Commecial Lines Producer / Risk Management Specialist

• Oct 2021 - Present

Owner & Co-founder

• 2008 - Present

MorphisStudios was founded by two Portland artists, Justine Avera and Vincent Ramirez. We decided to join forces in our photography business after collaborating on multiple art projects over the years. Our enthusiasm and passion for our work together became the driving force behind MorphisStudios. This unique creative synergy is brought to the table on every assignment and put to work for you, the client, in a friendly and professional environment. We stand behind the quality of our work, and… Show more MorphisStudios was founded by two Portland artists, Justine Avera and Vincent Ramirez. We decided to join forces in our photography business after collaborating on multiple art projects over the years. Our enthusiasm and passion for our work together became the driving force behind MorphisStudios. This unique creative synergy is brought to the table on every assignment and put to work for you, the client, in a friendly and professional environment. We stand behind the quality of our work, and take pride in your satisfaction. We enjoy serving the arts and cultural communities of the Pacific Northwest. We live to explore what is quirky and beautiful about our region. In our personal artwork, we often straddle that line between the sublime and the ugly, the corporate and the underground. We specialize in portraiture, fine art photography, and editorial work. See some of our fabulous digital galleries on our website, and contact us today for assistance with your next event or project. Show less MorphisStudios was founded by two Portland artists, Justine Avera and Vincent Ramirez. We decided to join forces in our photography business after collaborating on multiple art projects over the years. Our enthusiasm and passion for our work together became the driving force behind MorphisStudios. This unique creative synergy is brought to the table on every assignment and put to work for you, the client, in a friendly and professional environment. We stand behind the quality of our work, and… Show more MorphisStudios was founded by two Portland artists, Justine Avera and Vincent Ramirez. We decided to join forces in our photography business after collaborating on multiple art projects over the years. Our enthusiasm and passion for our work together became the driving force behind MorphisStudios. This unique creative synergy is brought to the table on every assignment and put to work for you, the client, in a friendly and professional environment. We stand behind the quality of our work, and take pride in your satisfaction. We enjoy serving the arts and cultural communities of the Pacific Northwest. We live to explore what is quirky and beautiful about our region. In our personal artwork, we often straddle that line between the sublime and the ugly, the corporate and the underground. We specialize in portraiture, fine art photography, and editorial work. See some of our fabulous digital galleries on our website, and contact us today for assistance with your next event or project. Show less

Various & sundry learning environments

• Jan 1985 - Feb 2022

My insurance career started with Rainier Insurance company, an Excess & Surplus Lines carrier in Portland Oregon. I migrated to the wholesale side, doing primarily long haul trucking with Primex, and ended up at Crump Insurance, a premier brokerage outfit, as the assistant to the regional President. This is where I got my full E&S chops, and a lot of computer and administrative/HR experience. I then went all the way over to the polar opposite of being a company person and began working with… Show more My insurance career started with Rainier Insurance company, an Excess & Surplus Lines carrier in Portland Oregon. I migrated to the wholesale side, doing primarily long haul trucking with Primex, and ended up at Crump Insurance, a premier brokerage outfit, as the assistant to the regional President. This is where I got my full E&S chops, and a lot of computer and administrative/HR experience. I then went all the way over to the polar opposite of being a company person and began working with the public on the agency side. I decided this was way more fun, and gained a much deeper appreciation of the vital role of the insurance agent as advisor to business owners. This appreciation developed into a keen interest in risk management and risk finance, and I was able to grow that practice over the next decade in my professional development. Prior jobs that have come in handy: litigation support, corporate training and quality management, business management consulting, PR & graphic design, administrative/office, retail sales, door-to-door fundraising, volunteer coordination, event planning, photography, cinematography. Show less My insurance career started with Rainier Insurance company, an Excess & Surplus Lines carrier in Portland Oregon. I migrated to the wholesale side, doing primarily long haul trucking with Primex, and ended up at Crump Insurance, a premier brokerage outfit, as the assistant to the regional President. This is where I got my full E&S chops, and a lot of computer and administrative/HR experience. I then went all the way over to the polar opposite of being a company person and began working with… Show more My insurance career started with Rainier Insurance company, an Excess & Surplus Lines carrier in Portland Oregon. I migrated to the wholesale side, doing primarily long haul trucking with Primex, and ended up at Crump Insurance, a premier brokerage outfit, as the assistant to the regional President. This is where I got my full E&S chops, and a lot of computer and administrative/HR experience. I then went all the way over to the polar opposite of being a company person and began working with the public on the agency side. I decided this was way more fun, and gained a much deeper appreciation of the vital role of the insurance agent as advisor to business owners. This appreciation developed into a keen interest in risk management and risk finance, and I was able to grow that practice over the next decade in my professional development. Prior jobs that have come in handy: litigation support, corporate training and quality management, business management consulting, PR & graphic design, administrative/office, retail sales, door-to-door fundraising, volunteer coordination, event planning, photography, cinematography. Show less

Commercial Lines Producer

• Apr 2015 - Oct 2021

Commercial Lines Producer and Risk Management Consultant. Founded the Film/Arts/ Entertainment Division. Leader in transition to new agency management system. Duties include Commercial Lines sales production and claims handling for target classes of Manufacturing, Technology, Healthcare/Medical Malpractice, Hospitality, Habitational, Cannabis, and Film/Arts/ Entertainment. Frequent panel speaker on insurance and risk management issues ranging from Post- Covid Productions, to Intellectual… Show more Commercial Lines Producer and Risk Management Consultant. Founded the Film/Arts/ Entertainment Division. Leader in transition to new agency management system. Duties include Commercial Lines sales production and claims handling for target classes of Manufacturing, Technology, Healthcare/Medical Malpractice, Hospitality, Habitational, Cannabis, and Film/Arts/ Entertainment. Frequent panel speaker on insurance and risk management issues ranging from Post- Covid Productions, to Intellectual Property and Professional Liability for Engineers. Authored articles for internal and external newsletters, social media, online magazines and trade publications. Show less Commercial Lines Producer and Risk Management Consultant. Founded the Film/Arts/ Entertainment Division. Leader in transition to new agency management system. Duties include Commercial Lines sales production and claims handling for target classes of Manufacturing, Technology, Healthcare/Medical Malpractice, Hospitality, Habitational, Cannabis, and Film/Arts/ Entertainment. Frequent panel speaker on insurance and risk management issues ranging from Post- Covid Productions, to Intellectual… Show more Commercial Lines Producer and Risk Management Consultant. Founded the Film/Arts/ Entertainment Division. Leader in transition to new agency management system. Duties include Commercial Lines sales production and claims handling for target classes of Manufacturing, Technology, Healthcare/Medical Malpractice, Hospitality, Habitational, Cannabis, and Film/Arts/ Entertainment. Frequent panel speaker on insurance and risk management issues ranging from Post- Covid Productions, to Intellectual Property and Professional Liability for Engineers. Authored articles for internal and external newsletters, social media, online magazines and trade publications. Show less

Underwriting Administrative Assistant/Rainier Underwriting

• Aug 2011 - Apr 2015

Underwriting Administrative Assistant for Red Shield & Rainier Insurance. Worked directly with the General Underwriting Manager in product development, forms development and case law research. Analyzed loss trends, implemented an internal quality development program, authored articles for monthly marketing newsletter and drafted white papers addressing specific underwriting concerns or analyzing new program opportunities. Transferred in December 2012 to Rainier Insurance to join the… Show more Underwriting Administrative Assistant for Red Shield & Rainier Insurance. Worked directly with the General Underwriting Manager in product development, forms development and case law research. Analyzed loss trends, implemented an internal quality development program, authored articles for monthly marketing newsletter and drafted white papers addressing specific underwriting concerns or analyzing new program opportunities. Transferred in December 2012 to Rainier Insurance to join the underwriting team in the Excess & Surplus Lines unit, focusing on premium growth and marketing for program business. Show less Underwriting Administrative Assistant for Red Shield & Rainier Insurance. Worked directly with the General Underwriting Manager in product development, forms development and case law research. Analyzed loss trends, implemented an internal quality development program, authored articles for monthly marketing newsletter and drafted white papers addressing specific underwriting concerns or analyzing new program opportunities. Transferred in December 2012 to Rainier Insurance to join the… Show more Underwriting Administrative Assistant for Red Shield & Rainier Insurance. Worked directly with the General Underwriting Manager in product development, forms development and case law research. Analyzed loss trends, implemented an internal quality development program, authored articles for monthly marketing newsletter and drafted white papers addressing specific underwriting concerns or analyzing new program opportunities. Transferred in December 2012 to Rainier Insurance to join the underwriting team in the Excess & Surplus Lines unit, focusing on premium growth and marketing for program business. Show less

Agent/Producer

• Nov 2006 - Aug 2011

Agent/Producer for Commercial Lines. Developed lead base for target classes of business through direct mail campaigns and cold prospecting. Designed all marketing materials and negotiated new contracts with carriers. Developed a diversified book of business to complement Waller’s existing book, specializing in hard-to-place risks and select brokerage/company relationships. Primary target risks in manufacturing, hospitality, contractors, and professional services offices. Agent/Producer for Commercial Lines. Developed lead base for target classes of business through direct mail campaigns and cold prospecting. Designed all marketing materials and negotiated new contracts with carriers. Developed a diversified book of business to complement Waller’s existing book, specializing in hard-to-place risks and select brokerage/company relationships. Primary target risks in manufacturing, hospitality, contractors, and professional services offices.

Owner

• Oct 2006 - Aug 2011

I was pleased to develop a health & safety program including a return-to-work program for a local manufacturer. Our challenge here was first to decrease the number of incidents and injuries at the workplace, and to empower the production, QC and warehouse staff to continuously improve the work environment for all team members. This was a bi-lingual workplace, so facilitating communications and expanding participation was another of our stated goals. I consulted with a patent engineer… Show more I was pleased to develop a health & safety program including a return-to-work program for a local manufacturer. Our challenge here was first to decrease the number of incidents and injuries at the workplace, and to empower the production, QC and warehouse staff to continuously improve the work environment for all team members. This was a bi-lingual workplace, so facilitating communications and expanding participation was another of our stated goals. I consulted with a patent engineer to review all current patents, IP contracts, licensing agreements, and put in place best practices for IP protection including insurance mechanisms for risk financing. The challenge here was capitalizing on and protecting the value of his Intellectual Property in an international manufacturing environment. Cultural differences and a certain amount of pure business risk were part of the equation, which made the risk profiling and risk tolerance mapping critical to making sound business decisions. Another client was in the food products industry. The first order of the day was to review current insurance coverages, and then to develop a more comprehensive plan to address the potential risks arising from spoilage/contamination/tampering, transportation/cargo, and product recall costs and logistics. The client planned to expand their offerings in the market with new products, and our goal was to have this infrastructure in place to support their expansion. I also worked with a small press book publisher regarding clearing rights for content for both solicited and unsolicited materials in online & offline media. I reviewed the existing EULA (end user license agreement) for the website and advised on a number of contractual matters to help further limit the company's potential liability. I developed an IP protection plan in conjunction with local counsel to address copyright, trademark and IP/data security, and helped with the procurement of the appropriate insurance. Show less I was pleased to develop a health & safety program including a return-to-work program for a local manufacturer. Our challenge here was first to decrease the number of incidents and injuries at the workplace, and to empower the production, QC and warehouse staff to continuously improve the work environment for all team members. This was a bi-lingual workplace, so facilitating communications and expanding participation was another of our stated goals. I consulted with a patent engineer… Show more I was pleased to develop a health & safety program including a return-to-work program for a local manufacturer. Our challenge here was first to decrease the number of incidents and injuries at the workplace, and to empower the production, QC and warehouse staff to continuously improve the work environment for all team members. This was a bi-lingual workplace, so facilitating communications and expanding participation was another of our stated goals. I consulted with a patent engineer to review all current patents, IP contracts, licensing agreements, and put in place best practices for IP protection including insurance mechanisms for risk financing. The challenge here was capitalizing on and protecting the value of his Intellectual Property in an international manufacturing environment. Cultural differences and a certain amount of pure business risk were part of the equation, which made the risk profiling and risk tolerance mapping critical to making sound business decisions. Another client was in the food products industry. The first order of the day was to review current insurance coverages, and then to develop a more comprehensive plan to address the potential risks arising from spoilage/contamination/tampering, transportation/cargo, and product recall costs and logistics. The client planned to expand their offerings in the market with new products, and our goal was to have this infrastructure in place to support their expansion. I also worked with a small press book publisher regarding clearing rights for content for both solicited and unsolicited materials in online & offline media. I reviewed the existing EULA (end user license agreement) for the website and advised on a number of contractual matters to help further limit the company's potential liability. I developed an IP protection plan in conjunction with local counsel to address copyright, trademark and IP/data security, and helped with the procurement of the appropriate insurance. Show less

Board Member

• 2010 - 2011

Outreach, marketing, insurance advice for special events. Outreach, marketing, insurance advice for special events.

Commercial Lines Producer & Select Accounts Department Manager

• Dec 2002 - Aug 2006

Averaged 12-15% revenue growth and tripled contingency commissions over three years for the department. Generated fee income as a consultant doing disaster recovery & business continuance planning, claims handling and risk management for healthcare and manufacturing clients with international business dealings. Negotiated a specialty appointment for logging/lumbering/wood products. Recognized as a leader in office automation; achieved a “paperless” environment for Select and served on the… Show more Averaged 12-15% revenue growth and tripled contingency commissions over three years for the department. Generated fee income as a consultant doing disaster recovery & business continuance planning, claims handling and risk management for healthcare and manufacturing clients with international business dealings. Negotiated a specialty appointment for logging/lumbering/wood products. Recognized as a leader in office automation; achieved a “paperless” environment for Select and served on the “Paperlite” committee, presenting our findings to Board members to proceed with the paperless initiative in Commercial Lines. Duties included Commercial Lines production for target classes of Healthcare/Medical Malpractice, Manufacturing, and High Tech. Show less Averaged 12-15% revenue growth and tripled contingency commissions over three years for the department. Generated fee income as a consultant doing disaster recovery & business continuance planning, claims handling and risk management for healthcare and manufacturing clients with international business dealings. Negotiated a specialty appointment for logging/lumbering/wood products. Recognized as a leader in office automation; achieved a “paperless” environment for Select and served on the… Show more Averaged 12-15% revenue growth and tripled contingency commissions over three years for the department. Generated fee income as a consultant doing disaster recovery & business continuance planning, claims handling and risk management for healthcare and manufacturing clients with international business dealings. Negotiated a specialty appointment for logging/lumbering/wood products. Recognized as a leader in office automation; achieved a “paperless” environment for Select and served on the “Paperlite” committee, presenting our findings to Board members to proceed with the paperless initiative in Commercial Lines. Duties included Commercial Lines production for target classes of Healthcare/Medical Malpractice, Manufacturing, and High Tech. Show less

Agent/Producer for Commercial Lines

• Sep 1999 - Dec 2002

Agent/Producer for Commercial Lines. Developed lead base for target classes of business through direct mail campaigns and cold prospecting. Designed all marketing materials and negotiated new contracts with carriers. Developed a diversified book of business to complement Waller’s existing book, specializing in hard-to-place risks and select brokerage/company relationships. Primary target risks in manufacturing, hospitality, contractors, and professional services offices. Agent/Producer for Commercial Lines. Developed lead base for target classes of business through direct mail campaigns and cold prospecting. Designed all marketing materials and negotiated new contracts with carriers. Developed a diversified book of business to complement Waller’s existing book, specializing in hard-to-place risks and select brokerage/company relationships. Primary target risks in manufacturing, hospitality, contractors, and professional services offices.