Eric Ellis joined NAGICO Insurances three decades ago as a Claims Officer. Today, as he celebrates 30 years with the company, the Managing Director of NAGICO in charge of the Claims Department is happy with his efforts in helping clients over the years and in growing and developing the department he is in charge of at the company.
Ellis describes himself as a genuine, loyal and honest person who is hardworking and very family oriented. His St. Maarten-born parents moved to Curaçao in the 1950s for work and Ellis and his four brothers and two sisters were all born and raised in Curaçao.
As a young man, he left Curaçao to pursue his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Hunter College New York and when he returned, he landed the job at NAGICO. “I returned from New York via Curaçao in 1988, and a friend scheduled a job interview with [current NAGICO Chairman of the Board – Ed.] Mr. [Imran] Mc Sood [Amjad] on my behalf, who hired me on the spot. Right at the interview. I literally landed on Sunday, and had the interview on Wednesday.”
His first position was Claims Officer and within a year the island was hit by a storm in 1989. “And based on my performance, I was offered the position of Claims Manager. In 2004, I became Managing Director until present.”
Ellis likes operating in the insurance field as he enjoys the ability to help clients under very difficult circumstances. “I have personally handled dozens of storms and other catastrophes, not only on St. Maarten. And in this position your clients are usually at their most vulnerable. Having the ability to guide them through this process and to make things better for them is something that gives me great satisfaction and by providing this service we have built many relationships. Also, to have experienced the growth of the company from a small local insurance company in 1988 until now, it has been very rewarding.”
Like anything else in life, he has faced challenges. “Market conditions are a lot more challenging today than in the past, for example, we’ve never had a category 5 storm in the past and in 2017 we had Irma followed within days by Maria which affected several of our territories as well.”
Asked what inspired him to remain at NAGICO for 30 years, he said: “I was seriously contemplating returning to New York in the early years to pursue my master’s degree, but my commitment to my family and NAGICO made me change my mind.”
As for his biggest accomplishment in the field, he said: “To be able to guide the Claims Department for over 30 years with NAGICO as one of the major player in the insurance industry and to have been able to maintain the quality of the claims, which is evident in the fact that NAGICO has been voted number one for more than 10 years in The Daily Herald [Best Of readers’ poll – Ed.] and to be responsible for a portfolio of over 35 million on St. Maarten, that I believe is a major accomplishment. In addition, I was personally responsible for establishing the NAGICO offices in the country of my birth – Curaçao, and also for Bonaire. I even moved to Curaçao for eight months in 2005 to ensure the opening and launching of these offices.”
He said one of the biggest impacts he has made was being directly responsible for introducing the Roadside Accident Service in St. Maarten. “Also, I have been able to impact and mould several young minds during my time here at NAGICO and over my 30 years, I have worn many caps. I have worked in the medical, claims, marketing and even dabbled in human resources.
Asked what differentiates him from other similar professionals in the field, he said: “At NAGICO we [including the Executive and Managing Directors – Ed.] believe in a personal touch. We have an open-door policy and almost all the claims that I have settled, I have met personally with the clients.”
He said it feels great marking three decades in the company. “Satisfaction is the first word that comes to mind. There is a great feeling of accomplishment, because to have had the opportunity to start with a company and to see it mature into this great corporation, it is really fulfilling.”
Asked how he believes the insurance climate can be improved in the country, he said technology has brought a lot of improvement to the industry and better advantage can be taken of this to help improve our service and communication with clients.
He had a positive message for youngsters who want to follow in his footsteps. “I would advise them first and foremost to be humble, it goes a long way and anything you put your mind to, with commitment and consistency you can achieve it.”
His message to clients who have stuck with the company over the years was clear: “I want to use this opportunity to personally thank our clients, each and every single one, but more so those who have been with us in the 30 years since I have been with the company and some even before. We at NAGICO thank you for your continued loyalty and patronage over the years.”
To residents, he said, while insurance is not compulsory, after witnessing the impact a financial loss can have on one’s livelihood and family, foregoing insurance should not be a risk anyone should be willing to take.
The Pisces-born Ellis is married and has three daughters. Outside of NAGICO, he is an avid drag racing fan. Along with his sibling Henry, the two own a drag racing vehicle and they have travelled around the Caribbean to compete and have won a few international tournaments.
His hobby is travelling, and his dream holiday venue is Hawaii, which is on his bucket list. As for pet peeve, he has zero tolerance for disrespectful behaviour. “Vulgarity and indecency are behaviours which I wholeheartedly detest, and my statement is not targeted at youths, because I have seen and heard grownups behave in some very deplorable ways. We are human beings and I strongly believe that respect goes a far way.”
He tries to live by the words of his favourite quote: “Always be an asset in everything you do and never a liability.”
As for the future, he hasn’t decided what path he will take as yet. Retirement is on his agenda and mostly, he is just looking forward to spending some quality time with his family.
