ALBANY, NY OFFICE

Best's Recommended Insurance Adjusters

Stephen G. Ciurczak, CPCU

General Manager

Poughkeepsie, NY

Years of Experience: 32

Stephen began his adjusting career in 1985 with Aetna Life and Casualty, Commercial Claims Division and The Travelers Group of Insurance Companies. Stephen has handled all lines of property and casualty claims throughout his career and has held the positions of General Adjuster, Property Supervisor, Property Re-inspector, and Analyst during his years with Aetna/Travelers. Stephen joined Fort Orange Claim Service in 1997 as a Branch Manager and became the General Manager and Vice President in 2006.

He is CPCU and has earned designations in Associates in Claims Management, Risk Management, Loss Control Management, Marine Insurance, and Reinsurance.

Memberships:

• CML
• Buffalo, Albany and Mid-Hudson Claims Associations
• The Society of CPCU

Education:

• State University of New York at Plattsburgh

Michael Sherman

General Adjuster

Poughkeepsie, NY

Years of Experience: 33

"Mickey" began his career as an insurance adjuster in 1984 with The Hartford as a Claims Representative. He became a General Adjuster with Aetna Casualty, before working with The Travelers Insurance Company as a Technical Specialist. Michael has been a part of the adjusting team at Fort Orange Claim Service since 2002, where he holds the position of Sr. General Adjuster. He is highly experienced in estimating and proficient with Xactimate.

Certifications:

• NFIP Certified

Education:

• Siena College

Kerry Loughman, CPCU

General Adjuster

Springfield, MA

Years of Experience: 39

Kerry has been in the adjusting field since 1978 beginning with Merchants Mutual Insurance Company where he worked as an assigned risk No-Fault adjuster. He moved to the Albany office of Merchants Mutual as a personal lines adjuster for both automobile and homeowner's claims. Kerry worked with Metropolitan Property and Casualty, and Utica National Insurance Company. At Utica National, he held supervisory positions as a Senior Property and General Liability Claim Supervisor. In 2006, Kerry joined the Clifton Park Branch of Fort Orange Claim Service as a multi-line adjuster. He also holds multiple state adjusting licenses.

Education:

• Saint Michael's College, B.A.
• Boston University Graduate School, AIC/CPCU

Michael Brown

General Adjuster

Queensbury & Plattsburgh, NY

Years of Experience: 18

Michael began his adjusting career in 1999 with the CNA Insurance Companies. His tenure began as an auto adjuster. In 2002, he accepted a position as a multi-line field adjuster with Erie Insurance. He experienced high volume claim handling as a Catastrophe Adjuster. Mike joined Fort Orange Claim Service in 2012 and is licensed as a General Adjuster in multiple states.

Memberships:

• CLM
• Utica and Albany Claims Associations

Certifications:

• Haag Certified Commercial and Residential Roof Inspector
• NFIP Certified

Education:

• State University of New York at Oneonta, B.S.

Matthew D. Sherman

General Adjuster

Springfield, MA

Matthew began his adjusting career in 2004 as a multi-line adjuster with LaMarche & Associates. He joined Fort Orange Claims Unlimited Services as a general adjuster in 2008. He is highly experienced in estimating and proficient with Xactimate.

Memberships:

• CLM
• Albany and Utica Claim Associations

Certifications:

• Haag Certified Roof Inspector

Education:

• Saint Peter's College, B.S.

Dan Cole

Adjuster

Years of Experience: 6

Daniel began his adjusting career in 2011 with Allstate Insurance Company. He utilized a 12 year career in the construction industry where he gained experience in underground construction, home improvement and general construction. He is highly experienced in estimating and proficient with Xactimate.

Memberships:

• CLM
• Albany Claims Association

Certifications:

• NFIP Certified

Education:

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, B.A. Communications

Donald Towsky

General Adjuster

Long Island, NY

Years of Experience: 16

Donald began his adjusting career in 2001 with Crawford & Company. He joined Fort Orange Claim Service in 2010 where he utilized a 16 year career in the construction industry. He is highly experienced in estimating and proficient with Xactimate.

Memberships:

• CLM

Certifications:

• NFIP Certified

Education:

• Nassau Community College
• Pratt Institute

Kevin Head

Adjuster

Utica, NY

Years of Experience: 7

Kevin began his insurance career in 2010 as a Property & Casualty Agent marketing insurance at an Independent Agency. He made the transition into claims handling in 2013 as an adjuster for Leatherstocking Insurance. He has a vast construction background working for a general contracting company. His experience in ground-up construction allows him to efficiently handle property losses.

Memberships:

• Utica Claims Association
• CLM

Michael LaValla

Adjuster

Utica, NY

Years of Experience: 3

Michael began his career with Fort Orange Claim Service in 2015. He has experience working for a general contractor and utilized his previous 8 years in the residential and commercial construction industry gaining experience in all aspects of residential and commercial construction and estimating. He has attended Xactimate training to enhance his skills.

Memberships:

• Utica Claims Association
• CLM

Education:

• College of Saint Rose

Mark Felschow

Adjuster

Queensbury & Plattsburgh, NY

Years of Experience: 4

Mark began his adjusting career in 2013 as a multi-line adjuster at Insurance Adjustment Service. He joined Fort Orange Claim Service in 2015 and is a licensed adjuster in multiple states.

Memberships:

• CLM

Education:

• Elmira College
• Assumption College

Nathan Mallinder

Adjuster

Watertown, NY

Nathan began his career in the insurance industry with the New York Life Insurance Company in January of 2015 as a licensed agent specializing in multiple financial products. He joined Fort Orange Claim Service as a licensed adjuster in 2015.

Memberships:

• CLM
• Utica Claims Association

Education:

• St. Lawrence University

Patrick Young

Regional General Adjuster

Utica, NY

Years of Experience: 11

Patrick began his adjusting career in 2006 with Fort Orange Claims Unlimited Services. He earned a degree in Paramedic/Science and worked at Kunkel Ambulance Service as a paramedic and field supervisor managing a staff up to 30 employees. He is experienced in estimating and with Xactimate. He is proficient in and excels as our Large Loss adjuster handling directly and supervising multi-million dollar claims.

Memberships:

• Utica (Past President), Syracuse and Buffalo Claim Associations
• CLM

Certifications:

• Haag Certified Roof Inspector

Education:

• State University of New York at Buffalo
• Utica College

Alan W. Young

Branch Manager

Syracuse, NY

Years of Experience: 31

Alan began his adjusting career in 1979 accepting a position with GAB Business Services. He held the position of adjuster until he became a Senior Adjuster and Liability Supervisor. After leaving GAB, he was employed by Fort Orange Claim Service as an Adjuster-in-Charge, and promoted to Branch Manager of the Syracuse Branch. He also was an Adjunct Professor of Insurance at Utica College of Syracuse University.

Memberships:

• CLM Buffalo
• Utica and Syracuse Claims Associations
• The SIU Association of New York

Education:

• Utica College, B.S.

John Cook, CPCU

Rochester & Buffalo, NY

John began his claim handling career in 1989 as a personal lines claim representative with Aetna Insurance in Rochester, New York. When Travelers purchased Aetna in 1993, John moved into the commercial claim field, handling a mix of the homeowner and commercial claims. From 1998 to 2016 John worked as a commercial claim specialist with Nationwide Insurance, covering western New York and northern Pennsylvania, adjusting a wide range of claims including large and complex commercial, business, and agribusiness first and third party matters. John graduated from St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, NY with a BS degree in Business Management with a finance concentration. In 1997 he earned his CPCU designation through his alma mater. John is pleased to be a member of Fort Orange Claim Service where he now serves as a multi-line general adjuster covering the western New York region.

Michael Schell

Syracuse & Utica, NY

Michael obtained his higher education degree from SUNY Delhi where he graduated with an AAS in Architecture. Michael began his career in the mobile/modular home industry where he worked in all aspects of home construction, set up and service. Moving on to an active duty enlistment in the U.S. Army, he performed as a Field Artillery Surveyor and later as a Combat Engineer in the U.S. Army reserves, with deployments to Saudi Arabia and Iraq during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He performed as a Drill Sergeant for 14 years with the U.S. Army Reserves before retiring as a 1st Sgt in 2013. From Active duty U.S. Army, Michael began a 20+ year career with the New York State Police with postings in Plattsburgh, Morrisville, Herkimer, Tarrytown and Schuyler before retiring as a Sergeant in 2018. Looking for a new career direction after retirement, Fort Orange Claims provided the perfect fit and developmental opportunity. Michael obtained his insurance adjusters license in 2017 and has continued to further his skills with Xactimate training. He is a current member of The SIU Association of New York and CLM.

Charles Stewart

Elmira, NY

Chuck has been in the insurance adjusting field since 1975 beginning as a Multi-Line Adjuster and Auto Appraiser with Crawford & Company. He became a Kemper Insurance Staff Adjuster/Auto Appraiser and was part of the Kemper 1985 CAT Team during Hurricane Gloria on Long Island. In 1988, Chuck accepted a position with the Risk Management Department at New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) where he held several key positions during his tenure. He was promoted to Risk Management Coordinator and Supervisor of Insurance and Claims, as well as Supervisor of Real Estate Services and Records Management. Chuck joined Arbitrage Adjusting Services in January, 2008 specializing in liability, casualty and utility-related claims. He holds this same specialized position with Fort Orange Claims since the merger of the companies in January, 2016. Chuck is a graduate of Broome Community College with an AAS degree Marketing/Management and matriculated with a BS in Business Administration from Bethel University, McKenzie, TN. Chuck has been trained at many levels throughout his insurance career and holds New York State General Adjuster, Casualty, Auto, Appraiser and Broker's licenses. Chuck is a present member and former Chairman of the NYS Gas & Electric Claim Managers Association. He will continue his association with AEGIS Claims Association and CLM.

John Fendorak CPCU, SCLA, CIC

Asst. Vice President-Marketing Director, Large Loss

John began his insurance claim career in 1978 at Chubb & Son, Inc. in a variety of field, staff, and regional management positions in Westchester, Houston, Long Island, NYC, and Albany. John then joined Crawford & Company as a Supervising General Adjuster, providing Property claims leadership over field offices from Virginia to Maine. John served as VP-Director of Claims Management at the regional insurance agency, Rose & Kiernan, Inc. for close to 15 years before joining FOCUS Adjusters as the Assistant Vice President - Marketing, Director - Large Loss. John holds a Bachelors of Business Administration degree from Iona College, is a licensed General Adjuster in the States of New York and Vermont, has secured his CPCU, SCLA Gold, and CIC designations, and recently served on the Agency Claims Advisory Board for a national insurance company.

Charles Hanley

Charles began his insurance adjusting career with Fort Orange Claims Services in 2019. He is a USN veteran, serving during operation Enduring Freedom in the Persian Gulf before working in higher education. He has experience with home improvement, repair, and construction allowing him to proficiently assess property claims. Charles has completed training programs with Insurance Schools Inc., Mile High Adjusters, Adjuster Pro Xactimate, and the Adjusters Insurance school. He studied at Regent University and Excelsior college.

Joseph R. Farnham, Jr.

Executive General Adjuster

Joseph began his Independent Insurance Adjusting career in 1984 with GAB Business Services in Upstate New York, operating their Johnstown, New York branch office until October of 1988. From 1988 to 2006, he worked for Fort Orange Claim Service as a General Adjuster and Branch Manager in Utica, New York. He was promoted with FOCUS as their Regional General Adjuster working at the Home Office in Clifton Park, New York before deciding to pursue a lifelong dream of being a business owner. Joseph opened J.R. Farnham Claim Service. Joseph has the vast experience and expertise to handle complicated and large residential and commercial property losses. Joseph graduated from East Stroudsburg State University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. Joseph attended several GAB Intermediate and Advanced Property and Casualty Schools. Joseph earned the Associate in Claims (AIC) designation in 1995 and is continuing course work toward the coveted CPCU designation. Joseph has been a longtime member of the Utica Claims Association and is a current member of the New York Association of Independent Adjusters. He is a NAIIA Certified Appraiser/Umpire.

Brian Hansen

Brian began his adjusting career in 2007 with Arbitrage Adjusting Services, Inc. where he served as an adjuster in the Albany office. Brian continued his adjusting career with Homesite Insurance and McNeil & Company before joining Fort Orange Claim Service in 2017. Brian's experience with both residential and commercial claims has enhanced his ability to handle claims of all coverage lines. Brian graduated from LeMoyne College with a BA in Criminal Justice. Brian has completed training at Vale Technical School and the ILX Construction Training with Xactware. Brian is also NFIP Certified.

Daryll Jones

Daryll began his adjusting career in 1998 by accepting a No Fault adjuster position with the American Transit Insurance Company. After years of growing and gaining extensive experience with American Transit, Daryll sought a new opportunity with Crawford & Company as a Multi-line Adjuster. Daryll took his skills and experience to new heights by becoming an independent adjuster specializing in casualty/property claims all while exploring a new facet in Federal background investigations. It was not long before this new arena became a specialty for him and afforded him the opportunity to become trained on many new levels involving the investigative field. Daryll holds a New York State General Adjuster, Casualty and Auto license.

Daryll is a graduate of Colorado Technical University with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. Throughout his career, he has completed several training courses including Professional Private Investigations, Advanced Casualty & Property and is proficient in Xactimate.

Eugene Pachetti

Geno began his career as an adjuster with Foremost Insurance Company. He joined Fort Orange Claim ServiceInc. in 2018. He has experience handling Catastrophe Claims and high volume weather events. He is highly experienced in estimating and proficient with Xactimate. Geno graduated from Buffalo State College with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice before entering the insurance industry. He is a member of the Buffalo Claims Association.