Matt Gaylon
Date: 10/23/2006Contact: Joan Barrett/800-690-0070
From the time he was little Matt Galyon was fascinated with construction. Today, his fascination with that industry is put into practice as he serves as the branch manager for GAB Robins North America’s branch office in Phoenix, which oversees locations in Arizona, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico. GAB Robins is a leading provider of global risk management services. He also is an active member in the New Mexico Claims Association.
Matt graduated Northern Arizona University with a degree in chemistry, but he realized that he did not want to be in the lab; he wanted to interact with people. After graduation he was offered a position with a small insurance agency in San Diego, Calif. Success there paved the way for his entrance into Liberty Mutual’s 18-month training program in San Francisco to sell insurance to large business clients. That training was a very positive experience. He gained knowledge in claims, underwriting and account management.
Matt decided to return to Arizona. In 2003, he joined GAB Robins as a property adjuster where his knowledge of construction proved invaluable. That knowledge allowed him to quickly advance and handle more complex claims. After seven months, he became the Branch Manager.
His goal is to help his staff achieve their goals. “I really enjoy mentoring new employees and helping my colleagues achieve their fullest potential,” he said.
For Matt, time is a precious commodity. He gauges how his time is spent with a eye to maximizing each experience. He believes the Claims Association is a useful professional development tool for adjusters and he is committed to working behind the scenes to improve the attendance at the meetings. Matt thinks that the more people attend the association’s events, the more positive the experience will be for them. He encourages his team of adjusters to attend the meetings whenever possible and to become more involved.
Professional development goes far beyond the high caliber speakers that are provided by the association. Matt strongly believes that there is a high degree of value in networking and learning from other adjusters.
In terms of meeting times, Matt said lunch meetings can be a challenge to an adjuster’s timetable, so dinner meetings are a good alternative. He likes the idea of alternating lunch and dinner meetings so that everyone’s needs are addressed.
The insurance business is a field that Matt loves although he acknowledges that the role of an adjuster can be misunderstood. He feels fortunate to work for a company that continually invests in and trains their people to look for coverage and to really help those whom life has dealt a blow.
Matt is proud of the thank you notes that he and his adjusters get after they help people get their life back on track. “That’s what it’s all about,” Matt declared.