What is Risk Management?

Description:
This discussion introduces new risk managers to the practice of risk management in the public sector. Risk management is an essential aspect of public service. As public sector risk managers, our role is not just about minimizing risks, but rather about understanding them, navigating them and sometimes even embracing them to serve the public better. Topics covered include defining risk, unique elements of risk management in the public sector, risk management frameworks and where new risk managers can find further assistance.

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Speaker:
Sean Catanese, Enterprise Risk Management Program Manager, County of King, WA

Biography:
Sean has been the enterprise risk management (ERM) program manager for King County since 2014. He has developed King County’s ERM program from a nascent concept into a highly sought resource across the county’s diverse agencies and beyond. Sean has led projects to modernize the county’s risk management information system and claims intake process to ensure equitable, respectful and safe treatment of all. Sean was recognized as PRIMA’s 2023 Public Risk Manager of the Year. Within PRIMA, he serves on the PRIMA ERM faculty, as well as other PRIMA committees. Prior to joining King County, Sean served as a senior ERM consultant at Bickmore assisting a wide range of clients.

Occupational Safety from the Ground Level

Description:
Occupational safety is a critical field that protects individuals from hazards and risks in various environments, particularly in the workplace. Health and safety aims to create and maintain safe environments for people to work and live in by identifying, assessing, and controlling potential hazards and risks. In this blog, we will explore the concept of safety, its importance, and the measures taken to ensure the well-being of individuals in their workplaces. We will also discuss the role of safety organizations, regulations, and guidelines in enforcing standards and promoting best practices. Whether you are an employee, employer, or simply interested in the topic, this blog will provide insight into occupation safety.

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Author:
Robert Bentz, Director of Risk Management, City of Waukegan, WI

Biography:
Robert leads risk management and safety efforts for the City of Waukegan. He is dedicated to advancing risk management and training initiatives by partnering with city departments and meeting regularly. Bob established strategic interventions to mitigate the impact of on-the-job employee injuries and law enforcement liabilities. He previously served as a safety coordinator at the Lake County Health Department and served as a firefighter and paramedic for the Village of Gurnee.

Workers’ Compensation from the Ground Level

Description:
Public entities are required to provide workers' compensation for their injured employees.  The same care invested in recruiting pays dividends when applied to workers' compensation. This presentation will provide a framework upon which to design and build a successful program to protect your employees.

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Speaker:
Stephen Dawkins, Medical Director, Caduceus

Biography:
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Dawkins is board certified in occupational medicine. He is nationally recognized for his work and has been covered by the media, both print and television. He has presented nationally with respect to the treatment and prevention of injuries and illnesses related to the workplace. Dr. Dawkins has served on numerous boards and commissions including, but not limited to Emory University’s Board of Visitors, Pace Academy, Morehouse School of Medicine’s Board of Visitors, Morehouse School of Medicine’s Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Resident Advisory Committee, Earth Share, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Kid’s Chance, Georgia State University’s Rialto Theatre and The Children’s School.

Building a Safety Culture from the Ground Level

Description:
This presentation is part of a larger series designed for risk managers new to their role or seeking fresh ideas to enhance their strategies. Join Traci Krewson, a seasoned risk manager with over 20 years of experience, as she shares practical tips, real-world insights and strategies to foster a strong workplace safety culture within municipalities. This presentation provides actionable steps to help you build a safer, more collaborative work environment.

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Speaker:
Traci Krewson, Risk Manager, City of Altamonte Springs, FL

Biography:
Traci is a seasoned risk manager with over 20 years of experience in claims and risk management. For the past seven years, Traci has proudly served the City of Altamonte Springs, where she oversees comprehensive risk management strategies to protect the city and its residents. Prior to transitioning to public service, Traci spent 15 years in the private sector with a Fortune 100 insurance company. As a licensed adjuster, Traci specialized in handling complex workers' compensation and general liability claims. She later advanced to the role of claims manager, overseeing major cases and litigation while leading a high-performing regional team. Traci is a current member of the PRIMA Education Committee, received the 2024 BLOOM Excellence Award for her work championing workplace safety and human resource excellence, and has been a featured presenter and panelist, speaking on innovative risk management strategies.

Incident/Accident Reporting from the Ground Level

Description:
This PPT serves as a tool to outline what effective incident/accident reporting is and how to appropriately carry out the process to ensure that findings are properly communicated and recorded. The presentation emphasizes the importance of timely and accurate reporting to confirm that all incidents/accidents are managed in a consistent manner. Topics featured also include the investigation process and trend/data tracking.

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Speaker:
Jackie McNair, Risk Specialist, Macon-Bibb County (GA) Government

Biography:
Jackie is currently the risk specialist for Macon-Bibb County Government. She implements and enforces loss control and safety measures to minimize liabilities and job-related injuries, manages claims associated with claims against the County, or third-party liabilities, conducts investigations of accidents and property damage, prepares reports of findings and files claims on behalf of the County where appropriate. In addition to the aforementioned responsibilities, Jackie conducts or oversees announced and unannounced safety inspections of Macon-Bibb County facilities, vehicles, and equipment to identify potential safety hazards as well as advises/makes recommendations and apprises the county manager, mayor, board of county commissioners, directors and department heads on all matters related to risk management or as called upon.

Communication is Key, From the Ground Level and Beyond

Description:
Effective communication is essential for all risk professionals, particularly those new to the field, whether you're navigating complex discussions with senior leadership or addressing daily challenges with staff members. This session explores five key attributes of effective communication and offers practical strategies for incorporating them into your interactions with colleagues and stakeholders.

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Speakers:
Courtney Ramirez, Senior Vice President, Public Entity Group, Alliant Insurance Service, Inc.
Rick Pray, Associate Broker, Public Entity Group, Alliant Insurance Service, Inc.

Biographies
Courtney joined the Alliant Insurance Services team in 2006. Her expertise is in the public entity sector with an emphasis on municipalities, including local governments and states, pooled risks, and airports. Courtney enjoys a challenge and likes to think outside of the box. She has been heavily involved in finding solutions to address some of the most unique needs of many of Alliant’s public entity clients. This includes establishing a platform to control costs for state lottery agencies and developing the Alliant Deadly Weapons Response Program (ADWRP) for active shooter coverage. Courtney enjoys educating others and is proficient in reading contracts and providing recommendations for insurance requirements to mitigate risk for her clients.

Rick joined the Alliant Insurance Services team in 2022. He comes to Alliant with more than 10 years of experience in the insurance industry and a history of meeting or exceeding sales and service expectations while maintaining a customer satisfaction rating of 100%. Rick’s skills and experience with underwriting, data analysis, and account servicing are valuable assets to Alliant’s culture of creating innovative insurance solutions and client-centric service models.

Certificates of Insurance from the Ground Level

Description:
This presentation is designed to illustrate the importance of the certificates of insurance you receive from vendors and contractors. You will learn why and when you may need a certificate  and how to manage the process. Other key points discussed in the video include the various types of certificate templates, coverages and limits and the importance of specialized endorsements.

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Speaker:
Kimberlee Brazell, Insurance and Risk Management Professional, K2 Risk Consulting, LLC

Biography:
Kimberlee Brazell has over 30 years of experience in the insurance and risk management industry, with a specialization in addressing complex risks and designing tailored solutions for organizations, particularly in the Public Sector. As a third-generation broker, she has a deep understanding of the industry’s history and evolution, which informs her innovative and practical approach to managing risks. Her professional background includes key roles at leading global firms such as Aon and Marsh, where she developed expertise in navigating intricate risk management challenges. She later founded K2 Risk Consulting, LLC to provide small and mid-sized businesses with access to the high-level consulting and insurance solutions typically available only to large corporations.

General Liability Claims from the Ground Level

Description:
For public sector entities, liability claims aren’t just legal issues; they affect budgets, services, and public trust. This presentation will cover liability basics, the legal landscape and essential tools for managing liability risks effectively. Topics discussed include the elements of liability, types of damages, tort caps and immunities, statutes of limitations, and best practices for new risk managers as they approach general liability on behalf of their entity.

Click here to view the video.

Click here to view the PPT.

Speaker:
Sean Catanese, Enterprise Risk Management Program Manager, County of King, WA

Biography:
Sean has been the enterprise risk management (ERM) program manager for King County since 2014. He has developed King County’s ERM program from a nascent concept into a highly sought resource across the county’s diverse agencies and beyond. Sean has led projects to modernize the county’s risk management information system and claims intake process to ensure equitable, respectful and safe treatment of all. Sean was recognized as PRIMA’s 2023 Public Risk Manager of the Year. Within PRIMA, he serves on the PRIMA ERM faculty, as well as other PRIMA committees. Prior to joining King County, Sean served as a senior ERM consultant at Bickmore assisting a wide range of clients.

Building Bridges from the Ground Level: Relationships Matter

Description:
Relationships are a part of every aspect of our lives, and the workplace is no different. In the workplace in the realm of risk management and related fields, it is essential that good relationships are fostered with individuals in particular roles. This session is intended to provide an overview of the basic process of relationship building and different methods that may be utilized in fostering this process for those who are needing to start or start over in building relationships in their workplaces.

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Speaker:                                                  
Jamee Higgins, Safety and Risk Manager, City of Midland, TX

Biography:
Jamee began full-time at the City of Midland in April 2012 as a computer programmer. In March 2013, she became the safety and risk manager, a position she still holds, serving as a support and resource to all other divisions of the entity. Jamee pursues excellence no matter how large or small the task. For the City of Midland, Jamee administers the property and liability coverage programs, as well as the property damages recovery and hazmat cleanup billing programs, and she manages the City’s internal claims process. She also established and now oversees a robust training program for the operational divisions of the City and administers the City’s drug testing program. Jamee also coordinates special training for the various departments, occasionally presenting such sessions.

A Day in the Life of a Risk Manager

Description:
Are you new to the field of risk management or curious about what the role entails? This blog takes you behind the scenes to explore the dynamic and rewarding world of a risk manager. From morning briefings and safety inspections to managing claims and drafting policies, every day is a mix of challenges and accomplishments. Discover how risk managers keep cities safe, solve unexpected problems, and ensure smooth operations—all while making a meaningful impact on their communities.

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Author:
Traci Krewson, Risk Manager, City of Altamonte Springs, FL

Biography:
Traci is a seasoned risk manager with over 20 years of experience in claims and risk management. For the past seven years, Traci has proudly served the City of Altamonte Springs, where she oversees comprehensive risk management strategies to protect the city and its residents. Prior to transitioning to public service, Traci spent 15 years in the private sector with a Fortune 100 insurance company. As a licensed adjuster, Traci specialized in handling complex workers' compensation and general liability claims. She later advanced to the role of claims manager, overseeing major cases and litigation while leading a high-performing regional team. Traci is a current member of the PRIMA Education Committee, received the 2024 BLOOM Excellence Award for her work championing workplace safety and human resource excellence, and has been a featured presenter and panelist, speaking on innovative risk management strategies.