A senior at Southern Methodist University’s Lyle School of Engineering has started an independent claims adjusting firm that provides on-the-job training to military veterans — training that helps them become small business owners who contribute to their local economies.
As a military veteran who spent many years in Iraq and Afghanistan, Jason Waller understands the needs of a veteran transitioning back to civilian life. Through Emergent Services LLC, he hopes to connect veterans with what he calls the “perfect” job — becoming an independent property insurance adjuster.
There are more than 2,500 property and casualty insurance companies that provide insurance to American home, auto, and business owners, according to the company. Emergent Services aims to reach insurance companies that agree “military veterans are well-suited to represent them to their policyholders after a catastrophic weather event.”
Waller said its client base — Americans who struggle to deal with insurance claims after natural disasters — is one that vets are well-suited to help, according to a SMU release.
“There’s something in our nature that we want to serve Americans.”
Jason Waller
“There are a lot of aspects of being an insurance adjuster that veterans can relate to,” Waller said in the release. “There’s something in our nature that we want to serve Americans. When we can do it face-to-face instead of on the other side of the world, it’s therapeutic for us.”
Waller’s entrepreneurial endeavors began in 2015 when he won top prize in SMU’s Big iDeas Pitch Contest for his initial concept of pairing returning veterans with industry professionals for on-the-job training for civilian careers.
The following year, he was a winner in SMU’s 2016 Business Plan Competition for Emergent Services’ startup plan.
Now, the company that began with five military veterans intends to grow to include 50 military veterans, according to its website. Emergent Services calls it the 5-to-50 Campaign.
“Today, we look at him and all his accomplishment and know he’s had a successful and meaningful experience here,” said Candy Crespo, SMU student veterans advisor, in a university release. “SMU aims to shape world changers who contribute to their communities and excel in their professions in a global society. Jason embodies just that.”
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