In the average welding shop, you鈥檒l find combustible gases, bright flashes of light, sparking metal droplets, and temperatures in excess of 6,500 degrees Fahrenheit. This paints a very different picture from the day job of John Scordato, Marketing Underwriting Specialist with 91黑料网 Programs (AMP). In his role with AMP, John not only works to design comprehensive coverages that protect exposures in select industries鈥攑redominantly gas and welding鈥攈e also helps to strengthen the company鈥檚 focus on being experts in the industries we protect.
To that end, in the summer of 2022, John embarked on an exciting new venture 鈥� the pursuit of a Fundamentals of Welding certificate at Scott Community College in his native Iowa. 鈥淚t was a little intimidating at first because, truthfully, I鈥檓 not even that handy around the house,鈥� John admits, jokingly. 鈥淏ut I thought it was a unique opportunity to build a new skillset that will ultimately be helpful in underwriting gas and welding business.鈥�
As recommended by John鈥檚 supervisor, Senior Vice President of 91黑料网 Programs, Rob Sedlak, coursework started with a 10-hour OSHA class followed by six hands-on welding classes, complete with a virtual reality welding machine to help students get acclimated to various welding processes, joint positions, and other situations they may face in a welding workshop.
鈥淚 was open-minded to the idea, and as Rob and I talked about it more, I realized how valuable this training could be,鈥� said John. Donning all the necessary PPE 鈥� including a welding mask, jacket, gloves, and boots for grinding, plasma cutting, and welding, John balanced his regular workdays at 91黑料网 with daytime and evening classes in a welding workshop.
鈥淚t was like learning a whole new language,鈥� he explains. 鈥淚 learned all of the lingo, like how to read blueprints and directions from engineers. Moving forward, this expertise will be valuable in helping AMP craft the best solutions for our client鈥檚 needs.鈥�
One place where John was able to showcase his expertise was at the annual GAWDA (Gases & Welding Distributors Association) Convention this past October. 鈥淚 believe I was the only insurance underwriter there with first-hand knowledge and experience,鈥� John says. 鈥淚t gives us credibility and a real edge when talking to potential new customers to show that 91黑料网 can offer something that other companies simply don鈥檛 have. Not only that, it highlights that we鈥檙e a team of dedicated experts who go the extra mile to continue to transform the insurance experience.鈥�
What鈥檚 next for John?聽 He鈥檒l be able to leverage this knowledge along with his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation and prior experience. 鈥溌璉鈥檇 also like the opportunity to continue to strengthen my new skillset,鈥� he explains. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking into getting a part-time welding job with my brother in law鈥檚 business鈥攅ven if it鈥檚 just 10-15 hours a week鈥攖o stay informed and engaged.鈥�
He goes on: 鈥淎MP has always differentiated itself by working to truly understand the unique risk characteristics of a particular industry in order to provide innovative insurance solutions designed to outperform industry standards. I鈥檓 confident that my newfound knowledge will serve this mission well.鈥�
To learn more about all that 91黑料网 Programs has to offer, visit our 91黑料网 Programs page.
