FEATURES
COVER STORY: YOUNG GUNS BARRY HAGGIS
BRANDON FARB
Insurance broker/producer
Rate change manager, personal lines
YOUNG & HAGGIS INSURANCE SERVICES Age: 33 Years in insurance: 5
AVIVA CANADA Age: 28 Years in insurance: 5
Barry Haggis left the film and television industry in Vancouver to become a licensed broker in 2011, when he joined the Young & Haggis team. As the vice-president of Professional Young Insurance Brokers [PYIB], Haggis has been integral to the success of PYIB ‘s events committee and the organization as a whole.
With his eyes set on a career that would provide challenge, opportunity, and both personal and professional growth, Brandon Farb joined the insurance industry after a two-year accelerated management training program focused on offering exposure to a variety of insurance departments. Within the first five years of his career, Farb achieved a management position, which has allowed him to influence decision-making, strategy and execution within Aviva’s personal lines department. “As a relatively new manager, I appreciate the support and latitude my coworkers and other leaders have given me to do my job in the most effective manner,” he says. Farb is involved with the Insurance Institute of Canada as both a student and volunteer exam proctor, in addition to being involved in a number of Toronto-based minor hockey organizations.
PETER W. VAN DYK Account executive
RYAN BURNS
PV&V INSURANCE CENTRE Age: 25 Years in insurance: 5
Commercial account executive COWAN INSURANCE GROUP Age: 30 Years in insurance: 6
Having chosen the same career path as his father, Ryan Burns is responsible for increasing the overall growth in the commercial sector at Cowan Insurance Group. “The proudest professional accomplishment that I have to date is proving to my father, who is one of the top commercial producers at Cowan Insurance Group, that I have the ability to carry my own weight and pick up the slack without being prompted,” he says. “Through the completion of my CIP and the strong underwriting background I gained at Economical Insurance, I have value to bring to the table on new and existing accounts.” One way Burns has decided to give back to the insurance community is through his involvement in the Insurance Institute of Canada's Insurance Ambassador Program. As an ambassador, Burns helps to motivate and inspire others to pursue insurance careers.
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A musician who can also place insurance? Before joining the insurance business, Peter Van Dyk toured across Canada as a musician and continues to play guitar and sing with his band. He now is an account executive at his family-owned agency, PV&V Insurance Centre. In his role, he enjoys helping people find insurance solutions that work for them, learning about interesting commercial risks and finding new areas to innovate. Van Dyk is also proud to be an ambassador with the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and is a member of its young professionals division, YEP Hamilton. He is also a member of CoMotion and volunteers with the YWCA and Streetlight Ministries.
Best advice “Embrace the paradigm shift that technology and big data are bringing to the industry. Early adopters always have a better chance of long-term success. Don’t be afraid to transform your company’s culture. Millennials are not afraid to work hard, but they do not want to be bound to archaic systems and companies that fear innovation.”
www.insurancebusiness.ca
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21/06/2016 4:56:36 AM