From intern to area president
From intern to area president | Insurance Business America
Insurance News
From intern to area president
One man has taken an inspiring path with a brokerage giant
Insurance News
By
Emily Douglas
Adam J. Mazan’s story with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. is not just about climbing the corporate ladder; it’s a tale of passion, dedication, and the power of relationships. As the area president for Southern California, Mazan’s journey is a testament to the company’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of growth and collaboration.
“[I’ve been in insurance] for the past 18 years and then actually interned at their then corporate headquarters in Itasca, IL back in 03 and 04. So, to date myself a little bit…” Mazan (pictured) began, reminiscing about his early days. A chance conversation at a family BBQ led him to an internship opportunity with Gallagher. Despite his initial aspirations in real estate and finance, the world of insurance beckoned.
Rising the insurance ranks
Moving to Southern California in 2005, Mazan’s dedication saw him rise through the ranks, leading various branches and eventually taking over the Pacific region, encompassing diverse offices from Hawaii to Sacramento, each with unique offerings and challenges.
When asked about his recent endeavors, Mazan chuckled: “I’m the proud wearer of three different hats.” He speaks of his roles with pride, detailing the growth strategies and targets set for the Pacific region. “When I started, we were probably about $25 million revenue operational in, and we sat down as a leadership group and said, ‘alright, we’re trying to get it to $100 million by 2029’.”
Central to this vision is the nurturing of talent. Gallagher’s robust intern program stands testament to this commitment.
“We had five interns in our Southern California office this year, and two of them already accepted their full-time offers… And when I look across the office here, in between Orange County and LA, I think we have 10 or 11 former interns,” he said.
Mazan also emphasized the strategic importance of mergers and acquisitions. Expanding into areas like Sacramento and San Diego was not just about increasing its footprint but also about integrating unique product lines that complemented existing services.
Solving the pain points
On the product side, innovation is key. Mazan discussed the development of a casualty sidecar facility aimed at streamlining the underwriting process. “We’re always trying to think about what are our clients’ biggest pain points are… how do we simplify that process?” he said.
But beyond business strategies and product development, the heart of Gallagher, according to Mazan, lies in its culture. He speaks fondly of the camaraderie among employees, the emphasis on teamwork, and the unique culture in each office. “When you look across the country in any organization that’s our size… The biggest difference is the individual culture between office to office.”
Mazan’s passion for fostering a positive work environment is evident. From hosting holiday parties to encouraging team-building activities, he believes in creating a space where employees want to be.
“It’s fun to see,” he said. “I think I had a problem before most in terms of middle of COVID. I had people begging to go back in the office… We went down to 18 desks and I’m overloaded most days because people just want to be here.”
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