Profile
“Being true to who we are is key; we are purely a referral-based business. There is zero marketing or advertising”
Adam Rakowski,
Ortus Financial
James Hazzard’s journey to the upper echelons of the insurance industry has been far from conventional.
After his daughter was born while he was serving his country in Afghanistan, Hazzard, now president of Samuelson Insurance, made a life-changing pivot toward the insurance industry to be closer to his family. This unique path has been characterized by an eagerness to learn from those around him, while jumping on the opportunities that have come his way.
“I went from military deployment and then into insurance, really flying blind the whole time,” he explains. “From producer to agency owner, it’s been a path built on seizing opportunities and surrounding myself with people I consider smarter than me. That willingness to learn from others has shaped my career more than any plan ever could.” The industry veteran has also had to overcome a variety of challenges – as a disabled veteran who lost his sister and father to addiction, his career achievements have come through grit and determination.
“You can either sit in that pain and be a victim or you can use it as fuel. I’ve chosen to turn it into resilience, to keep moving forward, and to encourage others not to let life make them victims,” he notes. “That perspective is what drives me to build businesses, invest in people, and give back to my community.”
Samuelson’s company culture is one that balances high operational efficiency with true care for its employees, with features such as competitive pay and unlimited PTO underlining the unique workspace that Hazzard has cultivated.
Hazzard also leads with humility. While the IBA Hot 100 member is constantly learning and evolving, he acknowledges when he is not knowledgeable about a certain topic. His openness to change is another feature that separates himself from his peers.
“The biggest challenge is keeping up with the rapid changes in our industry – technology, shifting client and employee expectations, and unprecedented market conditions. I deal with it by accepting that I don’t know what I don’t know.” He adds, “I lean on dialogue, listen carefully, and stay open to change rather than being married to any one way of doing things.”
Providing education about the possibilities in the insurance industry is another key passion for Hazzard, who has helped introduce CISR programs at the high school level, while also sharing his story with students.
“I hope my efforts encourage more young people to see insurance as a meaningful career and inspire other agents to share knowledge instead of hoarding it.” Striking the balance between profitability and charitable engagement can be a challenging task, though Hazzard and Samuelson have been able to achieve this with great pride and effort.
“At the end of the day, my philosophy is pretty simple: run a profitable agency, take care of your people, be kind, and give back to your community. If I can be remembered as that type of man, I will consider it a career well spent,” he says.
6730 Central Ave, Portage, IN
219 762 3702
james@samuelsonagency.com
linkedin.com/in/jameshazzardcic
samuelsonagency.com
James Hazzard
President/Agency Principal Samuelson Insurance Agency
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“You can’t control the outcome, but you can always control what version of you turns up every day”
Adam Rakowski,
Ortus Financial
2011
2015
2017
2019
2025
Started at Samuelson Insurance Agency as a producer
2011
Earned his CIC designation
2015
Bought into the agency
2017
Bought the agency entirely
2019
Acquired another agency and location
Three-year member of Erie Insurance’s sales and marketing task force, leading Samuelson
2025
Milestones
Milestones
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“You can’t control the outcome, but you can always control what version of you turns up every day,” he says.
While at the helm of a rapidly growing business and a family that includes two young children at home, Rakowski has learned to manage what he calls a “never-ending list of commitments” that consists of a new team member each month, a new interstate office and two to three new referral partners monthly.
“Our business is a human business, so investing genuine time in every person can be draining on a personal level. Balancing it all is a challenge,” he says. “Simply put, do what you say you will do, and act at all times with honesty and integrity, being respectful and empathetic. The financial outcomes are a byproduct of the human interactions we have.”
Attracting, retaining and delivering exceptional client outcomes and service starts with a sincere interest in their journey and remaining relevant to them as their lives and needs evolve, notes Rakowski. He points out that he and his team put in most of the work upfront in building meaningful relationships, which is a testament to its 99% client retention rate.
He says, “We are clear in the types of clients we work best with and our value proposition. We also look for a cultural alignment with all of our referral partners, and we are acutely aware of our strengths and how different we are from our industry peers.”
Rakowski recently opened a Queensland business and plans a foot in every other capital city. He strives to establish the brokerage as a national business with on-the-ground representation in every state by the end of 2025.
seinewyork.com
linkedin.com/in/monika-bolkun-4827a630
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877 237 2481
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