IAIABC Membership Elects 2012-2013 Executive Committee

New Port, RI (WorkersCompensation.com) - The International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC), North America's oldest workers' compensation association, is proud to announce its newly-elected 2012-2013 Executive Committee. The Executive Committee provides strategic leadership and financial oversight for the Association and is comprised of ten agency executives and the Chair of the Associate Member Council. The eleven member board shapes IAIABC initiatives to “advance the efficiency and effectiveness of workers' compensation systems throughout the world.”

The 2012-2013 IAIABC Executive Committee was voted in unanimously by the IAIABC membership at the IAIABC 98^th Annual Convention during the annual business meeting, and sworn in by IAIABC Past President Alan McClain  on Thursday, October 4. Members of the 2012-2013 Executive Committee are:

Officers

President: Christine Baker, California Department of Industrial Relations

President-Elect: Jack Nolish, Michigan Workers' Compensation Agency

Vice President: Dwight Lovan, Kentucky Department of Workers' Claims

Secretary-Treasurer: Chris Godfrey, Iowa Division of Workers' Compensation

Immediate Past President: Mary Ahearn, Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission

Members-at-Large

Pamela Cohen, WorkSafeBC

Brent Hatch, Texas Division of Workers' Compensation

R.D. Maynard, Idaho Industrial Commission

Richard Thompson, Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation

David Threedy, Washington Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals

Scott Brener, Chair, IAIABC Associate Member Council, SFM

The election marks the beginning of Christine Bakers' tenure as IAIABC President. Ms. Baker is currently the Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations which is one of the largest workers' compensation systems in the world.  Ms. Baker was previously the Executive Director of the California Commission on Health, Safety and Workers' Compensation and has worked extensively with labor and management to achieve positive system change. “Her ability to bring together stakeholders and commitment to evaluating system performance will be a tremendous asset to the IAIABC,” comments Jennifer Wolf Horejsh, Executive Director of the IAIABC.

First elected to the IAIABC Executive Committee in 2005, Ms. Baker distinguished herself as the Chair of the Advisory Committee for the International Forum on Disability Management 2010. Ms. Baker brought together a broad coalition of health, safety, disability management, and workers' compensation experts for IFDM 2010. More than thirty countries came together to advance disability management knowledge and achieve public policy initiatives to provide better social protection and economic empowerment for all. “Christine's global perspective on workers' compensation brings an important dimension to the Executive Committee,” remarks Mary Ahearn, IAIABC Immediate Past President. “Her experiences in California and participation internationally will enrich the IAIABC,” Ms. Ahearn went on to say. 

This year, the IAIABC welcomes Judge Richard “Rick” Thompson, Chairman of the Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation, to the Executive Committee.  Judge Thompson has many years of experience as an attorney, specializing in the areas of mediation and workers' compensation defense.  From 2005-2007, Judge Thompson served as an Administrative Law Judge for the Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation.  Judge Thompson has been Chairman of the Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation since 2009. Chairman Thompson will bring an in-depth understanding of workers' compensation and extensive management and policy insight to the Executive Committee.

The IAIABC has achieved many successes in the past year and the Executive Committee will continue to work hard to address member needs. The Association has taken a leadership role in promoting effective strategies for reducing inappropriate opioid use in workers' compensation, facilitated ongoing dialogue on treatment guidelines, published a white paper on group self-insurance, released EDI Medical 2.0 and Proof of Coverage3.0, hosted ongoing dialogue between jurisdictions and industry stakeholders, and much more. Throughout the coming year, the Executive Committee, Committees, and Association community will continue these initiatives and address other pressing issues.

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