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, Chief Executive Office / General Adjuster

40 years ago, Bill began his adjusting career after graduating from Spring Arbor College in Michigan. After a short time with General Adjustment Bureau, he joined the firm in 1971.His contributions to the industry include being an officer in many of the trade associations, speaking to the industry as called on, and being a panelist for thirty plus years at the Property Loss Research Bureau’ Loss Managers Conference and regional conferences. Adjustment of Property and Time Element claims and Expert Witness Testimony, Appraisal and damagers documentation has been his area of discipline , but he is called upon on unusual and unique claims with high complexity and complication and is known for being able to call upon his experience to craft creative ways to assist companies in concluding claims using aggressive good faith strategies .Bill is a 6,000 plus hour private pilot with instrument rating and uses this tool to provide efficient and cost effective handling of distant claims in this climate of TSA lines often disrupted airline schedules. The size of a claim makes little difference to Bill. He has handled many of the greatest dollar exposure claims for client companies, but often is called in to help review and assist in claims that need analytic review and recommendation. He is past President of the Organization of Flying Adjusters, The Chicago Adjusters Association, past regional Vice President of the National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters, The International Institute of Loss Adjusters, he is Member of LIPA (Leading International Property Adjusters). Bill recently relocated his residence to Michigan and some have accused him of partially retiring. Not so says Bill who continues his passion for the claims business in his everyday pursuit. With the assistance of General Aviation the Lombard office is one hour away and the local airport (6 miles from his home), makes travel, cost effective and convenient. He became an owner and officer in 1983, assumed the presidency in 1992, and assumed the office of Chief Executive officer in 2005.



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 that year in the Life and Health insurance field with Equitable. 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 was a Workshop Panelist or Chairman at the PLRB's annual Loss Managers Conference, speaking and teaching on the topic of Adjusting Business Income Losses for a Service Business, for six consecutive year starting in 1998. He has also presented at the PLRB’s Regional Meetings on the subject of Recognizing and Responding to Potentially Fraudulent Losses. Bill handles all types of residential and commercial property claims and brings a special expertise to the handling of arson and fraud claims. Bill became an owner and Secretary on January 1, 1994. He became President of the firm in 2004.

 

TIMOTHY E. COPPOCK, EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT AND GENERAL ADJUSTER

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

NINO A. BERARDI, VICE PRESIDENT/TREASURER, GENERAL ADJSUTER

Nino graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1990 with a degree in Corporate Communications. He began his adjusting career in January of 1991 with the Aetna Life and Casualty Company. While working at Aetna, he specialized in the handling of property claims and obtained the title of Senior Property Claim Representative. Nino joined the staff of L. J. Shaw and Company on January 8, 1996. Nino is a past President and current member of the Chicago Adjuster’s Association. He is also a member of the Western Loss Association and the National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters (NAIIA). Nino handles all types of residential and commercial property claims. He is fluent in spoken and written Italian.

Nino obtained the title of General Adjuster on September 1, 2004; he has qualified for the designation of Registered Professional Adjuster (RPA # 1223) and became owner/Treasurer of the company 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. He held the position of Field Property Adjuster handling a variety of homeowners and commercial losses. In 1994 he was promoted to the Management Training Program. This led to his designation as a Supervisor responsible for the Liability, Auto and Subrogation claims. Paul's desire to return to the Property field and "hands on" adjustment led him to accept a position with Hanover Insurance in 1996. There 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. He is also a past President of the Chicago Adjusters Association. Paul excels in the use of the Xactimate estimating program and handles large and complex losses nationwide, including many from Hurricane Katrina.

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


 
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.




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.




 

T. R. COPPOCK, ADJUSTER

T.R. joined our firm in July 2005. Prior to jointing us, T.R. attended Eastern Illinois University where he obtained his degree in Communications and Business.  He began his career with G.A.B. Robbins in Michigan and worked in Florida to assist in the resolution of hurricane related claims.  In addition, T.R. also handled claims in Louisiana after hurricane Katrina.

T.R. responded well to the high volumn environment and used these opportunities to hone his coverage analysis and estimating skills.

T.R.'s integrity, enthusiasm and adjusting abilities further strenghten our firm in handling commercial and homeowners claims on behalf of our clients.

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.




SEAN PAPPAS, ADJUSTER

Upon graduation from Evangel University in Springfield Missouri, Mr. Pappas entered the workforce in retail management. In 1999 he gravitated to insurance claims and developed in to a highly regarded adjuster.

Prior to his coming to L. J. Shaw he handled a variety of large and complex personal, commercial and catastrophe claims throughout the country for Farmers Insurance Group. His efforts were acknowledged by the receipt of customer service awards. In addition he was called upon to participate in the training of adjusters nationwide.

Sean continues to broaden his skill set through participation in various seminars and courses. From his LaSalle County satellite base he can efficiently meet the needs of our clients in the Illinois Valley region and beyond. Sean is a most welcome addition to the firm and will use his expertise to arrive at appropriate file resolution for both the company and the insured.





ERIC POPPER, AVIATION ADJUSTER & CONSULTANT

Eric's lifelong passion for aviation is a valuable component of the L. J. Shaw team. After receiving a B. S. in Business Administration from the University of Illinois in 1992, Eric went on to become an airline pilot, now flying for a Chicago based legacy airline. With over 12,000 hours of flight time and type ratings in the BE-1900, B727, B747, B777, and A319/320. Eric brings a wealth of flying and aviation expertise to L. J. Shaw as an adjuster and consultant on aviation issues. In 2006, he was inducted into the Organization of Flying Adjusters, a prestigious group of adjusters and industry peers. Eric has recently served as the Secretary and is currently the Treasurer of this organization.



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.

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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.

 

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