Terry McCollum, senior vice president of claims for Alfa Insurance, retired in December after 43 years with the company. The legacy of his leadership will continue with the employees he has hired and mentored during his time with Alfa. “One thing I am most proud of is the people who work in this department and for this company,” McCollum said. “People are amazed by the longevity of folks in claims at Alfa. Usually when people come here, they don’t leave until they retire. People like that have made my job enjoyable.”McCollum became a claims adjuster in February 1962. Five years later, he was promoted to the position of district claims manager. He worked his way up to senior vice president of claims in January 1979, a position he has held for more than 25 years.Jerry Johnson, regional claims manager for north Alabama and Georgia, has been named the new senior vice president of claims. Alfa processes about 825 claims daily and more than 198,049 claims were processed in 2004 alone. Increased hurricane activity in recent years also has created challenges for the department.