The Risk Sentinel - An Introduction

Welcome to IRC's risk reduction blog, The Risk Sentinel - we're glad you're here!

This blog is going to be designed for and dedicated to sharing some of the most common (and not so common) risk reduction strategies that businesses and individuals alike can implement in everyday operations and interactions. Topics discussed will include: loss control and loss prevention, insurance coverage, workplace safety, business management, and much more.

We anticipate that most of the resources provided and referenced here will be free, but it's possible that some content will require a subscription (sharing your email address so that we can update you when new posts are available) in the future. As part of IRC's on-going goal to maintain honesty, integrity and transparency, disclosures for affiliate marketing and paid promotions will ALWAYS be prominently disclosed.

It's possible that some of the content in the blog will be added from guest bloggers, but for the most part, you'll be hearing from IRC's founding partner, Bragan Jackson (me). To server as a bit of an introduction:

I graduated from the University of Alabama in May of 2011 where I received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, while majoring in Finance with a concentration in Real Estate and a minor in Economics.

After graduating I studied for and passed the Alabama Real Estate Salesperson licensing exam, but almost immediately began working in the insurance industry at a wholesale brokerage company. I began my insurance career as an assistant underwriter responsible for managing an existing book of business working under a lead underwriter/broker at the company. Day to day responsibilities included fielding calls and servicing requests from retail insurance agents working on behalf of their insurance customers (the insured, i.e. the policyholder).

In my time working as an Assistant Underwriter I received an Associate in Insurance (AINS) and Associate in Commercial Underwriting (AU) from The Institutes, one of the leading insurance education and professional designation entities in the world. Following just under three years working as an Assistant Underwriter, I was promoted to a full authority Underwriter/Broker position with the company where I then transitioned into exclusively working and servicing my own book of business that was built during my time working as an Assistant Underwriter.

It's now been close to 11 total years working as an assistant or full authority underwriter with that same company, however, during that time I've also studied for and passed the Alabama Real Estate Broker's license exam (I maintain an active Alabama Real Estate Broker's license to this day) and now work some real estate deals on the side as a bit of a lingering passion from my education days.

I also serve as the Designated Qualifying Representative for Jackson Residential Contracting, LLC, a licensed homebuilder in the state of Alabama. I got my homebuilder's license shortly after buying my first home due to the difficulties I had convincing my mortgage lender that I was qualified and capable of performing the extensive renovations on my first home (a "fixer upper") without the help of a homebuilder or general contractor.

I've never done a blog like this before so this will be a bit of a personal challenge for me in terms of consistency and stepping outside my comfort zone. I've had several people tell me that I should start a podcast, so maybe the ability to edit and review behind a keyboard will be enough solace to keep me going. I've challenged myself to post a weekly blog for the next six months about the content I've laid out above.

Your readership and participation are highly encouraged. I'd love to answer reader's questions in the comments section of each post, but if you're more comfortable emailing me directly I'm great with that as well.

Let's see where the journey takes us - buckle up! (lol - driver safety tip not intended)