The Latest News on Workers’ Compensation Law
On January 22, 2010, the Tennessee Legislature suspended portions of Workers Compensation law related to contractors (PC1041) until March 28, 2011.
If and when the new law is reinstated it will require all individuals, engaged in the construction industry, including sole proprietors and partners, to procure workers’ compensation insurance coverage on themselves, as well as their employees.
We will keep you informed as soon as the State legislature has determined the final outcome
Bob Metelka Completes Producer School
Tom Strate, President of Strate Insurance Group, announced today that Bob Metelka has received a certificate of completion from the Chubb New Commercial Producer School. The certificate was awarded in Los Angeles at the culmination of an 18-month training program.
The intensive training program developed by Chubb begins with basic insurance knowledge and progresses to increasingly more involved details of specific types of coverage. The program is designed to incorporate classroom instruction, online study, webinar sessions, and mentoring via teleconference.
Metelka reflected, “It was a difficult and challenging course, but the advantages it provided me were well worth the investment. I use the knowledge from the course daily as I work with my clients and develop customized solutions to their individual business needs.”
Bob, a native of Maryville, brought a great deal of Public Relations, Sales, and Marketing experience with him as he joined the Strate team. He has worked as a District Executive for the Boy Scouts of America where he was active in the growth of the Scouting program in Hamblen, Cocke, Jefferson, and Grainger counties. He was responsible for program development, along with public relations and fund raising events. During his personal participation in the scouting program, Bob earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
Bob received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications, Public Relations, along with a minor in Business Administration from The University of Tennessee in May 2004. He received various honors and was an active member of PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America). Currently he is a member of the Morristown Kiwanis Club, Mission of Hope and has other professional affiliations.
Bob joined Strate Insurance Group in April 2008 as a Business Insurance Representative. “We are very pleased to have Bob on our team. He is a quick learner and has put his new knowledge to work,” said Tom Strate. The basis of our business insurance model is risk management.
Bob resides in Strawberry Plains, TN with his wife, Sally, and new daughter, Aubrey.
Strate Insurance Group is a Trusted Choice insurance agency offering Insurance, Risk Management and Employee Benefit services since 1978.
Lois Hannold Awarded CEBS
Lois Hannold, Benefits Consultant with Strate Insurance Group, Inc., has been designated a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS®) by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Hannold qualified for the designation by passing a series of college level national examinations on employee benefit subjects, and by meeting and attesting to high standards of business and professional conduct. Hannold is one of more than 11,000 graduates. She is also a member of the National Society of Industry Professionals.
Tom Strate, President of Strate Insurance Group said, “We are proud to have two Certified Employee Benefit Specialists on our Benefits Team. Lois Hannold and Tom Porter, our V.P. of Employee Benefits, both now hold the highly regarded CEBS ® credential. We are confident that the qualifications of our Benefits Team give us a real edge in the provision of value to our customers.”
The 2010 National CEBS® Conferment Ceremony will take place during the Annual Symposium of the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists in Charlotte, North Carolina in October.
Lois joined Strate Insurance Group in January as a Benefits Consultant. She began her career over 20 years ago in the insurance industry with experience in customer service and underwriting. She then held the position of Benefits Consultant at a national Professional Employer Organization where her focus was the area of employee benefit compliance and administration for over 20,000 client employees.?
Lois was also awarded the designation of Compensation Management Specialist (CMS) from the International Foundation and the Wharton School through additional studies offered by the CEBS® Program.
Before relocating to Tennessee in 2008, Lois was an Employee Benefits Administrator for a prominent international law firm headquartered in Chicago, IL. She and her husband, Bruce, currently reside in Newport.
Strate Insurance Group is a Trusted Choice insurance agency offering Insurance, Risk Management and Employee Benefit services since 1978.
