Category: Press Release

ASU Group is celebrating a milestone year in 2017! Founded in 1952, the company celebrates it’s 65th anniversary as a Claims Management and Insurance Services company and it’s 35th year as an Employee-Owned company.

Originally called Michigan Claim Service, the company founders, Richard Young, John Fles, Thomas Kelly and Charles Shotwell, provided independent claims adjusting services for insurance companies in lower Michigan. In 1989, the company adopted the DBA The ASU Group to reflect the growth and diverse services for the insurance and risk industry.

Today, ASU provides Risk Management, Third Party Claims Administration, Medical Review, and Case Management Services, as well as Adjusting Services to insurance companies, corporations, municipalities, government entities and self-insured organizations throughout Michigan and Wisconsin as well as several Midwest states and Catastrophe Adjusting nationwide.

We thank our dedicated clients for their support over the years. With their continuous feedback, we will continue to improve our partnership with them by investing in  innovative solutions to their claims management needs by consistently delivering on our promises of improving customer value.

We also thank our employee-owners, our most valuable asset. Their personal sense of ownership generates extra effort, dedication and a collaborative team spirit that delivers significant value to our clients.

President and Chief Executive Officer Debra Claeys says, ”There have been many changes in 65 years.  But after all this time some things remain the same. ASU is committed to the future and the long-term success of our clients, our employees and our company. “

About ASU Group:
The ASU Group is a client-focused provider of insurance services and claims management. By building on our experience, we deliver solid technical resources, cost containment practices, efficient and accessible computer systems and the seamless administration of your programs. For more information on ASU, visit www.asugroup.com.

Contact information: 

Theresa Cooper
tcooper@asugroup.com
517-381-7913

For Immediate Release

The ASU Group, a claims management and insurance services company, has added a new member to its’ Board of Directors effective December 13, 2016 – Annette E. Flood.

“We are excited to have Ann join our Board,” said Debra Claeys, CEO and President of the ASU Group. “She has achieved extraordinary success in her career as an industry executive and her unique mix of experience will be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow and service our clients.”

Annette E. Flood is the former Director of the Department of Insurance and Financial Services and Insurance Commissioner for the state of Michigan. She has also served as Chief Operating Officer for AP Capital/American Physicians Assurance Corporation and MEEMIC Insurance Company. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and of Wayne State University Law School where she obtained her Juris Doctorate. She is currently a principal of Clinton Flood Insurance Consulting, LLC, which provides consulting services for insurance companies and related entities.

The ASU Group has been serving the insurance industry since 1952. The employee-owned company provides claims management and insurance services including independent claims adjusting, national catastrophe adjusting, case management, medical bill review and third party administration to insurance companies, corporations, municipalities, government entities and self-insured organizations throughout Michigan and Wisconsin as well as several Midwest states.

The ASU Group, a claims management and insurance services company, has added a new member to its’ Board of Directors effective December 11, 2014 – Cory L. Gergar.

“Cory has extensive experience in financial management and continuous improvement processes and we are delighted that he is joining ASU Group’s board of directors,” said Debra Claeys, CEO and President of the ASU Group.

Cory L. Gergar, CPA serves as Chief Financial Officer at JRB Enterprises / Duro-Last Roofing, Inc. in Saginaw, Michigan. Previously he was Chief Financial Officer/ Corporate Controller with several Automotive Industry suppliers.  He is a graduate of Michigan State University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and of Walsh College in Troy, where he earned his Master of Science in Finance.

The Board of Directors of the ASU Group met on December 11, 2014. The following people were elected as officers and ESOP Committee members for 2015:

The 2015 Board of Directors is as follows:

• Tara O’Connor LaRose
• Kim Pavlik
• David Hop
• Cory Gergar – newly elected
• Debra Claeys

The following individuals were elected as officers of the corporation for 2015:

• Debra Claeys, President
• Sarah Hartman, Treasurer
• Sarah Hartman, Secretary
• Tara O’Connor LaRose, Chairman
• David Hop, Vice Chairman

The Board appointed the following to the ESOP Fiduciary Committee:

• Debra Claeys – Chair
• Audrey Pike
• Chad Johnson

The Board elected the following as ESOP Trustees:

• Sarah Hartman – Chair
• Michael Brown

The following individuals were appointed to the ESOP Advisory Committee:

• Theresa Cooper – Chair
• Julie Somes
• Kristine Spangler

The ASU Group announced two new members to the Board of Directors effective December 12, 2013. David Hop, Senior Vice President of Van Wyk Risk and Financial Management in Grand Rapids and Richard Current, former Vice President and CFO of Neogen Corporation in Lansing.

“We are excited to welcome David and Richard to our Board of Directors and are confident that their impressive insurance and financial experience will be a significant contribution to our Board. We look forward to working with them both as ASU continues to grow and service its’ clients in the insurance services industry,” said Debra Claeys, CEO and President of the ASU Group.

David Hop is a company shareholder at Van Wyk providing leadership and strategic direction to the ownership team. As Senior Vice President, he also is team leader for commercial clients locally, regionally and worldwide. His career in risk management and insurance has spanned nearly two decades. Previously, he was with State Farm Insurance,1991-1994 and Marsh & McLennan 1994-2005.

Richard R. Current served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Neogen Corporation (NASDAQ: NEOG) of Lansing, Michigan, an international food and animal safety company, until his retirement in 2011. Prior to joining Neogen, he held senior management positions with two other Michigan companies and for 24 years was associated with the public accounting firm of Ernst & Young. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR) of Charlotte Michigan and on the boards of two privately held companies in Lansing.

The ASU Group is a customer focused provider of insurance related products and services since 1952. The employee-owned company provides independent claims adjusting, national catastrophe adjusting, case management, medical bill review and third party administration to insurance companies, self-insured property and casualty organizations throughout Michigan and several Midwest states.

The ASU Group announces its’ latest technology tool for claims and catastrophe management. This application gives insurers, adjusters and quality control a more effective means of managing their claims by giving them the real time data they need. Clients are able to see the status and stage of each claim, retrieve reports or documents related to the claim, and communicate with ASU and its adjusters. It also allows them to compile custom reports in a format they can easily download.

This application allows ASU Adjusters to manage claims more effectively and timely by sending a text message alerting them when a new claim is received or if a claim needs to be revisited.

Numerous other functions have been incorporated into the system which makes processing claims quick, accurate, and convenient. Ongoing refinement and improvements continue.

“By continuing to listen to what our clients want and need, and building on our experience, we’ve been able to provide an innovative and useful tool for our clients.” said Debra Claeys, ASU President and CEO.

“Thanks for the great job that you did handling our Sandy claims. Your claims system is awesome and I was able to download reports with all of the data I needed instantly, ” said James Tippett, VP Property Claims of Tower Group Companies of New York.

The ASU Group, established in 1952 and employee-owned since 1982, provides independent claims and Catastrophe adjusting, case management, medical bill review and third party administration to insurance companies and self-insured property and casualty organizations.