President's Message

The RIMS 2004 Annual Conference and Exhibition is April 18-22, 2004 in San Diego, California. The conference is the most influential event for risk management professionals.  Attracting more than 10,000 attendees and 400 exhibiting companies, the conference offers the widest range of educational and networking opportunities available.

The educational sessions include over 150 topics such as “My Policy Says What”, “Insurance Market Update”, and “Benchmarking Cost of Risk”. The class size is usually small allowing interactive exchanges between participants. In addition to the educational sessions, there are many other events during the week.

The conference offers condensed review classes for candidates studying for their ARM.

The speaker of the general session of the conference session is James Schiro. Mr. Schiro is Chief Executive Officer of Zurich Financial Services Before joining Zurich, Mr. Schiro was the Chief Executive Officer of Price Waterhouse and in 1998 led the creation of PricewaterhouseCoopers, the largest professional services firm. The Keynote luncheon speaker is Max Taylor. Mr. Taylor is deputy chairman of Aon Limited and a member of the worldwide Aon Group Executive Committee. Mr. Taylor’s responsibilities include managing and developing major client relationships. As you can see the week includes many opportunities to expand on your Risk Management skills and to network with some of the most influential individuals in insurance. The conference also affords some recreational activity such as the golf outing.

The 13^th Annual Spencer/Gallagher Golf Tournament will be held on Sunday April 18^th at three of California’s finest golf courses. The courses are Torrey Pines, Medows Del Mar and La Costa resort. The tournament is well attended; requiring three courses, and is a great way to start the week.

I hope to see many of our LA members at the conference.

Michael Carlin

L.A. RIMS President

Golf Tournament May 10^th, 2004 Brookside Country Club

Have you signed up?  Better hurry, you don’t want to miss this years LA RIMS/Zurich Charitable Golf Tour. Take advantage of our online registration at www.larims.org/golf_reg.html (coming soon!). The deadline is fast approaching and you need to register today. We are asking that you bring your business card to qualify for the prize raffle. Can’t miss this event…..sign up now!!!!

Volunteers and Prizes

Would you like to help out the annual golf tournament?  Would your company like to donate a prize for the evening raffle?  How about a small item for the golfers goody bag. Contact LA RIMS office at 818 842-6096.

Sponsors

What a better way to advertise than by sponsoring a hole at the annual golf tournament. The cost is $1,500 which includes a sign displayed on the course to let every player and businesses know that you are helping support our local RIMS Chapter. In addition, your company will be recognized in the program at the event and on our website, www.larims.org.  For more information, contact the L.A. RIMS office at 818 842-6096.

RIMS 2004 Western Regional Conference

Please plan on joining us this fall for the RIMS 2004 Western Regional Conference at the Hyatt Newporter in the Back Bay area of Newport Beach hosted by the four Southern California Chapters:  Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and Inland Empire.  This is the only closed conference remaining on the RIMS schedule and is quite a unique experience.  This means that, while we anticipate some of the speakers at the educational sessions may be brokers, underwriters, attorneys and other service providers, registration is limited to risk managers who are deputy members of RIMS (or those eligible for deputy membership) and to educational, student and affiliate members.  This leads to an open interchange with your peers to work towards resolving today’s challenges and preparing for tomorrow in a casual, relaxed environment.

The Hyatt Newporter offers 26 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds with fantastic amenities including three outdoor pools, bicycle rentals, jogging paths, a fitness center, tennis courts and an on-site 9 hole / par 3 golf course.  The hotel is undergoing a $10 million transformation of all public rooms, meeting space and guest rooms which will be completed this spring so it will truly be a grand setting for our conference.  Fashion Island and Balboa Island are within reasonable walking distance but complimentary transportation is provided if you don’t want to bother with finding a parking spot.

Local attendees are not obligated to stay at the hotel but it’s a great opportunity for a getaway since the conference guest room rate is only $130 per night (that’s not a typo – it’s one hundred and thirty dollars!!!) and also applies to stays three days before and three days after the conference dates on a space-available basis.  A special conference registration rate will be available for spouses/guests so that they can join the group for meals while taking advantage of the surroundings for the rest of the day.

The planning committee is working on the program and is open to your suggestions.  What would you like to hear about?  Have you heard any really good speakers lately?  Would you like to be a speaker?

Please pass on any ideas, comments or questions to Kathy Merkovsky at (310) 732-3971 or you can contact her at kmerkovsky@portla.org.
 

Corporate Governance...
Sarbanes Oxley…
Translation to Real World Issues

What risk management can do to communicate exposure and how to heighten your visibility in the board room.

We have four experienced individuals to help highlight some of the key issues with this topic:

Jim Peters - Ernst & Young
Marc Maister - Irell & Manella
Scott Hodgkins - Latham & Watkins
Bito Borovinsky - Marsh, LA
 

Emergency Tips for Seniors

• Assemble a disaster supply kit.
• Arrange for someone to check on you.  Include a minimum of three people who know the locations where you regularly spend our time.
• Identify the best escape routes from your home.  Have a plan for getting out safely and quickly during an emergency.
• Maintain and post a list of the special equipment and supplies, current prescription names and dosages, and names and telephone numbers of doctors near each of your telephones.
• If you use a wheelchair or some other medical equipment, show your caretakers, friends or those who may assist you during an emergency how to operate them.
• Wear a medical alert tag if necessary.
• Practice explaining to caretakers and family members how to operate your mobility aids or how to move you safely and quickly.
• Be prepared to give clear, specific and concise instructions to rescue personnel.
• Many children live with or visit their grandparents.  Keep matches, lighters, chemicals, and medicines away from the reach of children.
• Listen to information on radio or TV about hazardous weather and other events, and leave immediately if told to do so.

Tips for the Disabled

• Prepare your disaster supplies kit, which should include: a flashlight, a portable battery-operated radio, extra batteries, first aid kit, emergency food and water, manual can opener, essential medicines, cash and credit cards, and sturdy shoes.  Keep at least a three-day supply in an easy-t-carry container and make sure the container is accessible.
• Check for hazards at home.  Anything that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire is a hazard.  Check for items such as bookcases, hanging pictures or lights that could fall or block your exit during an emergency and make sure they are properly secured.
• Wear medical alert tags or bracelets to identify your disability.
• If you are dependent on a dialysis machine or some other life-sustaining treatment, be sure to know the location and availability of more than one facility.
• Install both audible and visual smoke alarms if you have a visual or hearing impairment.

Ruth Lindstrom

California Workers’ Compensation Legislation

Will we see one of the most complex political issues to confront the Capitol on the November ballot?  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has indicated that unless lawmakers can complete action on workers’ compensation reform by March 1, he would proceed with an initiative for the November ballot.

Lawmakers have held hearings on Governor Schwarzenegger’s workers’ compensation plan, but it is unlikely they will agree to a reform bill before his deadline.  Stay tuned………

ARE YOU ATTENDING THE
RIMS NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN APRIL?

If so, please be sure to attend the hot topic session
“THE LATEST – CALIFORNIA WORKERS’
COMPENSATION BENEFITS”
to be held on Thursday, April 22^nd from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM. 

This session will be sponsored by The Los Angeles Chapter of RIMS.

In this session, five experts will provide an update of the California Workers’ Compensation changing landscape by providing a brief history of past legislative changes, a refresher on California’s current situation, and an interactive discussion on new legislative laws/proposals that will affect all California employers.  This session will also discuss ideas and solutions as to what employers can do to combat the growing costs faced by companies doing business in California.

TELEDYNE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED

 Title:              Risk Management and Financial Accounting Specialist

Reports to:     Treasurer and Assistant Controller

Location:        Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
                        12333 W. Olympic Blvd.
                         W. Los Angeles, CA 90064           

Position Summary

This newly created position will work in a team environment with the Treasurer, Assistant Controller, business unit CFOs, Controllers and other personnel to accomplish a wide-range of responsibilities covering financial accounting and reporting, insurance procurement, administration of large claims and reporting of losses and policy issues to senior management and board of directors.  

Minimum Qualifications and Requirements:

Education:      BA/BS in Accounting or Finance or equivalent training or experience in the areas of accounting and risk management (insurance).

Experience:    Preferably four or more years experience in a risk management function with a successful track record of progressively responsible projects, assignments or positions (ARM and/or CPCU designation a plus). In addition, four or more years of financial accounting experience.

Skills:              Must have strong financial/accounting and analytical skills and a well-developed ability to negotiate. The ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing with all levels of management within the company is required.  Must possess ability to accomplish tasks within strict time requirements while maintaining a high degree of accuracy. To succeed, candidate will have strong to excellent PC and Microsoft Office skills (especially Excel and Access) have solid organizational skills and be detailed oriented. Candidate needs to be self-motivated and capable of working with minimal supervision. Must have knowledge and/or practical experience with managing casualty loss control issues.  Experience with Mapics G/L system and Comshare consolidation system preferred.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

 I.                     Risk Management

a.      Insurance Management—including, but not limited to:

                                                              i.      Issue and/or renew all required corporate insurance policies

                                                            ii.      Obtain and review loss information and required company data as required

                                                          iii.      Assist business units in their needs

                                                           iv.      Review and make ongoing improvements in corporate billing methodology and reserve additions and balances

                                                             v.      Review and provide recommendations

b.      Insurance Administration—including, but not limited to:

                                                              i.      Collection of data from all business units through annual of periodic surveys, property valuations, audits, etc.

                                                            ii.      Worker’s Compensation

1.      Work with facilities and insurers to reduce losses/injuries

2.      Establish corporate-wide procedures for reporting and administering claims

3.      Improve reporting to facilities, as well as to senior management

                                                          iii.      Prepare monthly accounting schedules and billing statements

II.                   Financial Accounting Specialist

a.      Monthly duties—responsible for the timely completion of:

                                                              i.      Monthly closing process

                                                            ii.      Oversee accounts payable process, including 1099 reporting

                                                          iii.      Special projects

b.      Quarterly duties/annual duties

                                                              i.      Provide support and assist in the preparation of Forms 10k, 10Q, and Earnings Releases

                                                            ii.      Consolidate annual plan

                                                          iii.      Develop corporate budget

                                                           iv.      Coordinate interim and year-end audit pack data from the operating companies

 If you are qualified for this position or know someone who is, please respond via e-mail with a résumé and any questions. 

Larry Bishop, CSP
Manager
Safety & Health Department
Zenith Insurance, San Diego
mailto: lbishop@thezenith.com
 

Proposed Slate of Officers for 2004-2005

Listed below is the proposed slate of officers submitted by the Nominating Committee for the 2004-2005 term:

President                              Nancy L. Chamber, CRM

First Vice President            Ellen Vinck

Vice President                    Janet Barnes

Vice President                    Sandy Bragman, ARM, HRM, FASHRM

Vice President                     Lance J. Ewing , ARM, CRM

Vice President                     Dan Kugler, ARM, CEBS, CPCU

Vice President                     Michael Liebowitz

Vice President                     Deborah Luthi, ARM

Vice President                    Janice Ochenkowski, ARM

Vice President                    Joseph Restoule

Following is the biography for Nancy L. Chamber:

Nancy  L. Chambers, CRM

President

Nancy Chambers is risk manager for the Waterloo Region Municipalities Insurance Pool.  This position evolved from that of risk manager for the Corporation of the City of Kitchener. A graduate of the Canadian Risk Management (CRM) program, she received the 1990-1991 awards for the highest marks of CRM graduates in Ontario and Canada, as well as the 1992 K-W Adjusters Award for honors in the Insurance Institute Associate program.  A former instructor for the University of Toronto’s CRM program, Ms. Chambers also participated in the development of the Sheridan College Risk Analyst Program.

 Prior to joining the City of Kitchener, Ms. Chambers was the risk manager for the University of Guelph and served on the Canadian University Reciprocal Insurance Exchange (CURIE) Board of Directors. 

Ms. Chambers is an active member of RIMS, currently serving as First Vice President. She has also served as RIMS Vice President – Conference and as its Vice President – Treasurer for two years. Ms. Chambers has also been a member of the Board of Directors of the Toronto Chapter, and as chair of RIMS’ Education Committee. In addition, she has spoken at local and national conferences.  Ms. Chambers was selected as the first Canadian risk manager to participate in the Spencer Education Foundation “Risk Manager in Residence” program – lecturing at Temple University in October 1999.