Page 15 - INSIGHT MAGAZINE - NoBleed_Neat

“That’s a very noble concept,” he says. a more fulfilling life can be achieved
“I’m not saying non-mutual companies through prioritization. “That translates
don’t subscribe to that same principle beautifully in the workplace because for
but we’re much more community oriented someone to be engaged and happy and
because our ownership consists of our contribute to the extent they can requires
members.” job satisfaction,” he says. “And you can’t
Rocco says Dumfries Mutual Insurance, have job satisfaction if you are operating
which is expected to formally amalgamate an unhealthy workplace. We work hard
in 2024 with Guelph-based Halwell Mutual and take it seriously, but heaven forbid I
Insurance Company, is a venerable never take myself seriously.”
organization that is poised for changes as To nurture that connection between
it continues to modernize. This includes employees, Dumfries Mutual Insurance’s
making investments in technology 40 or so staff members regularly
and people to increase its scale into participate in team building activities,
coverage of more commercial spaces and such as barbecue lunches and recognizing
“For the most part, I specialized agriculture. wins and celebrations like International
in claims,” he says, describing “I am very grateful to have the Women’s Day or Pride Month, allowing
his early years in the business opportunity to assist in that them to bring their uniqueness to the
workplace.
which eventually led him to
journey of transformation, “To be your genuine self is very
Economical Insurance (long and more importantly, be a important,” says Rocco, when asked what
before it went public in 2021 with custodian to be able to deliver advice he can offer to other business
its parent company Definity) on that,” he says. leaders. “That entails recognizing the
where he eventually became To accomplish this, Rocco says good relevance and contributions of everybody
in the endeavour and to seek advice as
vice-president of claims. people are the key which means creating a much as possible to be understanding
He held that position for 14 years and a positive workplace is paramount. “In and collaborative.”
under his leadership the department terms of respect and employee relations, In terms of the future, he expects his
administered well over $1 billion worth of there have been rivers of ink written career at Dumfries Mutual Insurance will
benefits to policy holders, and explains about that stuff but fundamentally, being continue for a few years to come before
during that time his passion never waned a decent human being can get you at he decides to ‘ride off into the sunset’ and
even when faced with a major crisis such least nine-ninety per cent of the way dedicate more time to his favourite past
as the 2016 wildfire that devastated Fort there,” he says. “The most important thing time: reading.
McMurray, Alta. I can do is inspire them and let them see
“I was attending a meeting at the the possibilities and buy into our vision “I get a tremendous amount of energy
from sitting in my backyard during the
Economical AGM when my phone kept because that will be to everybody’s summer with a copy of The New York
buzzing in my pocket,” says Rocco, benefit.” Times,” laughs Rocco. “That energizes me
reminiscing about the urgency of the Rocco says it’s important to find a place a lot more than say a game of golf.”
situation he faced when he finally of balance that inspires employees to
connected with the claims manager at the bring their best selves to work every For more on Dumfries Mutual Insurance,
company’s Calgary office. day. “I don’t even like saying the word visit www.dumfriesmutual.com or call
The company had thousands of policy ‘balance’ because it means you’re trading 519.621.4660.
holders in the affected area that required off something for another,” he says.
immediate assistance, but most would be Instead, Rocco often refers to author
next to impossible to contact, yet Rocco Oliver Burkeman’s book Four Thousand
and his team found a way. Weeks which outlines the premise that
“Yes, we had a catastrophe plan in place
that we could reference in such an event
but there is no plan that could account
for such unique circumstances,” he
recalls. “So, that’s the kind of thing that
has kept me passionately committed and
appreciative of what we do.”
Rocco has brought that same passion
to Dumfries Mutual Insurance which he
joined just over a year ago and continues
to admire the fundamental principle
it was founded on 167 years ago that is
based on community leaders joining
together to help others. PHOTOS BY BRIAN RODNICK

www.cambridgechamber.com Fall 2023 15