ABOUT US
Tampa Bay Claims Association is dedicated to the advancement of professional ethics and education in the field of insurance claims and related businesses in the Greater Tampa Bay Area. We focus on insurance education and positive engagement with Adjusters, Insurance Carriers and supporting Vendors.
Tammy Kulakowski | President
Engle Martin, Specialty Loss Group Claims Support
Tammy has been in the insurance industry since 1986. She has her 440 and 620 licenses. She was an office manager of a restoration company for 18 years. She has worked for insurance agencies as well as insurance adjusting firms. In between the agencies and the adjusting firms, she did many years of marketing for restoration companies. Tammy currently works for Engle Martin and is happy to serve on the board of Tampa Bay Claims Association as she has been a long-time member since way back in the day.
.jpg)
Meghan Fountain | Vice President
Meghan Fountain is an accomplished insurance professional with an impressive 20-year career in
the insurance industry. Her extensive experience, consistency in delivering exceptional results,
and dedication to her work has made her a respected figure in the field of claims management.
Meghan is a self-proclaimed insurer addict and enjoys being on the cutting edge of the
transformation the insurance industry is under. She enjoys leveraging technology as a solution to
repetitive and analog processes. Meghan currently serves as the Assistant Vice President of
Claims at Velocity Risk Underwriters, a leading MGA known for its innovative solutions,
accuracy, out the box approach to underwriting and claims management. When she is not
focused on change management within the claims team, she enjoys spending time on the water
with her family.
Heather Swett | Secretary
In 2017 my husband, Tim and I opened Prism Specialties Art, a specialty contents cleaning and restoration company that focuses on art, collectibles, sports memorabilia, taxidermy, photography & much more!
We restore our customer’s sense of home while saving insurance companies over the cost of replacing their clients treasured items.
Prior to opening our company I was a homeschool mom for 13 years & ran a non-traditional homeschool group teaching art, American Government and Civics.
Our kids and I were heavily involved in the arts with art, theater, dance, music and singing. I volunteered creating various painting and sewing projects for theater productions.
Our family also started and ran a tutoring club for inner city youth in Tampa.
I’m excited to serve as Secretary for TBCA this year!
Thanks for electing me!
Leah Darr | Treasurer
I am a seasoned professional with over 11 years of extensive experience in property restoration and currently represent Cotton Global Disaster Solutions. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a deep commitment to the industry and dedication to Tampa Bay Claims Association (TBCA).
In addition to my property restoration experience, I have played a pivotal role in facilitating Continuing Education (CE) and coordinating International Institute of Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) courses for insurance professionals. And I continue my dedication to raising the standards of the insurance industry through my efforts to equip insurance professionals with the knowledge they need to excel.
I have organized and hosted numerous networking events that have brought together key players in the field. These events have not only fostered collaboration and synergy but have also strengthened the bonds within the insurance community.
Candice Hill | Adjuster at Large
Candice Hill is Assistant Vice President of Allied American USA’s Flood Division and is responsible for all WYO/NFIP and Private Flood claims servicing the company’s diverse list of client partners, including the nation’s largest flood company, which supports in excess of 17,000 agents across 42 states. Candice has more than 23 years of claims technical experience working homeowner multi-peril and large complex commercial losses in addition to flood losses. She has worked catastrophe events affecting the U.S. since 2001 both from field and leadership capacities. The Flood Department at Allied American has experienced dynamic growth in recent years during which Candice consistently receives high marks from our flood clients for speed, quality, responsiveness, customer service, compliance and overall program management. Candice is a multi-state licensed adjuster, IICRC certified, and has been an active participant in multiple forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including countless numbers of mediations and appraisals.
Jim West | Associate at Large
Following a successful college baseball campaign at University of Miami (CWS ’89) and University of Tampa (National Champions ’93); and honorable service as a gunner on an M1-A1 main battle tank in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, I began my career in the insurance industry in 1999. As a young pup in Claims at Allstate, I was a first-party casualty adjuster. After five years with The Hartford as a Claims Supervisor and Vendor Manager, I moved into the vendor space. The carrier life called again in 2018 when I accepted a role as the enterprise Vendor Relationship Manager for American Integrity Insurance. I credit this position for introducing me to the property side of the P&C house, and for a deeper understanding of insurance operations as a whole.
I’m looking forward to taking what I’ve learned over 27 years in this industry meeting brilliant people in all aspects of insurance, and utilizing that knowledge and those relationships to help make the TBCA it’s best iteration yet.