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We all dread the word "downsizing" as we look at our careers. As a former consumer investigative reporter for Post Newsweek TV, I am always looking for real opportunities in the career field that offer longevity. This is one that fits that category.

The new career opportunity that I discussed with Howard Williams is one that is both physically and mentally challenging as you will learn.

You see Howard is one the leading USA *storm adjusters* and has been involved in the field for over 35 years. Recently I had a chance to sit down with Howard and discuss his years as a storm adjuster.

Hugh: *Howard, what exactly is a *storm adjuster* and what do you do?*

Howard: *When a major storm or other catastrophe hits anywhere in the country and the claims load is larger than the local adjusters can handle, the insurance companies turn to a core group of storm adjusters. These adjusters are available to respond to disasters wherever they are and whenever they are needed. Working as an extension of insurance company's claims department, adjusters assist the company's policyholders in evaluating and preparing their claims for damages.*

Hugh: *I think that you have created a slogan that pretty well says it: *Going where needed, when needed.*

Howard: *Yes, that is true and it has certainly been true in my case. In the past 35 years I have been to almost every natural disaster and even several man-made ones that have made the headlines in the United States. Most recently I spent six months in the Hurricane Katrina ravaged areas of Mississippi and Alabama.*

Hugh: *Six months?*

Howard: *Yes, I was there in the area for six months except for coming back home several weekends. That is one of the requirements of this profession. You must be able to go any time and any where they need you. For instance, with Katrina I was on the road heading to Mississippi as soon as the roads were open for rescue trucks to get in there. I arrived there to find no motel rooms available in either Mississippi or Alabama. I finally found a condo that I was able to rent in the panhandle of Florida. Therefore I had to make that long trip daily back and forth. So you have to know how to take care of yourself and I credit a great deal of that ability to my former police training.*

Hugh: *Yes, I knew that you had been a police officer in your earlier years. What other training have you found valuable?*

Howard: *As you know I'm also a personal coach and that training has been immensely valuable. For instance, in Florida, when I have worked the big hurricanes like Andrew I have found numerous senior citizens who were in a total state of shock. I would arrive at their homes to find them sitting in living rooms that had no roofs with water soaked carpets. Many had no one to turn to since their neighbors were too busy taking care of their own problems. So the first item of business is for me to get them out of that house. I want to get them into a nice clean, dry motel room if possible.

Hugh, you have to learn to EMPATHIZE with their situation and not get caught up in the drama going on. That's where my personal coach training has been invaluable. Most storm adjusters either are too business like or they get caught up in the drama happening. You want to help but you still have to focus on the situation * determining the damage done to their dwelling.*

Hugh: *So what do you do to determine that damage?*

Howard: *This is where you have to use your skills of estimating and also having a background in construction certainly does not hurt. I have to begin to look at the overall situation to determine what has been damaged by water and what has been damaged by wind. As you are aware as a consumer investigative reporter, there have been numerous stories in the media regarding this with Hurricane Katrina victims. No one seems to understand that certain damages are not covered by insurance.

Estimating and surveying the damage is where it can get very interesting. You may find yourself climbing up to a roof to explore damage and the next minute find yourself crashing through that roof! It has happen to me. Also usually in areas like Mississippi you are likely to find numerous snakes beginning to take up residence in the houses. Not to mention the heat that usually returns after the storm.*

Hugh: *Well with my fear of heights over 10 feet this is certainly not something that I would do well with.*

Howard: *That's where a husband/wife team comes in real handy. We find a number of husband/wife teams in storm adjusting. Usually, but not always, the husband will do the climbing and the wife will write down the findings. Both need to know how to estimate and a background in construction is a plus"

Hugh: *Well, I'm sure people reading this interview will want to know: 'How much can one make in this business?'*

Howard: *This can be a very lucrative career especially if you are doing major events like Katrina. I earned in the neighborhood of $120,000 for the six months work.*

Hugh: *WOW, $120,000 for six months work?

Howard: *Yes, when you learn the ropes like I will be teaching at my new school in North Carolina, it is possible to eventually be earning that amount for six months work. And both fortunately and unfortunately, this type of work will not have any downsizing in the near future.*

Hugh: Yes, as you know I also own an emergency preparedness consulting business. Our reports from Max Mayfield, chief meteorologist for the National Hurricane Center, are that the powerful hurricanes like Katrina will increase in number over the next ten years.*

Howard: Yes, and that is just hurricanes. Think of all the earthquakes, tornadoes, wild fires, wind storms, floods, etc. occurring in the United States every year. According to our industry association there will be a need for 1,000 new storm adjusters in 2007 alone.*

Hugh: Howard, you mentioned your new school. Tell us more about it and how people reading this interview can learn more.*

Howard: *Yes, I have decided to take my 35 years of experience in storm adjusting and offer a two week school for those looking for a new career. Also I will be sharing all the updated information in this field from my recent classes that I have attended. A person taking this course will learn about estimating, construction information that can make their job easier (I want to assure people that you do NOT have to have a background in construction to apply), writing the reports, communicating and working with the insurance companies, etc. For those that would like to learn more they can visit our web site at http://www.stormadjusterschool.com and after reading if interested can contact me at stormboss@earthlink.net.*