CRU (Catastrophe Response Unit) Opens Dallas, TX Office

DALLAS, TEXAS –  CRU, a Toronto, Canada based claims adjustment and management firm, is pleased to announce the opening of its Dallas, Texas office to better meet the needs of clients in both Texas and the southwest US.  This will be the company’s fourth office in the US.  By providing a Dallas presence (CRU-USA), CRU is better able to service its Texas carriers, as well as train its Texas-based adjusters.

Said, Kyle Winston, CRU president, “We are excited about our expansion into the state of Texas. Plans to develop operations in Dallas were initiated by CRU seeking out and acquiring new business partnerships.  The opening of this new office is an important step towards realizing our expansion into the United States. This will be the first of many important changes for the company in 2015 and 2016 relating to market demands and our response to them.”

The office will be managed by Paula Shields-Holladay. She will further develop CRU’s growing portfolio of regional and national accounts. Paula comes to CRU Group with a wealth of experience within the Industry.   She began her insurance career in 1973 with Allstate Insurance Company working in the clerical department. She successfully worked her way through the ranks, becoming a claim adjuster in 1978. She ultimately attained the position of residential staff adjuster. In 1994 Paula joined Gainsco in Fort Worth, TX as a senior adjuster handling commercial claims consisting of GL, Garage Keepers and trucking losses and was promoted to Claims Manager in 1999 and managed adjusters and administrative staff. 

In 2002 Paula took a bold step and started her own Independent Adjusting Company, Shields of Texas. Over the next eleven years she served as, not only the owner of Shields of Texas, but also as the managing adjuster. Under Paula’s leadership, Shields of Texas specialized in General Liability mediations and Auto investigations. She also expanded into the property arena handling both Personal Lines and Commercial claims. During that eleven years she also added marketing to her already impressive resume.

In 2012, Paula sold Shield of Texas and went to work for Team One adjusting where she took on the opportunity to lead their marketing and client development needs. During her 2 years with Team One she lead a team of Team One adjusters working in Selective Insurance’s claim center in Richmond, VA during hurricane Irene and super storm Sandy.

Most recently Paula gained substantial trucking insurance claim experience working for Great West insurance company.

We are very pleased to have Paula join the CRU team where she will specialize in auto and general liability claims as well as filling CRU’s marketing and client development needs as we expand into the US market.

Paula commented, “I am excited to start a new challenge within CRU and look forward to working with the team to further develop their presence in Texas. I am fortunate to be joining such a respected company that prides itself on top quality service.”    

 “We view Paula’s appointment as a sign of our commitment to being the leading company in our industry. Our new innovations and the increasing demand from our customers led us to look for an addition to our team who will fit in with our ethos of innovation and exceptional service, and it is very fortunate that we were able to find recruit someone of Paula’s caliber to fill this role. I’m confident that she will play a key role in providing and implementing high quality solutions for our clients,” said Kyle Winston.

For more information about the Dallas office services, please contact Paula at pholladay@cruadjusters.com.

About CRU:

Catastrophe Response Unit is a Canadian-based independent adjusting company. Operating throughout North America, CRU provides residential, commercial, auto, and environmental services to its partner insurance carriers, and through its training arm, Academy of Insurance Adjusting (AIA), adjuster training. Utilizing the latest technology and industry proven processes, we provide exceptional customer service while managing the loss adjusting expense and indemnity.