Hamilton, Abrams Appointed To Ohio BWC Leadership Team

"Dale and Kevin will both bring an impressive amount of experience in workers' compensation," said Buehrer. "Dale's background in the private sector and at BWC has given him a wide-ranging understanding of insurance operations as well as the distinct needs of BWC necessary to provide strong leadership. As a BWC alum and recent member of the Industrial Commission, Kevin is extremely knowledgeable of the system and well prepared to guide the development of policy that will best serve the needs of Ohio employers."

Hamilton is former head of BWC's Audit Department, where he managed internal and external auditing, developed a strategic plan and managed systems for the Health Partnership Program. Hamilton also served as a COO for Blue Cross, managing all workers' compensation administrative activities, claims, bill processing and hearings.

He most recently served in several leadership roles for Nationwide Insurance and its affiliates. He directed more than 100 sales offices as director of sales operations for Titan Insurance, lead claims management reporting as senior consultant for Nationwide, and managed all activities of Gates McDonald's HealthPlus managed care organization. Hamilton earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business, sales and production operations from Bowling Green State University.

At BWC, Hamilton will oversee the agency's Medical Services Division, Infrastructure and Technology Division, Employer Services Division, the Division of Safety & Hygiene and the Division of Field Operations. The Senate Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee will consider Hamilton's confirmation tomorrow.

As Chief of Employer Services, Kevin Abrams will manage policy coverage initiation and maintenance, delivery of programs and compliance for all state fund and self insured employers. Several department directors will report to Abrams, including Underwriting & Premium Audit, Employer Compliance, Self-Insured, and the Professional Employer Organizations and Employer Programs Units.

Abrams most recently served as commissioner for the Industrial Commission of Ohio, which conducts hearings on disputed workers' compensation claims. He was one of three commissioners responsible for establishing overall adjudicatory policy of the agency, including review of administrative rules, resolutions and policies. As Assistant Law Director for BWC from 1988 to 2005, Abrams was responsible for oversight of administrative and court settlements of BWC claims, self-insurance legal issues, bankruptcy and collection matters, and special projects involving claims issues. Abrams is also a frequent lecturer on workers' compensation issues.

Kevin Abrams earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Amherst College in Massachusetts and a law degree from the Ohio State University College of Law.

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