DawsonTouch PointsTouch PointsFall 2014a publication of Dawson Insurance

Rebuilding the DreamJalon and Myron Martinson of Mill Creek Custom Cabinets are experts not only in custom cabinetry, but also in resiliency, faith, and relationships.

Jalon Martinson and his father, Myron Martinson, of Mill Creek Custom Cabinets

2 TouchPoints • Fall 2014

President’sMessage

Txting & Drving… It Can Wait

By Tom Dawson

Coming up with a subject for this column is not always easy. One of our Dawson associates suggested that I write about something that

I’m passionate about, so here goes: I’m passionate about stopping people from texting while driving. I simply don’t get it!

What can be so important that it can’t wait until a person gets to his/her destination or the next stop to ask a question, provide an answer, check Facebook, or simply chat? The answer is simple. Nothing is that important.

We have all been behind people who are swerving a bit, and as we pass them, they put down their phone. We have all seen people driving with one hand on the wheel and one on their phone. And we have all experienced people who are late taking off from a stoplight because they need to finish texting. A couple of weeks ago I was driving alongside a delivery vehicle. The driver had both hands at the top of the steering wheel, holding her phone and texting while supposedly driving.

We have all seen the alarming statistics and read the tragic stories that are the result of texting and driving. In fact, in the last few weeks there have been at least two articles in The Forum reporting fatalities allegedly as a result of texting and driving.

So what do we do? First of all, we talk to our children and family members who text and drive. And we tell them to stop. Immediately. When we experience our co-workers and friends texting and driving, we tell them to stop. Immediately. We tell people about using #X before they drive to let people know that they cannot respond (visit www.itcanwait.com to learn more). We tell them there are several apps related to preventing texting and driving (Google “apps for not texting while driving”).

Whatever we do, we do something – including pledging ourselves to never ever text and drive again. Texting while driving is taking lives. Whatever the message is, it can wait. D

President’sMessage

Personal LinePersonal Lines

With Fargo’s new 100-year floodplain map taking effect

January 16, 2015, attention has turned again to flood insurance. Property owners affected by the remapping may be required by their mortgage companies to carry flood insurance.

The new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) map sets the 100-year flood stage on the Red River in Fargo at 39.4 feet, up from the current level of 38.5 feet. The biggest impacts in the city are south of Interstate 94 and north of Hector International Airport.

A preliminary floodplain map is available at www.cityoffargo.com/Maps/PreliminaryFloodplainMap.aspx and enables property owners to see if their property is within the floodplain. After reviewing the map, property owners should contact their mortgage company to discuss flood insurance requirements.

If you have questions about the new floodplain map and/or flood insurance, contact your Dawson Insurance account manager at 800-220-4514. D

Be Informed and Prepared: Flood Remapping

Website Updated to Serve You Better

We recently r e v a m p e d our web-

site to provide a better customer experience. Visit dawsonins.com to see the updates:

• Easy-to-access online chat feature

• Improved search tool

• Mobile responsiveness for easier viewing on mobile devices

• Real-time Facebook feed

• Enhanced team member profiles

We want our website to serve you as best it can, and we value and appreciate your feedback. Connect with us via online chat or call us at 800-220-4514 to share your thoughts and/or suggestions. D

3800.220.4514 • DawsonIns.com

DawsonAssoci

MISC

MISCEstate PlanningCharitable PlanningAlternative Investments

DawsonAssociates

Life &BenefitsLife & Benefits

SALES STAFFTodd Anderson, CPCU, CICDan Armbrust, CIC, CPIA, CPCU, CRISPenny Crowder, CISR, CICTom Dawson, CPCU, CICZack Dawson, CICGreg DunnBrandi HedinRyan Hoffman, CPCU, AIC, ARMMark Julik, CIC, CRISJay Kleingartner, CICWayne Lauwers, CICJim NyhofDexter PetersMatt Peterson, CICRoger Peterson, CICNatalie Schultz, AIC, CPCUSteve Winter, CICBen Zietz

ADMINISTRATIONMary Bjerke, CPCUJaclyn HansonSteve Miller, CPAMaria ReinhillerBrooke RogersAngie Wohl

CUSTOMER SUPPORTBONDSBecky HeckerBridget Helm

CLAIMSJill GravelineKathy Richard

COMMERCIAL LINESJoni Alfson, CIC, CPCUKevin Bruggeman, CPCUYves CherubinDonna Christlieb, AU, CICJennifer Davis, CISRAlex DawsonHolly Fitch, CISRCindy FlemingDana GaryJoan Hagen, CISRDeb Johnsen, AUStacy KemerlingLesley KoehlerMelissa Krystosek, CICKaren LundbergMariah RudJen Rudnicki, CISR, CICMatthew WeisDar Zimmerman, CIC

FINANCIAL SERVICESEvonne Johnson, INS

PERSONAL LINESKendra AhlquistConnie BertramGrant EllisStacey Frolek, CISRRaeanna McCollumCrystal Rosen

Financing Your FutureFinancial Security Starts with a Foundation

Creating a financial plan without protecting yourself against the unexpected has been compared to building a beautiful mansion on sticks of wood.

No matter how much wealth you accumulate, it’s a good idea to consider what your plan is built upon, or it can easily collapse.

A sound financial plan looks a lot like a pyramid and consists of three parts: Protection against life’s uncertainties, growing your investments, and managing your retirement and estate. Here are some things to consider when you build the foundation of your financial plan:

• Emergency Savings – Many financial professionals say you should always have enough money on hand to pay everyday living expenses for three to six months. Ideally, emergency savings should be in savings, checking, and money market accounts because they provide easy, penalty-free access.

• Insurance – Insurance forms the underpinning of your financial plan.

• Life insurance helps protect your family and loved ones against financial difficulties in the event of your premature death.

• Disability insurance replaces lost income in the event you become ill or disabled and can’t work.

• Health insurance helps pay for the ever-increasing costs of medical care.

• Long-term care insurance goes beyond medical care to include assistance you could need if a chronic illness or disability leaves you unable to care for yourself for an extended period of time.

• Property/casualty insurance provides protection for property such as homes, ve-hicles, and household possessions, in addition to protection from liability as a result of their use.

The Dawson Insurance Life & Benefits team can help you create a strong foundation to ensure your family’s financial security, no matter what road bumps you hit along life’s journey. For more information, visit www.dawsonins.com > Our Team > Life & Benefits, email info@ dawsonins.com, or call 800-220-4514. D

Portions of this article were origi-nally published by National Asso-ciation of Insur-ance and Fi-nancial  Advisors, http://www. naifa.org.

RISK MANAGEMENT Long Term Care Insurance Life Insurance

Disability Insurance Homeowners Insurance

RETIREMENTTraditional IRA

401(k) 403(b) Roth IRA SEP IRA

INVESTMENTS Mutual Funds Stocks

Bonds Annuities 529 Plans

CASH Savings Checking Money Market CDs

4 TouchPoints • Fall 2014

Client Spotlight Client Spotlight Client SpotlightClient Spotlight

Mill Creek Custom Cabinets

Dawson Client Since: 2010

Founded: 2000

Location: Moorhead, Minnesota

Number of employees: 16

www.millcreekcustomcabinets.com (being updated at time of publication)

www.facebook.com > Mill Creek Custom Cabinetry

As the owners of Mill Creek Custom Cabinets in Moorhead, Minnesota, Jalon Martinson and his father, Myron Martinson, have watched their dreams become reality. And they’ve watched them come crashing—or more specifically, burning—down.

Building – and Rebuilding – DreamsThe father-son team of Myron and Jalon Martinson formed Mill Creek Custom

Cabinets nearly 15 years ago in Moorhead, Minnesota. Given their love of cabinetry and their entrepreneurial spirits, founding their own business was a natural fit. “I

was tired of working long hours and nights for someone else rather than myself, and my dad was looking for a career change,” says Jalon. “We decided to go for it.”

Go for it they did, and as is the case with many entrepreneurs, profits in the early years went back into the business, not into their pockets. The duo worked to pay off debt and invest in equipment that would set their business apart from the competition. “Our craftsmen focus more on the detailed woodworking craftsmanship, not the repetitive

cuts that are a necessary component of cabinet making,” explains Jalon. “As such, we invest heavily in cutting-edge equipment that produces more quality and consistent parts. Doing so allows our craftsmen to concentrate on what they do best: Create works of art that last for generations.” The staff is guided by the Mill Creek principle of quality: If a craftsman wouldn’t put the cabinet is his own house, it’s not going in anyone else’s.

The majority of Mill Creek’s business comes from new construction, with the company working directly with area contractors and architects. “We have incredibly loyal relationships with our contractors and architects, and it’s important to us to build on those relationships,” Jalon says.

The phrase “loyal relationships” took on an entirely new meaning following a fire at Mill Creek in the early hours of April 19, 2013. Jalon was on the scene shortly after firefighters arrived. “Knowing that no one was hurt, my thoughts turned to how we were going to fulfill our

contracts and to the completed jobs sitting in the shop, waiting to be installed, that were now unusable,” recalls Jalon. “I didn’t want to let our trade partners and their customers down. Slowly, as the day went on, my thoughts turned to how we were going to pay for everything.”

Myron and the Mill Creek team joined Jalon at the fire scene, and together they surveyed the damage. Almost in disbelief, Myron and Jalon stared at their fallen dreams.

“Dan (Armbrust) from Dawson came over, and I remember him

saying not to worry, that we had the best coverage we could get,” remembers Jalon. “At the time, it sort of went in one ear and out the other.”

Throughout the day, Jalon contacted architects and build-ers, explaining the situation and mak-ing plans for the in-terim. Everyone, he says, was exception-ally understanding and supportive. Once partners and custom-ers were taken care of, Jalon’s attention focused on the insur-ance claims process. “As we worked

800.220.4514 • DawsonIns.com 5

through claims with insurance adjusters, it became clear that we indeed did have great coverage and a fantastic insurance company (Midwest Family Mutual),” Jalon explains.

“Plus, Dan and Ryan (Hoffman) of Dawson were so helpful in acting as liaisons with the adjusters. They made an incredibly stressful situation much more bearable.”

Two months and many phone calls and meetings later, the building and equipment were deemed a total loss. From there, as Jalon says, he “knew the direction we were going,” and the rebuilding process began. Over the next year, Jalon and Myron purchased new equipment and worked through the construction of their new shop. All the while, business continued as usual—no employees were laid off, no employees went without paychecks, and cabinets continued being built.“Because of our insurance coverage, we were able to set up a temporary location and keep

our commitment we’d made to Heritage Homes, one of our bigger contractors,” says Jalon. “We do up to 65 homes a year for them, and we only missed doing two after the fire.”

Now 18 months later, Mill Creek Custom Cabinets is bigger and better than ever, thanks in part to the trusted relationships the company has with its contractors, architects, and Dawson Insurance. “We’re offering customers more options and choices than before, and

we’re doing it with the most advanced equipment in the area,” Jalon concludes. “Our company is deeply founded in our faith in God, and we trusted Him to get us through this whole ordeal...and He has! We’re really excited about what the future holds.” D

Client Spotlight Client Spotlight Client SpotlightBuilding – and Rebuilding – Dreams

“We have incredibly loyal relationships with our contractors and architects, and it’s important to us to build on

those relationships.” – Jalon Martinson

6 TouchPoints • Fall 2014

Safety Safety SSafetyExtra MiExtra Mile

Cincinnati Financial Earns Forbes Accolades

In April, Forbes released its 2014 list of the 50 Most Trustworthy Financial Companies in America

and recognized Cincinnati Financial, operating through Cincinnati Insurance, for openness and integrity in accounting, governance and management. Cincinnati Financial, named to the list for the fourth consecutive time, received the highest ranking of the large cap companies. Dawson Insurance has proudly represented Cincinnati Insurance since 1997 and views the organization as one of its most valued partners. D

Is Your Safety Committee Profitable?

If you haven’t thought of whether or not your safety committee is profitable, you’re not alone. However, as with any other investment, the goal is to realize a profit from that investment. Managed properly, your safety program can—and should—be a competitive advantage for your business. Common pitfalls that hold committees back from the best results include:

• Unclear roles. Typically we think of committee roles to be chair, secretary, and “everyone else”. In other words, one or two get stuck with all the tasks, while everyone else acts as a sounding board. A better way might be to spread the many safety management responsibilities across the group, with a clear understanding of individual accountability. Examples could be: inspection coordination, abatement oversight, incident investigation management, and claims/light duty management. The list goes on. At the end of the day, committee members find they can accomplish their piece and their regularly assigned duties, with minimal stress.

• Muddled meeting format. If the lengthy, agenda-style type of meeting does not vary at all through the year, you might have a problem. It’s not uncommon for safety committees to turn into a never-ending series of brainstorming sessions. Instead, consider holding one extended strategic meeting to prioritize projects and set goals, one midyear review meeting to adjust strategy as needed, and the remaining meetings to focus on tactical follow-through of larger projects and goals.

• No budget. Like any other business objective, safety projects require time and money. Failing to think and talk about how much things cost can result in bottlenecked performance. Having a number makes life easier for people on both sides of the budget request. With a number in hand, your committee has the ability to be more decisive about its investments. If you’re having trouble selling your number, it’s wise to remember that there is a cost to taking a reactive position on safety.

• Size. Less can be more when starting from scratch. In no instance should there be more than eight committee members. With more members than that, you will find that efficiency decreases, and the group dynamic increases. Consider temporary subcommittees for special projects. Larger employers may have multiple committees that serve individual divisions.

• Failure to orient new members. New members need to understand that the committee is a working group as opposed to a discussion group. It’s important that they understand group norms and committee process. Consider writing a committee member job description to attract the right people.

• Lack of follow-up. Committees can rise and fall on their reputation for doing what they say they will do. Committee leaders should request formal status reports and should review assignments at the end of the meeting to keep everyone on the same

page. Many committee meeting agendas list not only the topic to be discussed, but also the person responsible for seeing the issue through.

For more on how to make your safety committee profitable, contact Matt Weis, client safety coordinator at Dawson Insurance, at

mattw@dawsonins.com or 701-478-6770. D

800.220.4514 • DawsonIns.com 7

Safety Safety SNew Employees New EmNew Employees

Brandi HedinCommercial Lines Producerbrandi@dawsonins.com

Brandi joined Dawson Insurance in March. Prior to that, she worked as a sales representative for Johnson

Brothers Liquor Company. In her current role with Dawson, Brandi enjoys being part of the team and contributing to the success of the company overall.

“At Dawson, everyone takes pride in what they do and in the company as a whole. Each individual plays a vital role in making Dawson a successful business, and I enjoy being a part of that,” Brandi says.

When she isn’t working, Brandi likes spending time with her friends and family (especially her daughter), cooking, shopping, and being outdoors.

Dana GaryAccount Managerdana@dawsonins.com

Dana joined Dawson Insurance in April, with past experience working as a senior casualty adjuster and physical damage claim examiner at area insurance companies. “When I interviewed for my position at Dawson, I felt a sense of community, family, and professionalism,”

says Dana. “I knew from that moment on that I wanted to be a part of the Dawson team.”

Dana has served as a member of the American Family Optimizing Business Operations team, as a management system trainer for the Fargo American Family Insurance branch, and as a mentor for other casualty adjusters. She’s also been actively involved with the Red River Valley Figure Skating Club and Lutheran Church of the Good Shepard.

In her free time, Dana enjoys spending time with her husband, Dean, and their two children. She also enjoys knitting, reading, singing, and cheering on her favorite sports teams.

Dawson 24/7 Online AccessYour insurance information is always available so you can:

• Obtain Certificates of Insurance.

• Print auto ID cards.

• Notify Dawson of a claim or loss.

• View your policy information.

• Make change requests such as address or adding vehicles/drivers. Keep in mind, coverages are not bound until you receive confirmation from our office.

Staff Achievements

Improving Ourselves to Improve Our Service

Brandi Hedin recently completed an intensive two-week conference as part of State Auto’s PaceSet-

ter producer development program. The hands-on training is designed specifically for new commercial lines producers. There

Brooke RogersProject Manager brooke@dawsonins.com

Brooke, who joined the Dawson team in August, was drawn to the company because of the overwhelmingly

positive comments and recommendations she received from friends and family in the F-M area. Prior to Dawson, Brooke worked in a customer service/special projects role

with Athene Annuity and Life Company in West Des Moines, Iowa. She also has experience working as an insurance producer and claims adjuster for Federated Insurance.

“In the short time that I’ve been with Dawson Insurance,” Brooke says, “I can already tell that their focus on hiring and retaining quality people is one area that surely sets us apart from the competition.”

In her free time, Brooke enjoys spending time with family, reading, running, and recreating at the lakes.

Greg DunnCommercial Lines Producergreg@dawsonins.com

Greg became a member of the Dawson Insurance team in August. He previously worked as

a sales executive for Thomson Reuters in Austin, Texas and Eagan, Minnesota and Brady Corporation in Toronto, Ontario. The small business aspect of Dawson, as

well as the company’s great reputation and quality of its leadership, drew Greg to the company.

“Dawson’s commitment to customer service and to the community, as well as its depth of knowledge, sets Dawson apart from the competition,” he says. “I’m happy to be a part of the team.”

Greg and his wife, Jordan, have three children. Outside of work, Greg enjoys ice hockey, tennis, yoga, cross training, studying languages, and spending time at the lake. D

were 38 PaceSetter candidates from across the country, and Brandi finished in the top seven for the x-dating competition and first in her group for the role-playing exer-cise. We recognize and appreciate the com-mitment she has made to become the best insur-ance produc-er she can be and know that with her drive and enthusiasm, she will be successful! D Brandi Hedin

TouchPoints content is for illustration and informational purposes only. Dawson Insurance relies on the accuracy of information provided to us in developing this newsletter. For premium quotes, specific coverage options and other products and services, please contact us.

Dawson Insurance is proud to be a locally-owned, independent agency that provides a full line of property and casualty coverage, as well as life and health benefits, surety and financial services for individuals and businesses. For 97 years, we have been working hard to ensure our customers always come first, both in the services we offer and the protection we provide. Thank you for your business.

Dawson Insurance

721 1st Ave N 5675 26th Ave S PO Box 1958 Fargo, ND 58102 Fargo, ND 58104 Fargo, ND 58107

701-237-3311 | 800-220-4514 | 701-232-4442 (fax)

Unique AdvClaims CorYour Unique Advantage Claims Corner

721 1st Avenue NorthPO Box 1958Fargo, ND 58107

Advocating for You…

At Dawson Insurance, we understand that sometimes the claims process can be time-consuming, stressful, and difficult to navigate,

and we know the special sort of attention the process requires. That’s why we have Claims Advocates, specialists who are there to ease your mind and help you when you need it most. Our Claims Advocates—Jill Graveline and Kathy Richard—work with you one-on-one and are committed to making sure things are done the right way and that your needs are met throughout the entire process.

Jill and Kathy gather necessary information and assist you in filing your insurance claim with the appropriate carrier. After filing, they act as a liaison between you and the insurance company, not only helping to ensure that the process keeps moving in the right direction, but also addressing any questions or concerns you have along the way. For more information, contact Jill or Kathy today at 800-220-4514. D

24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Weekclaims@dawsonins.cominfo@dawsonins.com

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Jill Graveline

Our downtown office will continue to be our agency headquarters.

Watch for our grand opening and ribbon cutting this winter!

Where: 5675 26th Ave South, Fargo (in the Galleria Plaza off of Veterans Blvd)When: December 2014Who: Most of our personal lines (auto/home) agents and account managers.

We’re Opening a Second Fargo Location!