Engaging With the Executive Daniel Claas, Vice President of Underwriting for Group and Individual

Each issue of Communiqué highlights an executive in one of our lines of business. We hope you will get to know the executives a little better, both professionally and personally. 

This month, we introduce you to Daniel Claas. He is the vice president of underwriting for Group and Individual. He has been with the company for 24 years. 

1. Tell us about your first job. 
   I grew up on a dairy farm in South Central Wisconsin. My first job was working in sanitation in the barn at age 5. I was cleaning up after cows. I don’t think I need to be more specific about what the job was. What I liked about it was that I got to be with the cows, cats, and dogs, and I got to work with my older siblings and parents.  
2. Describe some of your hobbies or interests outside of work. 
   At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we moved to a 2.5-acre property in Blythewood. It is a very busy property, and that’s an understatement. I guess the best term for the property is that it is a homesteading property. We grow a lot of our own food and then store it. We have a spring and fall garden, so something is always growing. The spring garden includes things such as tomatoes, peppers, garlic, green beans, squash, and cucumbers. The magic happens when you harvest and preserve it. We make salsa, marinara sauce, tomato sauce, bloody Mary mix, pepper relish, hot pepper sauce, and dilly beans, just to name a few. On the fruit side, we grow peaches, figs, pomegranates, pears, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and plums. We also have a small vineyard with muscadine grapes, both purple and scuppernong (white grapes). From those, we make wine, grape juice, and jelly. We have our own wine brand and label. It is called “Head of the Claas.” We have learned how to make muscadine wine and how to blend it with other things, such as pomegranates. The Head is our statue which sits in the garden. It’s about 12 feet tall and has a composting toilet and working shower in it. It faces the vineyard all the time, protecting it from the always-hungry deer that frequent our property. During the United Way fundraising event, we donate a couple of baskets to the auction because we enjoy sharing what we make. 
3. What’s your favorite food? If it’s from a restaurant, which one? 
   I love Italian food, and Delucca’s in West Columbia would be the restaurant. Not only are the entrees excellent, but they have the best New York-style cheesecake for dessert. 
4. What’s your favorite movie, and why? 
   I will combine the answer for this question with the question below. 
5. What’s your favorite book, and why? 
   My favorite book and movie are “The Shack,” written by William Paul Young. We can all learn from this book and movie. We have all faced struggles and all need hope in life. I like to read the book and watch the movie one time per year. 
6. Tell us about your favorite sports team. 
   The Green Bay Packers are my favorite sports team. It is part of my Wisconsin heritage. Growing up, we’d watch the games as a family. Then, after the games but before evening chores, we would play tackle football just like the Packers! In 2022, Paula and I had the opportunity to attend a game and be flag holders of the giant American flag for the national anthem. It was incredible being on the field for that. We had to practice for two hours before the game, and it takes 70 people to hold the flag. Regardless of your team affiliation, say yes to holding the flag on the field if you ever get the opportunity. 
7. Describe one or more of your pet peeves. 
   I try not to let other people get in my head enough to irritate me with something small that doesn’t really impact me. 
8. Based on your experience, what are three keys to success for employees early in their career? 
   • Treat your current job as part of your career. Invest in yourself to give yourself a better career.  
   • Identify your personal gifts in life and find out how they can be part of your career. What are your talents?  
   • Be curious about your job and your industry. Volunteer for tasks and things outside of your comfort zone. The company we work for has a wide range of jobs that you can build a career from.  
9. Whom do you admire most, and why? 
   It is my mother, Merrillyn. I have eight brothers and sisters, so there are nine kids in our family. Eight of the nine went to college. Six of the nine were college athletes, and none of us participated in organized sports until high school. We grew up on a dairy farm with 200 Holstein cows, farmed more than 400 acres, and milked cows at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day. My Dad, Charlie, was diagnosed with leukemia when I was 16. He went through chemo and survived for 11 years after the original diagnosis. He and my mom had to change roles on the farm. Mom helped with the cows, and Dad had to help when and where he could. The role changes affected all of us. We all had to learn new tasks on the farm. It turned out to be valuable cross-training. We all got along very well, and the farm did great, too, during that time. I think it gave us an appreciation for the work that our parents and the other siblings were doing. It was Mom’s incredible discipline, strength, and perseverance through that time that was incredible to witness. At age 87, she is slowing down some, but we are all still learning from her. 
10. Tell us about your greatest achievement. 
    It has not happened yet! I do set goals and have a bucket list, as well. These are for the big things in life. 

Celebrating Milestones: CGS Marks 15 Years With BlueCross and 60 Years of Medicare Service 

CGS® Administrators LLC celebrated some major milestones this summer. On June 1, the company marked 15 years as part of the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina family. In July, it commemorated 60 years of service to the Medicare program. It also marked the presidential transition to John Kimball following Steve Smith’s retirement. 

These events highlight the relationships, commitment, and expertise that continue to drive CGS and support its mission, “We IMPACT Lives.” 

In a message to employees, then-President Steve Smith reflected on CGS’ accomplishments and partnership with BlueCross. 

“I am proud to be a part of CGS and extremely proud of what you have accomplished over these 15 years,” he said. “We have a parent company that cares about our business, our company, and us. It is shown by their engagement with us at a variety of levels.” 

To celebrate 60 years of serving the Medicare program, which we began in 1966, CGS held receptions at each of its three offices in Nashville, Tennessee; Springfield, Illinois; and Columbia, South Carolina. 

“It’s been meaningful to look back on six decades of Medicare, a program that has supported the health and well-being of millions of Americans,” said President John Kimball. “CGS is committed to keep building upon that legacy and fulfilling our mission to impact lives.” 

CGS® Administrators LLC celebrated some major milestones this summer. On June 1, the company marked 15 years as part of the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina family. In July, it commemorated 60 years of service to the Medicare program. It also marked the presidential transition to John Kimball following Steve Smith’s retirement. 

These events highlight the relationships, commitment, and expertise that continue to drive CGS and support its mission, “We IMPACT Lives.” 

In a message to employees, then-President Steve Smith reflected on CGS’ accomplishments and partnership with BlueCross. 

“I am proud to be a part of CGS and extremely proud of what you have accomplished over these 15 years,” he said. “We have a parent company that cares about our business, our company, and us. It is shown by their engagement with us at a variety of levels.” 

To celebrate 60 years of serving the Medicare program, which we began in 1966, CGS held receptions at each of its three offices in Nashville, Tennessee; Springfield, Illinois; and Columbia, South Carolina. 

“It’s been meaningful to look back on six decades of Medicare, a program that has supported the health and well-being of millions of Americans,” said President John Kimball. “CGS is committed to keep building upon that legacy and fulfilling our mission to impact lives.” 

L to R: CGS President John Kimball, Former CGS President Steve Smith and Celerian® Group President Kay Andrews 
 

The CGS office in Springfield, Illinois, celebrates 15 years as part of the BlueCross family. 
 

CGS employees in Columbia, South Carolina, celebrated with dessert and balloons. 
 

L to R: Provider Outreach and Education Manager Pat Stephens, Former CGS President Steve Smith, and Technical Services and Claims Director Kay Elizer  
Pat and Kay — along with the lead appeals specialist, Janet Edmondson — have been with CGS for more than 50 years. 

In Springfield, Illinois, employees looked back at old Medicare print files. The file pictured dates back to 1968. 
 

Tune In to “ASK”: BlueCross Launches Podcast To Help Audiences Stay Informed 

We all have questions about our health, careers, health insurance and the world around us. Now, BlueCross has a new way to help answer them.  

This summer, we introduced “ASK: Always Stay Knowledgeable,” a podcast designed to bring helpful and relevant information to our members and the communities we serve.  

Through conversations with trusted experts from across the company and community, “ASK” explores topics that impact South Carolinians every day, from healthy living and wellness to understanding health insurance and sharing about careers here.  

In the first season, we welcomed our director of community relations to discover why community partnerships matter for a healthier South Carolina. An insurance expert from our customer experience area also joined to break down health insurance so members can make more informed decisions. A health coach shared helpful tips for healthy living, and one of our wellness experts tackled barriers to physical fitness.  

Their insights help listeners better understand important topics while offering practical tips they can apply in their daily lives. One of our company’s core values is innovation. The ASK podcast is bringing this core value to life by helping support creativity as well as to sharing and expressing our ideas with others. 

Future episodes will continue to cover a wide range of subjects, including health and wellness, mental health, insurance education, community initiatives, professional opportunities, company news, and more. Whether you're looking for advice on living a healthier lifestyle, navigating your benefits, or exploring career paths at BlueCross, the podcast has something for everyone. 

You can watch and listen to “ASK” on YouTube, Spotify and other social media platforms, making it easy to tune in wherever and whenever it's convenient for you. 
Have an idea for a future episode or guest? We'd love to hear it. Share your suggestions with the social media team at Social.Media@bcbssc.com as we continue building content that informs, inspires, and helps our audiences stay knowledgeable.  

Doing Good Works: Volunteering Helps Everyone 

Looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? We have employee opportunities throughout the year to support local nonprofits and make a positive impact across South Carolina. Whether you volunteer once or want to stay involved regularly, there are opportunities to match a variety of interests and schedules.

 Volunteering is a great way to connect with colleagues, develop new skills, and support causes that matter to you. This helps demonstrate our value to people. BlueCross is committed to the continuing education and personal growth of all employees. 

If you're interested in learning more about upcoming volunteer opportunities, complete the volunteer interest form today. 

The Power To Stop: Take Control of Your Lung Health 

If you smoke or use tobacco products, quitting may be one of the most important choices you ever make. 

 Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. It causes almost 9 of every 10 deaths from the disease. The smoke from cigarettes, cigars and pipes has at least 69 chemicals that can cause cancer.  

Electronic cigarettes, or vaping devices, and smokeless tobacco products such as dipping and chewing tobacco also contain chemicals that can cause cancer. This is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says there are no safe tobacco products.  

If you smoke, you are placing the people around you at risk. Secondhand smoke — or smoke from your burning tobacco that is inhaled by people nearby — can lead to cancer over time. 

Get Screened 

The CDC says you should be screened for lung cancer if: 

• You smoke now.  
• You have quit within the past 15 years. 
• You are between 50 and 80. 

You should also be screened if you have a 20 pack-year smoking history. A pack-year measures how much someone has smoked over time. It is calculated by multiplying the number of packs smoked per day by the number of years smoked. A 20 pack-year history could mean smoking one pack per day for 20 years or two packs per day for 10 years.   

Your doctor will screen you for lung cancer with a low-dose CT scan, a type of X-ray. It only takes a few minutes.  

Talk to your doctor to see if getting screened is right for you.  

Take Back Control 

Trying to quit can make you feel powerless. That’s because tobacco products contain an addictive chemical called nicotine. Over time, your body and brain get used to nicotine. This can give you withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit.  

Symptoms include:  

• Cravings. 
• Feeling angry or restless.  
• Feeling anxious or depressed.  
• Trouble focusing.
• Trouble sleeping.

The good news is there are many resources that can help you quit.  

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products contain low doses of nicotine. These doses don’t have the toxins found in other tobacco products. They can help you control cravings and other withdrawal symptoms as you quit smoking. NRT can increase your chances of quitting by 50 – 70 percent.  
NRT products include: 

• Patches. 
• Gums. 
• Lozenges. 
• Inhalers. 
• Nasal sprays.

Be sure to use NRT products as instructed. You will use most of these products for 8 – 12 weeks.  
Medications such as varenicline and bupropion can also help you control cravings as you quit. These are only available by prescription.  
Finally, you might consider counseling. It can address the mental, emotional and social aspects of quitting. You can talk to a counselor one on one or join a quitting program. 

If you are thinking about quitting, talk to your doctor. He or she can help you choose a product, medication and approach to quitting that is right for you.  
You have more power than you think you do. Take control of your lung health today.  

The CDC is an independent organization that provides health information you may find helpful.