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About Us Development Solutions and Services, Inc. provides construction project owners and/or contractors with valuable insurance administration, loss control, insurance bid credit services, as well as risk review and management services at a reasonable cost. With over 40 years of experience in the building industry, the staff at DSS draws on an unparalleled knowledge base gained from working with the insurance industry and all segments of the construction community. President and Founder, Dorna Brown Since the inception of OCIPs/residential wrap-up programs, Dorna Brown has helped to introduce them to the marketplace and has tirelessly worked to educate the industry on their benefits. She has extensive experience in facilitating wrap-up programs and has handled from small to very large accounts in California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Texas, Idaho and Hawaii. She has facilitated wrap-up programs for companies such as Centex, KB Home, Trimark Pacific, and Pulte as well as many smaller developers in the previously mentioned states.
While serving as Vice President of Direct Services for DBH Resources, Inc. (DBHR), she set up the procedures and most of the infrastructure for administrating its residential wrap-up programs. She also trained its personnel in wrap-up administration and updated the infrastructure in an effort to improve the department after monitoring its performance. Under Brown’s direction, DBHR also produced user-friendly products such as guidebooks for certificate of insurance training, and safety and risk management training. Brown instituted a Risk Assessment and Management program where she performed various risk assessments on major as well as smaller developers and provided them with easy-to-implement solutions to minimize their exposure to loss. She also developed training programs for Attached Housing Exclusions, Self-Insured Retention (SIR) Claims Management and Homeowner Customer Service. While at DBHR, Brown traveled throughout California providing educational seminars to developers regarding the new SB800 legislation that became effective on January 1, 2003. Brown takes great pride in educating developers, contractors and subcontractors about the benefits as well challenges of wrap-up insurance policies. "Because I’ve been working with the industry for so many years, I have a good understanding of their business needs," says Brown. "In general, most companies would rather build their projects than think about insurance. But at DSS, we walk them through it by providing a safe learning environment through listening, answering all questions and treating clients as equals. In the end, we get them to understand the great benefits." In addition to her extensive practical experience, Brown is a graduate of Georgetown University’s designation program in Associate Real Estate Management, and she holds a designation in Property Management and Retail Leasing through the International Council of Shopping Centers. Vice President of Operations, Kevin Edwards
Kevin Edwards, an experienced and seasoned professional in residential and commercial wrap ups has joined the team at DSS as Vice President of Operations. Kevin holds his CRIS designation (Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist) through International Risk Management Institute and has co-published two articles educating the industry on the importance of wrap-ups: "Managing Risks of Condominiums; Developers Benefit From Warranties, Inspections and Wrap Insurance," March 27, 2006, and "It’s a Wrap: Proper Insurance coverage Helps Condo Developers Reduce Risk": March-April 2006, both published in the National Law Journal and in the Commercial Investment Real Estate Magazine. |
While working with both commercial and residential developers, Brown has successfully negotiated for the best insurance policies, acted as a risk manager, supervised a warranty services department and negotiated competitive lease packages with major corporations for Braemar Homes. She also handled every aspect of the organizations’ insurance needs for over 13 years.
Kevin comes to DSS from Lockton Insurance Brokers in Los Angeles where he co-managed and developed their Residential Wrap-Up Department. He was instrumental in educating some of the first builders when residential wrap-ups entered the market place seven years ago. With experience in managing over 90 builders and over 600 projects, Kevin is going to be a valued heavyweight at DSS!