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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send John Alltop an Email
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John Alltop has 18 years of experience in the actuarial field, primarily in the casualty area. He is an Executive Vice President of Bickmore Risk Services, and has been a consultant since 1998. He brings extensive knowledge of insurance, underwriting, and claims operations to his work.
John specializes in self-insured programs. In that capacity, he has completed numerous assignments, including actuarial reviews of the financial position of self-insurance programs, design of cost allocation formulas for self-insurance programs, target funding policies, equity distribution plans, self-insurance feasibility studies, insurance company rate level determination reviews, and benchmarking.
John is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS), a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA), a past member of the Casualty Actuarial Society Reinsurance Committee, and has presented seminars at PARMA, CAJPA, GSRM, and HCIC. He holds a BS in Mathematics from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
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Service Expertise
Property and Casualty
Health and Benefits
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Universities and Colleges
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School Districts (K-12)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Health Care
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Construction
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Captives and Risk Retention Groups
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Email:
Click here to send Judith C. Bals an Email
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Judith Bals joined Bickmore Risk Services in July 2003. She is the Director of Workers’ Compensation Services and oversees the department specialists and consulting projects. In addition, Judith is the Workers’ Compensation Program Manager for two Joint Powers Authorities. As program manager, she is responsible for workers’ compensation claims oversight, maintenance of governing documents, preparation and maintenance of workers’ compensation claims procedure manuals, facilitating selection of third party claims administrators, contract negotiation including performance standards, and legislative updates.
Prior to joining the firm, Judith served as Senior Claims Examiner at Gregory B. Bragg & Associates, and was responsible for all aspects of Workers’ Compensation claims handling for various cities and municipalities. She also served as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist for HIH Insurance/Intercare Insurance Services with responsibility for oversight of vocational rehabilitation benefits, including return to work, vocational rehabilitation services and defense. In a different capacity, Judith held the position of claims examiner specializing in large specialty accounts.
Judith attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, the University of Oregon, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She is certified in California as a Self-Insurance Administrator and a Workers' Compensation Claims Professional.
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Service Expertise
Return to Work
Claims Audits
Claims Management
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Universities and Colleges
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School Districts (K-12)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Construction
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send Carol M. Barake an Email
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Carol Barake has over 20 years of experience providing occupational health and safety consulting services to private consulting firms and the insurance industry. Her expertise includes design and delivery of health and safety training programs, program development and audits, development of strategic plans, and facilitation of client teams implementing health and safety program elements.
Carol is an instructor in the University of California, Davis Health & Safety Extension Program and the UC Davis Campus Professional Development Series. She is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), an active member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association, and former board member in the southern California and Sacramento Valley sections. Carol earned her MS from California State University, Northridge.
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Service Expertise
Risk Control
Risk Control
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Email:
Click here to send Rick C. Brush an Email
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Rick Brush is responsible for the management of new private self-insurance groups formed to provide workers' compensation coverage. Rick manages the group formation process from beginning to end, overseeing the initial feasibility study; financial review; and working with the industry group to create an operating plan, obtain regulatory approval, and implement the plan. Since joining BRS in 2003, Rick has formed five self-insurance groups, two of which he now serves as the Executive Director.
Prior to joining BRS in 2003, Rick served as CEO/President in charge of operations for the California Society of Association Executives (CalSAE), a non-profit corporation and the fourth largest Society of Association Executives in the nation. He holds a BS from Arizona State University, Tempe.
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Service Expertise
Program Management
Industry Specialization
School Districts (K-12)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Construction
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send Jim Elledge an Email
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As the Director of Finance and Accounting, Jim Elledge leads a team of professionals who perform accounting, financial reporting, treasury management, and project work for BRS clients. Jim also participates in consulting engagements with state and local government entities and has experience in risk financing, regulatory matters, and project management.
Jim has been working specifically with California public and private agencies for over twelve years, and has been providing accounting and financial reporting services to self-insured groups since joining BRS in 1999. In addition, he has provided consulting services to individual and group self-insurers in the areas of cost allocations, budgets, financial statements, and specialized financial analysis. Jim is currently providing finance and accounting consulting services to the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board, Office of Self-Insurance (NYS WCB), and participating in the review of regulations governing the NYS WCB’s four self-insurance programs.
Prior to joining BRS, Jim was a senior auditor with both KPMG LLP and Gilbert Accountancy Corporation, where he provided audit services to self-insured groups, educational agencies, and manufacturing companies.
Jim is a member of the California Association of Joint Powers Authorities (CAJPA) Finance Information Group. He holds a BS in business administration and accounting from California State University, Sacramento.
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Service Expertise
Finance and Accounting
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
/
Universities and Colleges
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Email:
Click here to send Ruth Graf-Urasaki an Email
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Ruth Graf-Urasaki joined Bickmore Risk Services as a Litigation Manager and Consultant in 2008. As Litigation Manager, Ruth manages the employment law claims for an Employment Practices Liability pool consisting of more than 160 cities and special districts. In her capacity as a consultant, Ruth assists public and private entity clients in their efforts to develop professional workplace cultures where employees can thrive. In addition to her consulting work, Ruth also tailors training programs that meet the specific needs of private and public sector clients. Training includes all aspects of employment practices, from harassment and discrimination prevention to hiring and firing best practices.
Recognized for her strong professional competence and real world experience, Ruth's areas of practice include representing clients in state and federal court employment litigation, administrative procedures before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Fair Employment and Housing Commission, disciplinary matters, and administrative hearings. Prior to joining BRS, she was with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore.
A popular public speaker, Ruth holds a JD from the University of Wisconsin Law School, and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a BA in history.
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Service Expertise
Litigation Management
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Universities and Colleges
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School Districts (K-12)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Email:
Click here to send Charles D. Gray an Email
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Chuck Gray's expertise is in the management of workers’ compensation, property, automobile, and liability risk. He is a nationally recognized speaker and leading advocate of the integration of systems theory with value, behavior, and culture-based safety. Chuck has been instrumental in the integration of safety into the culture of many public and private entities. He is adept at establishing safety management accountability and integrating safety into the culture as part of an enterprise approach to managing risk.
Prior to joining BRS, Chuck was an executive at CIGNA Property and Casualty Group. In that role, he had responsibility for controlling risk for a $3 billion book of business and managing an organization of 165 risk management and risk control professionals.
Chuck holds a BA from Adams State College, and is a Board Certified Professional (CSP) and Certified Professional Environmental Auditor (CPEA).
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Service Expertise
Risk Control
Risk Control
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
/
Universities and Colleges
/
School Districts (K-12)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Health Care
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Construction
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Captives and Risk Retention Groups
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Email:
Click here to send Michael Groff an Email
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Michael Groff is a licensed staff attorney with 25 years of litigation experience representing private and public sector clients in state and federal courts. A former in-house claims attorney and a partner in two well-known, independent insurance defense firms, he is active in several risk management associations and teaches risk management for the Insurance Educational Association (IEA).
Michael holds a JD from McGeorge School of Law, an MS in space studies law and policy from the University of North Dakota, and a BS in history from Oregon State University.
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Service Expertise
Litigation Management
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Universities and Colleges
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Captives and Risk Retention Groups
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Email:
Click here to send Jeffrey C. Grubbs an Email
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In his role as Chief Financial Officer, Jeff Grubbs oversees the financial management of the firm. Among his responsibilities are budgeting and forecasting; cash management; financial modeling; analyses of contract pricing, performance metrics and operational efficiencies; and contract negotiation. Jeff has 18 years of experience in the risk management industry that includes having served as Finance Manager and Assistant Treasurer for several JPAs and self-insured group clients.
Prior to joining BRS in 1991, Jeff provided tax preparation and consulting services to both corporate and individual clientele at Ernst & Young. He also served as financial auditor and tax preparer to a wide range of organizations in the Greater Los Angeles area from 1987 to 1989 at Deloitte.
Jeff holds an MS in taxation from Golden Gate University, and a BS in accounting from California State University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Sacramento Chapter of Financial Executives International.
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Service Expertise
Corporate Finance
Industry Specialization
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Email:
Click here to send Michael S. Harrington an Email
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Mike Harrington provides actuarial and risk management consulting services to public entity pools and self-insured organizations. With over 17 years in the actuarial field, Mike's experience includes ratemaking, reserving, financial modeling, and catastrophe management.
Prior to joining BRS in 2003, Mike served as an actuary for a nationwide insurance company. He was responsible for performing rate reviews for the Commercial Multi-Peril and Automobile lines, including development of indicated rate changes and coordinating review schedules for 25 states.
Mike is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS) and serves on its Examination Committee, and is a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA). He holds a BA in mathematics and economics from the University of California, Davis.
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Service Expertise
Property and Casualty
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Health Care
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send Robin Johnson an Email
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Robin Johnson joined BRS as a Consultant in 2007 to provide risk management consulting for public entities. With over 30 years of experience in the areas of insurance, self-insurance, and risk management, he has managed public entity pools and captives and provided consulting services to self-insurance groups, risk retention groups, and captives.
Prior to joining the firm, Robin worked for Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. and Commercial Insurance Alternatives, Inc. He is well known within the industry, and is a contributor to its publications and conferences.
Robin holds a JD from Golden Gate University. His professional certifications include Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), and Associate in Risk Management (ARM ).
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Service Expertise
Program Management
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
/
Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Captives and Risk Retention Groups
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send Jeff Johnston an Email
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Jeff Johnston joined BRS with over 15 years of safety and risk control experience. In his role as Director, Risk Control Services, he provides safety and risk management consultative services and training to various public and private clients, including schools, cities, counties, and special districts. In addition to assisting with safety compliance issues, Jeff specializes in identifying opportunities where safety and risk management can be integrated into an organization's values.
Jeff's prior experience includes several years of general safety consulting in the insurance industry, and over eight years of risk management consulting for a pool of 300 public water agencies. He was instrumental in developing and customizing targeted safety programs to control general liability, property and workers' compensation exposures, and also designed and presented numerous regional and statewide training sessions to address those exposures.
Jeff is a member, past Chapter President, and Board Delegate of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). He holds a BS from California State University, Sacramento, and is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate in Loss Control Management (ALCM), and an Associate in Risk Management (ARM).
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Service Expertise
Risk Control
Risk Control
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
/
Universities and Colleges
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School Districts (K-12)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Construction
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send Michael Kaddatz an Email
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Michael Kaddatz has over 30 years of experience providing risk management consulting to governmental agencies, pooling organizations, and individual enterprises. He co-founded ARM Tech in 1982, and served as its managing director until 2008.
Prior to 1982, Michael held a senior executive risk management position at Southern California Edison (SCE). He also served as a regional casualty underwriter executive at Employers Insurance of Wausau.
Michael is Past Governing Chair of the Society of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters’ Risk Management Section, and is Past President of the Society of Risk Management Consultants. A popular industry writer and presenter, Michael has authored numerous articles for leading journals and publications, and speaks often at PARMA and other gatherings of public risk managers.
Michael holds a BS in business administration and economics from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. His professional designations include Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), and Associate in Risk Management (ARM).
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Service Expertise
Risk Management Consulting
Risk Management Audits
Program Management
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
/
Universities and Colleges
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Health Care
/
Construction
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Captives and Risk Retention Groups
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send Brian C. Kelley an Email
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Brian Kelley joined BRS in 2000. Highly knowledgeable in all aspects of client services, programs, and processes, he currently provides administration and risk management to three major California JPAs.
Before assuming his role at BRS, Brian led teams at CalFarm Insurance and at California State Automobile Association, investigating property and casualty claims, determining liability, negotiating settlement alternatives, and setting reserves for claims.
Brian holds an MBA and a BS from California State University, Sacramento. He is also certified as an Associate in Risk Management (ARM).
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Service Expertise
Program Management
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
/
Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send John Kirk an Email
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John Kirk joined BRS in January 2009 to assume the position of Executive Director of the Oregon Contractors Workers’ Compensation Trust, Inc. In this leadership and management role, John is responsible for the trust’s administration and finances, safety and loss control, and claims oversight services. Highly experienced and qualified in all areas of organizational development, risk management, and human resources, John is known for his ‘can-do’ style and proven, team-driven processes.
Prior to joining BRS, John served as Senior Vice President and General Manager at Succeed Management Solutions in Wilsonville, Oregon. He also held the position of Manager, Safety and Workers Compensation/Employer Development Services at Cascade Employers Association in Salem, Oregon.
A member of the Society of Human Resource Professionals, John is a Board Certified Safety Professional (CSP), and an Associate in Risk Management (ARM). He holds a BA from Arizona State University.
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Service Expertise
Program Management
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Construction
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send Tom Kline an Email
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Tom Kline provides safety and risk management consultative services to various public sector risk clients, including cities and special districts. He helps clients to assess their risk, establish and manage loss control programs, and comply with state and federal standards. Tom also provides safety and risk management training on a wide range of subjects.
Prior to joining BRS in 2001, Tom spent over 18 years managing safety, health, emergency response, and fire prevention programs for large private sector employers, which resulted in substantial decreases in injuries, workers' compensation costs, and property losses.
A former member of various trade associations and environmental, health, and safety committees, he is presently an active member of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). Tom holds a BS from State University of New York, Binghamton, as well as Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) designations.
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Service Expertise
Risk Control
Risk Control
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send L. Robert Kramer an Email
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Rob Kramer is Managing Director of the Program Administration Practice. He has experience in various consultative areas, such as administration of self-insurance programs; formation of new self-insurance group programs; development of governing documents and coverage memoranda; meeting facilitation; development of proposals; benchmarking studies; and review of contracts and agreements for proper transfer of risk. Rob has been with the firm since 1990.
Beyond his role as Administration Practice Leader, Rob previously served as Executive Director of six public entity joint powers insurance authorities and private self-insurance group clients. He has also served as the interim administrator for several groups.
Rob earned his JD at McGeorge School of Law, his MBA at California State University, Sacramento, and his BA at the University of Notre Dame. Rob also holds the designation of Associate in Risk Management (ARM).
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Service Expertise
Program Management
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send Linzie E. Kramer an Email
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Linzie Kramer has served as lead Litigation Manager for all JPA clients since 1989, providing oversight of each claim having a potential affect on client-pooled funds. His experience with the judicial system is extensive, having previously served 17 years as a contract and city attorney for the City of Vacaville, California; 16 years as a partner in a private law firm; and 3 years as Staff Judge Advocate for the U.S. Air Force.
Linzie remains active in the California City Attorney Association and the National Institute of Municipal Law Officers, serving on the Risk Management/Litigation Committee. He earned his JD at Hastings College of Law, and his BA at the University of Notre Dame.
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Service Expertise
Litigation Management
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send David M. Luke an Email
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As a Senior Consultant with Bickmore Risk Services, David Luke specializes in the areas of risk financing, coverage review, contractual risk transfer, and loss control. He has fifteen years of risk management experience, including consulting for public entities and risk pools nationwide.
For seven years prior to joining BRS, David was a Senior Consultant with ARM Tech / Aon Global Risk Consulting. While there, he also served as an Accreditation Consultant to the California Association of Joint Powers Authorities (CAJPA).
David’s previous experience includes having worked as Director of Human Resources and Risk Management for The Arc of San Diego, a non-profit agency serving San Diego County. In addition to managing the agency’s risk financing and loss control program, he advised management on proper employee hiring, performance evaluation, discipline, termination, and leave procedures. He was also responsible for investigating employee misconduct and managing employment liability litigation against the agency.
David began his career with the State of South Dakota Office of Risk Management, which administered the Public Entity Pool for Liability (PEPL) Fund, the State’s tort liability self-insurance program. He was responsible for conducting risk management audits of state agencies, advising state agencies in the area of loss control and contractual risk transfer, and assisting in the administration of tort liability claims.
David earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation from the Insurance Institute of America. He has written numerous articles on insurance and risk management topics, and has been a presenter at the Public Agency Risk Management Association (PARMA) and Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA) conferences.
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Service Expertise
Risk Management Consulting
Risk Control
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Captives and Risk Retention Groups
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send Catherine L. MacLeod an Email
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Catherine MacLeod brings 22 years of actuarial experience to BRS. Her current focus is on public entities within California and Nevada, and compliance with GASB 43/45 accounting standards.
Prior to joining the firm, Catherine was a consulting actuary with Independent Actuaries, Inc., and Howard Johnson & Company. She also served as Actuary and Manager for Standard Insurance Company. With management and consulting expertise in qualified retirement plans and defined benefit plan actuarial services, she is also highly knowledgeable in 401(k) and profit sharing plans.
Catherine holds an MS and BA from Ball State University. She is a Fellow in the Society of Actuaries (FSA), a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA), and a member of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries. She sits on the ASPPA Legislative Relations Committee, and is a Board Member of the Western Pension & Benefits Club, Portland Chapter.
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Service Expertise
Health and Benefits
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Universities and Colleges
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School Districts (K-12)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Health Care
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send Gary J. Martin an Email
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Gary Martin joined BRS in 2007 as Managing Senior Consultant and Senior Client Advisor. His professional career includes senior executive positions at Marsh USA, Inc. and Aon Corporation, as well as the position of Risk Manager for the City of Manhattan Beach, California.
Former Regional Vice President of the Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA), Gary was the founder of PRIMA's California chapter and its charter president. He has been published frequently in National PRIMA Magazine and Business Insurance Magazine.
Gary's professional affiliations include membership in CAJPA, PARMA, and PRIMA. He holds an MA from California State University, Los Angeles, and a BA from the University of California, Los Angeles.
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Service Expertise
Industry Specialization
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send Jacquelyn L. Miller an Email
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Jackie Miller's career in the workers' compensation industry spans more than 20 years. She is known in both the public and private sector for her exceptional knowledge of claims oversight, procedures, and governing documents. An expert in technical and contract compliance audits for multiple jurisdictions, Jackie is also highly experienced in facilitating the selection of third- party claims administrators, negotiating contracts, and providing legislative updates.
Jackie is California State Certified to administer self-insurance workers' compensation programs. She is also approved by the Industrial Commission of Arizona to administer claims.
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Service Expertise
Claims Audits
Claims Management
Industry Specialization
Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
/
Health Care
/
Construction
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Captives and Risk Retention Groups
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Technology
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send Dennis Mitchell an Email
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Dennis Mitchell has over 30 years’ experience in the claims industry, primarily managing full-service, multi-line claim operations for national insurance carriers. His service expertise encompasses claim audits; procedure and workflow analysis; litigation management; and auto, general liability, workers’ compensation, and property claims handling. In addition to providing a thorough analysis of client claim administration programs, Dennis evaluates compliance with state laws, claim administration contracts, and industry best practices.
Prior to joining BRS, Dennis was a Senior Claims Consultant at ARM Tech / Aon Global Risk Consulting. He was responsible for leading and assisting with claim audits for a variety of public and private sector clients, working with them and their claim administrators to improve the quality of claim outcomes.
Dennis holds a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Francis College in New York. He has frequently taught advanced workers’ compensation classes for the Insurance Educational Association.
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Service Expertise
Claims Audits
Litigation Management
Claims Management
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send Terrie S. Norris an Email
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With over 20 years of extensive experience protecting people, property, and the environment, Terrie Norris is a recognized leader in risk management and loss control. Her responsibilities as Risk Control Manager include providing a wide range of safety and risk management consultative services to public and private entity clients in southern California.
Terrie's prior experience includes managing risk control technical staff, delivering risk control and management services to private and public entities, conducting risk control audits, ergonomic assessments, site security assessments, developing loss control and training programs, and implementing corrective action plans.
An ASSE member since 1987, Terrie is currently the Senior Vice President of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). This position leads to President of the Society in 2011. She has served two terms as Region I Vice President, and as Orange County Chapter President, Treasurer, and Delegate.
Terrie is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), an Associate in Risk Management (ARM), a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CSPI), and holds certification in Comprehensive Practices and Management Aspects. Terrie has a BS in business administration from Nazareth College.
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Service Expertise
Risk Control
Risk Control
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
/
Universities and Colleges
/
School Districts (K-12)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send Mary Beth O'Connell an Email
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Mary Beth O'Connell brings over 25 years of practical, client-focused experience in the safety, health, and risk control fields. She provides BRS clients with safety and risk management services and training to address risks, exposures, and support internal accountability for the risk control process. Her expertise includes a wide variety of employers among private and public sector entities and nonprofit agencies.
Prior to joining BRS, Mary Beth established and facilitated the first safety and health consulting practice for Goldman Insurance Services, a San Francisco regional broker. She was also a senior safety consultant for Crawford/The FPE Group Risk Control Services. Mary Beth authored a chapter in the Essentials of Safety and Health Management (first and second editions), and is also an instructor for the Safety Center Incorporated. She holds a nursing diploma from Sisters of Charity School of Nursing, a BA from St. Mary's College of California, is a Certified Occupational Health Nurse Specialist (COHN-S), and Associate in Risk Management–Public Entities (ARM-P).
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Service Expertise
Risk Control
Risk Control
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
/
Universities and Colleges
/
School Districts (K-12)
/
Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Health Care
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send Holly A. Pon an Email
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Involved in the workers’ compensation industry for over 15 years, Holly Pon has a diverse background in claims management, business process analysis, and product development. She joined BRS in August 2004, and serves on the staff administering our private self-insurance group business.
As a program manager, Ms. Pon is responsible for workers’ compensation claims oversight, maintenance of claims procedures, loss development analysis, and development of various cost containment tools such as Medical Provider Networks and Return-to-Work Programs. Holly developed her experience working for a large insurance company as a claims examiner, supervisor, regional supervisor, and home office product superintendent. From a technical standpoint, she has multi-jurisdictional exposure in workers’ compensation claims handling, and served as the workers’ compensation business lead in developing an electronic claim reporting system and an integrated disability solution which combined benefit and medical treatment delivery across workers’ compensation, short-term, and long-term disability. Ms. Pon served as a consultant to design and implement this integrated disability product for one of the “Big Three” automakers.
Ms. Pon is California State certified to administer self-insurance programs. She is currently completing coursework for a certification in disability management.
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Service Expertise
Return to Work
Claims Management
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Phone:
Email:
Click here to send Gerry Preciado an Email
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Gerry Preciado, a licensed attorney, is responsible for the Employment Practices Liability (EPL) consulting practice at BRS. He consults with public and private entity clients to assist them in their efforts to develop professional workplace cultures where employees can thrive. In addition to his consulting work, Gerry also tailors training programs that meet the specific EPL needs of private and public sector clients. A sought after speaker who has been invited to speak at conferences across the country, Gerry holds a JD and BA from the University of California, Los Angeles. Prior to joining BRS in 2003, he was a trial attorney with the law firm of Bullivant Houser Bailey PC, and was part of the employment litigation and counseling practice group of several other law firms.
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Service Expertise
Employment Practice Liability
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Universities and Colleges
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School Districts (K-12)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Click here to send Mark Priven an Email
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Mark Priven is a Risk Financing Senior Consultant and an actuary with extensive experience serving both public and private agencies and pools over the last 15 years. Active in the risk management industry, Mark currently serves on the California Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau Actuarial Committee, is a Member of the National Academy of Social Insurance, and is Past President of Casualty Actuaries of the Bay Area (CABA).
Mark is a frequent speaker at industry conferences, such as RIMS, Institutional Investor, PARMA, CAJPA, and ASSE. He has presented on a variety of topics, including Enterprise Risk Management; Insurance Regulation; Impact of Workers' Comp Reform; Measuring the Effectiveness of Risk Control; Total Cost of Risk; Actuarial Reserving; Insurance vs. Gambling; and Benchmarking. Mark also taught a class for several years to actuaries on retrospective rating, pricing individual accounts, excess loss pricing, and risk classification.
Prior to joining BRS, for five years Mark was Vice President supporting retail brokerage clients at one of the largest international brokerage firms. He provided risk managers and brokers with loss forecasts, reserve studies, cost allocation plans, program comparisons, risk retentions analyses, benchmarking, and price negotiations, and assisted in program design and feasibility studies for finite risk, captives, and self-insurance.
As a Senior Reserving Analyst for one of California’s largest insurance companies, Mark was responsible for special studies of $1 billion in workers’ compensation reserves and claims handling costs. He also served as lead actuary supporting captives and franchise/association accounts.
Mark holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania. He also completed coursework at the University of Bristol.
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Service Expertise
Regulatory Projects
Finance and Accounting
Property and Casualty
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Universities and Colleges
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School Districts (K-12)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Health Care
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Construction
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Captives and Risk Retention Groups
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Click here to send Teri Rohrer an Email
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Teri Rohrer serves as BRS' internal liaison to staff and the Board of Directors.
Prior to joining BRS, Teri held positions providing global human resources and administration support to a major international airline carrier, a biotechnology firm, and a college/online recruiting services organization. She holds a BA from the University of California, Los Angeles, and certifications as Senior Professional in Human Resources and Consumer Driven Health Counselor.
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Service Expertise
Employment Practice Liability
Human Resources
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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School Districts (K-12)
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Click here to send Julie Theirl an Email
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As Manager, Return to Work Programs, Julie Theirl and her team of Return to Work Coordinators manages the BRS Structured Return to Work Program for nearly 100 employers. From implementation to benchmarking, Julie ensures that BRS clients are achieving their goals and reducing claims and costs. She also conducts Return to Work audits for those employers wishing to evaluate their own programs and practices.
Julie Theirl has over two decades of work and consulting experience in risk management and human resources. Her specialties include disability/absence management, workers' compensation program management, benefits/wellness programs, litigation management, contract review, insurance procurement, and labor negotiations.
A two-term past president and current active member of the California Chapter of PRIMA, Julie has been a member of several national PRIMA committees, including its Leadership Development Committee. Julie has been on the Executive Committee of the California Joint Powers Risk Management Authority (CJPRMA), and is an active member of PARMA. A three-term past president of the Big Independent Cities Excess Pool and three-term past president of the California Campus Environmental Health and Safety Association (CCEHSA), Julie is on the ICMA Technical Advisory Committee member. In 1994, she was awarded CCEHSA Safety Person of the Year.
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Service Expertise
Return to Work
Claims Management
Sales and Marketing
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Universities and Colleges
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School Districts (K-12)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Construction
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Click here to send Karen L. Thesing an Email
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Karen Thesing joined BRS in 2004 as a pool administrator for joint powers authorities (JPAs). She is responsible for the professional leadership of two multi-million dollar self-insured public entity risk sharing JPAs consisting of 31 Housing Authorities and a 20-member municipal JPA. Her role includes being routinely involved in complex insurance activities, developing program budgets, providing insurance selection/risk management guidance, direct dealings with governing boards, and overseeing day-to-day client operations.
Prior to joining BRS, Ms. Thesing served as the general manager for the Public Agency Risk Sharing Authority of California (PARSAC), comprised of 37 small to medium California cities. As general manager, she provided professional leadership in the administration and execution of policies and objectives formulated by the Board of Directors. She brings more than 22 years of insurance industry expertise, and has worked exclusively with public agencies since 1992.
Prior to working with PARSAC, Ms. Thesing served as Division Head of Risk Management for the City of Mountain View, administering a $6 million annual risk management budget and daily operation of the Division. She successfully partnered with city departments, including Police and Fire, to solve issues and create comprehensive risk management solutions.
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Service Expertise
Program Management
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Click here to send Frederick C. Treffinger an Email
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Fred Treffinger has over 20 years of experience developing property/casualty applications. He supports database and actuarial projects and consults on information technology issues.
Prior to joining BRS, Fred held positions as data warehousing architect at Allied Insurance, and director of data warehousing at CalFarm Insurance. He also developed ratemaking and reserving applications at Fireman's Fund and marketing applications at Allstate Insurance. Fred holds a BS from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Certificate in Programming from the Computer Learning Center, San Francisco.
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Service Expertise
Information Services
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Technology
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Click here to send Gregory L. Trout an Email
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Gregory L. Trout is President of Bickmore Risk Services (BRS). He has served as administrator for a wide variety of public and private self-funded programs, and currently provides risk management consulting to various public and private sector employers, associations, and risk retention programs. He served as Principal-in-Charge for the Study of the Effects of Legislative Reforms on California Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rates conducted by BRS for the State of California, Division of Workers’ Compensation, and is currently involved in self-insurance regulatory studies for the State of New York.
With over 30 years of experience in self-insurance and risk management, Mr. Trout has served as the lead consultant in the formation of many risk sharing programs throughout the United States. He formed and managed the California State Association of Counties Excess Insurance Authority (CSAC-EIA), a statewide, multi-line pool for California counties, which is now the largest public entity risk sharing program in the country.
Mr. Trout was a founding member and first president of the California Association of Joint Powers Authorities (CAJPA), and founder of the California Institute for Public Risk Analysis. He also served as lead consultant to twenty state attorneys general in an anti-trust action against domestic and foreign insurance companies. This litigation led to the formation of the Public Entity Risk Institute (PERI).
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Service Expertise
Risk Management Consulting
Risk Management Audits
Regulatory Projects
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Universities and Colleges
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Captives and Risk Retention Groups
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Click here to send Kristen Vanscourt an Email
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Kristen Vanscourt is the Workers’ Compensation Services Manager and the Return to Work Coordinator for the Independent Cities Risk Management Authority (ICRMA). She is responsible for workers’ compensation claims oversight, maintenance of governing documents, preparation and maintenance of workers’ compensation claims procedure manuals, facilitating selection of third party claims administrators, contract negotiation including performance standards, and legislative updates. As the Return to Work Coordinator, Ms. Vanscourt is responsible for overseeing the Structured Return to Work Program (SRTWP), including day-to-day reporting of new injuries to Company Nurse and coordinating return to work with injured workers, members, and physicians.
Prior to joining BRS in May 2008, Ms. Vanscourt worked for the City of Pomona as a Workers’ Compensation Claims Supervisor with responsibility for managing the City’s self-insured and self-administered Workers’ Compensation Program, including claims handling, oversight of utilization review services, bill review services, defense attorney selection, and Return to Work. Prior to that, she served as a Workers’ Compensation Claims Supervisor for the County of San Bernardino, which also has a self-insured and self-administered Workers’ Compensation Program. Ms. Vanscourt supervised the County’s claims examiners, claims assistants, and clerical staff. She has held positions as a Senior Claims Examiner for several third party administrators and insurance companies, handling claims for many specialized accounts, such as school districts, home improvement groups, and automobile manufacturers.
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Service Expertise
Return to Work
Claims Management
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Click here to send Tammy Vitali an Email
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Tammy Vitali has been with BRS since July 2000, and serves as the Workers’ Compensation Services Manager for two Joint Powers Authorities. Her responsibilities include workers’ compensation claims oversight, maintenance of governing documents, preparation and maintenance of workers’ compensation claims procedure manuals, facilitating the selection of third party claims administrators, contract negotiation including performance standards, and legislative updates.
Tammy’s involvement in the workers’ compensation industry spans 23 years. She has worked for third party administrators, an insurance company, and a bill review company. From 1999 to 2000, Tammy was responsible for investigation and settlement of workers’ compensation claims as a Senior Claims Examiner at HIH Insurance. Her prior experience includes serving as Branch Manager for a third party claims administrator, handling claims for a large county in southern California, and serving as Operations Manager for a bill review company in southern California. Tammy was responsible for the retention, recruitment, and placement of insurance professionals and bill review personnel from 1991 to 1999. She has also held positions as senior claims examiner and claims supervisor.
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Service Expertise
Claims Audits
Claims Management
Industry Specialization
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Click here to send Jo Ann Wood an Email
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Jo Ann Wood has over 32 years’ claims industry experience, including eight years as a consultant to private entities, public entities, and risk pools nationwide. She specializes in claims management from claims intake through disposition. Her focus at BRS is claims consulting and auditing.
Prior to joining the firm, Jo Ann was the Claims Consulting Practice Leader for ARM Tech / Aon Global Risk Consulting, and served clients by performing claim audits, preparing procedure manuals, assisting with claim administration selections, and evaluating claim processes, staffing, and organization. Her focus is to ensure compliance with tort or workers’ compensation laws, claims administration and peripheral service contract terms, and industry best practices. Her expertise encompasses auto liability, general liability, workers’ compensation, professional liability, and property claims handling in multiple jurisdictions.
Jo Ann earned her Bachelor of Science from Arizona State University. She is certified by the California Department of Industrial Relations Self-Insurance Plans, and holds Adjustor Licenses in Arizona, Wyoming, and Texas.
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Service Expertise
Claims Audits
Claims Management
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Click here to send Jeanette Workman an Email
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Jeanette Workman brings over 20 years of experience providing administration services to public entity self-insurance pools. Jeanette is a founding partner of BRS and serves as Executive Director for two substantial JPA pool clients: the Central San Joaquin Valley Risk Management Authority, a joint powers authority consisting of 55 cities in the San Joaquin Valley; and the Local Agency Workers' Compensation Excess Joint Powers Authority, an excess workers' compensation joint powers authority consisting of 36 cities, special districts and JPAs. She is a member of California Institute of Public Risk Analysis (CIPRA), Public Agency Risk Management Association (PARMA), and Public Risk & Insurance Management Association (PRIMA). Jeanette holds an Associate in Risk Management from the Insurance Institute of America and a degree from Heald Business College.
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Service Expertise
Program Management
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Universities and Colleges
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Click here to send Erike Young an Email
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Erike Young has been with the firm since 2003. In addition to providing safety and risk management consultative services to BRS clients nationwide, Erike is a leader in BRS' use of technology to make the delivery of risk control services and training more efficient and effective.
Prior to joining BRS, Erike served 13 years as the regional safety specialist for Raley's Supermarkets, Inc., a privately held, self-insured supermarket chain of over 150 stores, including 40 stores in New Mexico and Nevada, as well as a 400-employee distribution center in California. While at Raley's, Erike played a critical role in developing and customizing targeted safety programs to control exposures. He also has extensive experience in developing comprehensive injury and illness prevention programs and safety incentive programs that comply with IRS guidelines. Erike is Chapter President and Member of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), and a member of the National Safety Management Society (NSMS), American Association for Public Opinion Researchers (AAPOR), and Public Agency Safety Management Association (PASMA). He earned his MPPA from California State University, Sacramento and BA from the University of California, Davis.
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Service Expertise
Risk Control
Risk Control
Industry Specialization
Local Governments (Cities, Counties, Special Districts)
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Universities and Colleges
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School Districts (K-12)
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Joints Powers Authorities (Self-Insurance)
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Self-Insured Groups and Trusts
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Technology
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