A Closer Look at the BLOOM Awards Winners

The BLOOM Awards are one of the most prestigious recognitions in the industry, honoring outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to their respective fields. In honor of the Bloom Awards honorees for 2022, we decided to interview some of the winners to take the time to get to know these individuals on a personal level and explore their roles and significant contributions to the industry.

This section provided an opportunity to delve deeper into the award winners' achievements, motivations, challenges, and future plans. Through these interviews, we gained insights into the thought processes, creativity, and hard work that went into their successes. It was a privilege to have the opportunity to learn from these exceptional individuals and to celebrate their contributions to the industry.

We will feature more winners in future editions!

Tell us a bit about what you do?

I am a Workers Compensation Claims Manager at PMA Companies responsible for managing unbundled and specialty accounts throughout the southeastern United States.

Can you tell us about one accomplishment you are most proud of with your career or family?

One thing I am most proud is actually giving back to the community. I have coached youth sports in my spare time throughout the Central Florida area and it is very rewarding to see some of the kids that I have coached, not only make it to the professional level but also become productive young men within the community.

What’s one thing that everyone should know about you that they might not already know?

I would say hands down that I am afraid of spiders and snakes!

What does a typical week in your work look like?

A typical week is not always so typical as I am sure everyone can relate in this industry :-) My weeks may vary with potentially traveling to home office for meetings to reaching out to clients and managing a very talented workforce.

What kind of projects are you working on right now?

I am currently working on strengthening relationships with clients and outside of work assisted with developing curriculum for Stetson University.

What's your favorite part of the job?

I would say dealing with people of all factors of life and building relationships. There's never a boring day on the job as it may vary from day to day.

Did you always want to work in this field?

If you ask me what I wanted to be growing up, I may not have said work in the insurance field, however after coming out of college, I knew this field was for me. I enjoy what I do and approach everyday trying to be better than I was the day before

What has changed the most about the field since you started?

There has been a lot of changes since I have started in the field. I think one thing that stands out is the need to learn multiple jurisdictions makes you more marketable and provides you with better opportunities. When I started in the field, you were expected to be an expert in one jurisdiction, but now it helps to learn multiple jurisdictions to allow the ability to progress.

Ed Gallon Claims Manager, PMA Management Corp

What are three words that describe you? Nice, Caring and Fair.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done in your life?

I would say hiking to the rim of a popular volcano in Costa Rica called Rincon de la Vieja. The view at the top was spectacular, but the hike was definitely a challenge

What’s inspiring you in life right now?

My inspiration comes from my upbringing and faith.

What are your hobbies?

I love football, basketball, soccer, baseball and softball. I love the home team!

What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try but you’ve been too scared to do?

Parasailing. That appears to be fun but also may be out of my league. Who knows I may get enough courage to try it!

How do you find balance with your work life and your home life?

I have learned over the years that you sometimes have to turn it off. I have learned that you work hard but when there is family time, you must take the time and not burn yourself out

Tell us a bit about what you do?

I am a telephonic nurse case manager for Amerisys dealing with worker’s comp patients.

Can you tell us about one accomplishment you are most proud of with your career or family?

I think I’m most proud that I’ve been able to raise my two kids on my own. It’s definitely not easy, but I think they’re turning out ok.

What’s one thing that everyone should know about you that they might not already know?

I am TERRIFIED of Sock Monkeys.

What does a typical week in your work look like?

I am very fortunate in that I get to work from home, no traveling to an office every day All of us at Amerisys carry pretty heavy case loads, so we’re all VERY busy taking care of and advocating for our claimants. I am definitely never bored.

What kind of projects are you working on right now?

Work-wise, just taking care of my injured workers and making sure they get the care they need. Otherwise, nothing in particular, just family and me time.

What's your favorite part of the job? The people I work with.

Did you always want to work in this field?

I actually wanted to be a nurse at Disney World once I graduated school.

What has changed the most about the field since you started?

I graduated nursing school in 2000, so a LOT of things have changed in the nursing field since then I’ve only been in workers comp for about 5 years so not much has changed there One of the biggest changes that I am so grateful for, is being able to work remotely.

What are three words that describe you?

Honest, loyal, sarcastic (just kidding, kind of), helpful.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done in your life?

I have been skydiving twice, white water rafting, I scuba dive, I am an adrenaline junkie, I love roller coasters or any type of thrill ride. I have a long bucket list of things I want to do.

Nurse Case Manager, AmeriSys

What’s inspiring you in life right now?

Right now, it’s my kids. They are pretty much my world.

What are your hobbies?

I go to the Disney parks A LOT. I’m also a movie fanatic.

What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try but you’ve been too scared to do? do? I really can’t think of anything I want to do that I’ve been scared of. I’m an adrenaline junkie, and love thrills.

How do you find balance with your work life and your home life?

The company I work for is AMAZING at helping balance work and home life. They make sure you take the time off that you’re given and work hard to help you any way they can I’ve never worked for a company that has been like this, it’s pretty awesome!

Tell us a bit about what you do?

My job is like being a sous chef with lots of spices, one pan, one pot, in a tiny kitchen serving thousands of hungry people with varied distinct palates. Every day is a glorious adventure in the unknown to discover all that needs to be known in order to solve unique problems in the most comprehensive way with the best customer service skills, ever.

Can you tell us about one accomplishment you are most proud of with your career or family?

There are several: earning my ARM-P was a huge achievement, receiving a Proclamation from our Mayor was a beautiful accomplishment, and watching my son launch into the world with some pretty great tools in his talent toolbox!

What’s one thing that everyone should know about you that they might not already know?

Hmmm, I believe real smiles are magical!

What does a typical week in your work look like? Lots of time listening, researching, and connecting with employees and members of the community. It’s all about learning and using what you learn to be of service in the most sincere way possible.

What kind of projects are you working on right now?

Trying to learn to speak Spanish and ASL, finishing my Master’s Thesis, and getting organized, again.

What's your favorite part of the job?

Everyone is my work partner, so I get to support and be supported by nearly every one of my coworkers.

Did you always want to work in this field?

Ha, literally did not know the first thing about it until I started working in City Hall, and it was ‘love at first sight’.

What has changed the most about the field since you started?

The value that risk managers add to their organization and the community; we look at everything from a ‘unique’ perspective – we get to help people understand.

What are three words that describe you? Authentic, intuitive, sincere.

Christina Maguire Risk Manager, City of Ormond Beach

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done in your life?

Answer the first 9 questions in your list.

What’s inspiring you in life right now? The monumental peace of meditation

What are your hobbies? Racquetball, fixing up a little house I bought with a friend.

What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try but you’ve been too scared to do?

Change the spark plugs in my car.

How do you find balance with your work life and your home life?

It is a priority to practice balance.

Tell us a bit about what you do?

I am a Senior Resolution Manager at Gallagher Bassett, where I handle claims for clients in the state of Florida.

Can you tell us about one accomplishment you are most proud of with your career or family?

One of my proudest accomplishments has been earning my Master's degree.

What’s one thing that everyone should know about you that they might not already know?

Something most people might not know about me is that I am a second-generation work comp professional.

What does a typical week in your work look like?

My typical workweek involves working from 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday, and spending time with my loved ones outside of work.

What kind of projects are you working on right now?

Right now, I am also working on a side job, selling Pink Zebra products.

What's your favorite part of the job?

My favorite part of my job is interacting with injured workers and employers, as I find it fulfilling to help them navigate the complexities of the claims process.

Did you always want to work in this field?

While my original career aspirations were to work for WWE in their writers' department, I quickly realized how much I loved the work comp field and have never looked back.

What has changed the most about the field since you started?

Laws are ever-changing

What are three words that describe you? Caring, Loving, Loyal.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done in your life?

Starting a relationship with someone outside of Florida, and now we’ve been together for 6 years.

What’s inspiring you in life right now?

My source of inspiration is my mother; her unwavering support and encouragement inspire me to aim higher and persevere through challenges.

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies include dancing, selling Pink Zebra products, and watching Formula 1 races with my boyfriend. (Go Team Aston Martin/ Fernando Alonso!)

What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try but you’ve been too scared to do?

One thing I have always wanted to try but have been too scared to do is to fly.

How do you find balance with your work life and your home life?

In order to balance work and personal life, I have been making a conscious effort to work less, and on weekends, I try to avoid using my computer and instead spend quality time with my boyfriend, whether it is binging Netflix all day or convincing him to come with me to Universal Studios.