12/30/20

Marc’s Message Of Hope For The New Year

General Interest

As the unprecedented year of 2020 comes to a close, I cannot help but think this is a year that will not soon be forgotten. With the tragic events that have taken place, seemingly one after another, I have embraced an enhanced sense of gratitude for things I may have taken for granted in the past. The simple pleasures of the sounds of the Timbers army cheering on the team, the opportunity to take in live music at a local club, vibrant storefronts, and the bustle of activity in any of Portland’s unique neighborhoods, to name a few.

I am so grateful that at Elliott, Powell, Baden, and Baker, we have, without missing a beat, been able to respond to the challenges of the past year with an agile business model taking significant consideration of the health and safety of our team. This has allowed us to continue to provide exceptional customer service to our clients, seamlessly addressing their questions, concerns, and claims throughout 2020.

My hope for the coming year is to identify the things this past year has taught us and embrace the opportunity for change. To join together, make this world a better place for everyone.

May 2021 bring health, safety, and a renewed sense of community as we rebound towards a better tomorrow.

Marc Baker, President

Elliott, Powell, Baden, and Baker

12/23/20

EPB&B Offers Help and Hope

Community Involvement

Non-Profits

EPB&B Offering Help and Hope

This year has been difficult for so many in our community and we are grateful for the organizations that work tirelessly to support those in need. This week Elliott, Powell, Baden, had the privilege of offering our financial support in the way of a $5,000 donation to each the Blanchet House and Birch Community Services, to two local non profits that are giving hope of a better life to those who might otherwise fall through the cracks

Blanchet House is a Portland nonprofit that since 1952 has offered food, shelter and aid to all those in need of a safe place to be nourished and restored, facilitating the transformation of each life they touch with compassion and dignity.

Birch Community Services addresses the roots of hunger and economic hardship in our community. Their mission is to provide a community where people can be responsible and accountable for meeting their basic needs, and to equip them with tools to overcome financial difficulty.

We are grateful for the work these organizations do in offering hope and help to so many in our community.

EPB&B’s Frank Baccellieri and Jill Perucca presenting a check to Birch Community Services Suzanne Birch, Executive Director and Andrew Rowlett, Operations Manager

12/16/20

The Gift We Love To Give

Community Involvement

General Interest

The holidays are in full swing, but things look a little different this year. COVID restrictions, financial stress, and the inability to spend the holidays with loved ones have made it more difficult to be jolly this season. Without the big holiday parties, festive family gatherings, and anticipated visits to Santa’s workshop, this year more than ever, we need to rely on each other to spread some holiday magic. This season, please join the team at Elliott, Powell, Baden, and Baker in paying it forwards by extending kindness to others in our communities. Here are twelve simple ideas that we think are just as much fun to give as to receive. Despite the challenges this year, there are no restrictions placed on kindness.

Let someone go in front of you in the checkout line.
Smile at five strangers.
Send a thank you note to your local police or fire station.
Send a gratitude email to a coworker.
Leave treats on your doorstep or delivery people.
Pay for the car behind you at the drive thru.
Pick up litter on your afternoon walk.
Compliment the next three people you see.
Thank a medical profession for their service. (Couldn’t do this year without them!)
Leave a candy cane on a windshield with a positive message.
Let the other person take the closer parking spot.
Tell your family and friends how much you love them.

Wishing you all a safe, happy, and kind holiday season.

12/10/20

EPB&B Spreads Holiday Cheer

Community Involvement

Local

Non-Profits

At Elliott, Powell, Baden, and Baker, one of our favorite events of the year is our annual company holiday party, a night to celebrate with music, comedy, food, and sometimes a few shenanigans. This year due to COVID risk and restrictions, we have respectfully put those plans on hold.

But that doesn’t mean we didn’t find a way to spread some holiday cheer.

This year, in place of our EPB&B company holiday party, we earmarked the funds towards charitable giving, most notably, a $5,000 donation to Portland Homeless Family Solutions. PHFS is an organization dedicated to helping homeless families with children get back into housing and stay there long term. This year, we hoped to brighten the holiday for the families in the PHFS program more than ever.

At EPB&B, we believe there is no better way to celebrate the holiday than to give back to our community.

Wishing you a safe and healthy holiday.

EPB&B President Marc Baker feeling the “heat” at last years company celebration at Tony Starlight’s Supper Club

12/03/20

Protect Yourself From Cybercriminals

General Interest

Insurance for Businesses

Today, due to the Coronavirus, millions of more people are working from home. Although it cut out the morning commute, it has left many at risk of a bigger jam. Cyberattacks. Working from home has intertwined our work and personal life, leaving us vulnerable to very aggressive (and sneaky) cyber criminals trying to access our information. Now more than ever, it is essential to take steps to protect yourself, both professionally and on the homefront.

1. Passwords, Passwords, Passwords. * Thirty-seven percent of data breaches are related to weak and old passwords. Cybercriminals can find the patterns and know the tricks ( such as adding a number at the end of your well-used password). Ask yourself when the last time you changed your password, especially your social media accounts, which are a significant entry point for cybercriminals. If the answer is more than six months ago. Change it.

2. Beware of Public Wi-Fi. Think of public Wi-Fi as a video camera at a box store; using it leaves your online activities open to being watched by cybercriminals. It is a good idea to disable auto-connect on your device, so you are not automatically joining a cybercriminal created Wi-Fi SID and use your hotspot from your mobile device over public Wi-Fi whenever possible.

3. Don’t Take the Bait. One-third of us will click on malicious links. Please use caution before clicking on suspicious links, especially on social media and messaging. And especially now, with the holiday shopping season in full swing, our inboxes are flooded with suspicious ads. When you receive a link, think, why am I getting this, and do I recognize the sender? When in doubt, don’t click.

Cybercriminals do not discriminate. They will attack the CEO at a Fortune 500 or a twelve-year-old playing on their Xbox. At EPB&B, we can help you take the necessary steps to find the right insurance for your business.

*Data from 2020 Verizon Data Breach Report