervisor responsible for the oversight of multi-line claims. Paul's desire to return to the field and "hands on" adjustment led him to accept a position with Hanover Insurance in 1996. Here he handled an increasingly complex mix of personal and commercial lines property claims. Paul has solid computer skills and an ever increasing knowledge based in construction and time element issues. He joined L. J. Shaw and Company in January of 1998. Since joining L. J. Shaw and Company he has been a panelist for the 2000 PLRB Conference. Paul continues to stay on top of the evolving Xactimate Estimating Program. He has also proven himself away from the Chicago Metropolitan area and is ready to handle complex residential and commercial claims nationwide.

Paul was elevated to General Adjuster on September 1, 2004 and on January 1, 2005 became an owner.




DAVID J. BRINKER, ADJUSTER

David added his twenty-six plus years of experience to the L. J. Shaw and Company roster on September 17, 2001. David's most recent stint prior to coming on board was with Cunningham Lindsey. He has handled a wide variety of personal and commercial property matters. The depth of his expertise earned him the designation of Regional General Adjuster while employed with AIG. He also served in management capacities. David is superbly equipped to handle any and all manner of property adjustments.




KEVIN M. YOUNG, ADJUSTER

Kevin matriculated at the University of Illinois where he earned a double major in history and communications. In 1994 he began his insurance career with State Farm. During his tenure at State Farm he had a variety property adjustment responsibilities including field adjuster, re-inspector trainer, catastrophe specialist and large loss adjuster. Working extensively in the Chicago metropolitan area, Kevin is familiar with the wide array of construction methods seen in homeowner and commercial claims. Kevin’s integrity, enthusiasm and inquisitive personality make him a superb fit with L. J. Shaw.




 
FRANK D. MARTINO, ADJUSTER

Frank joined our firm on March 12, 1984 after seven (7) years with General Adjustment Bureau and CNA. He has secured accounting background at Triton College and a B. A. in Personnel Management at Northern Illinois University. Has a good background in commercial and residential losses. Primarily used in Chicago (north and west sides) and north and west suburban areas.


 
T. R. COPPOCK, ADJUSTER

T. R. joined the firm in July of 2005. He began his adjusting career with GAB in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Recognizing his ability to learn quickly, T. R. was sent to Florida to assist in the resolution of hurricane related claims. He responded well to the high volume environment and used this opportunity to hone his coverage analysis and estimating skills.

T. R. is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University.

He is the third generation of the Coppock family to join L. J. Shaw & Company. His integrity, enthusiasm and ability serve to further strengthen our firm.





ERIC POPPER, PILOT & AVIATION CONSULTANT

Eric brings his lifelong passion for aviation to the L. J. Shaw team. A graduate of the University of Illinois where he received flight training, he further honed his flying skills as an instructor at Parks College and Belleville Area College in St. Louis, MO. Eric has been flying for a Chicago based Legacy Airline since 1995 and is currently an Airbus 320 Captain. He adjusts and consults on aviation claims. Eric was inducted into the Organization of Flying Adusters in 2006.

MICHAEL R. SCHWARTZ, GENERAL ADJUSTER

Upon graduating with honors from Loyola University of Chicago in 1988, Mike began his adjusting career with Hanover Insurance. Beginning as a multi-line adjuster, he soon gravitated to property claims. While at Hanover, he attended and later taught many in-house training courses. In 1992, Mike joined Toplis & Harding where he handled major losses for hurricanes in Florida. Mike ascended to General Adjuster at R.S. Rozak and Company where he started in 1994. He is the past president of the Adjuster's Association of Chicago. He joined the L. J. Shaw team in August of 2007. He handles all manner of property losses with special expertise in commercial matters.


ROBERT M. HALL, CONSULTANT

Involved in the adjustment of insurance claims since 1953. Sixteen (16) years with the General Adjustment Bureau in the capacity of Adjuster, Supervisor and Branch Manager. Past President of the Adjusters Association of Chicago (1976-77). Past President of the National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters (1990-91). Responsible for management of the firm. Although Mr. Hall retired on July 1, 1997, he continues to serve on the Board of Directors for L. J. Shaw and Company.




In addition to the individual affiliations indicated, L. J. Shaw and Company is active in membership in the National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters, the Illinois Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters, the Adjusters Association of Chicago, the Organization of Flying Adjusters and the Western Loss Association.

Though we have actively serviced Underwriters at Lloyd's business for some time, application was made for formal appointment and such designation has been obtained.

The above is intended as a general listing of capabilities and qualifications, however, more detailed data is available upon request.