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2009 Speakers
Christine Baker, Executive Officer Cynthia Barber, West Coast Safety and Environmental Manager Donald R. Barthel, Esq., Partner Douglas Benner, MD, FACOEM, Coordinator of Occupational Health Ronnie Caplane, Commissioner Kenneth J. Christopher, Esq., Partner Mary Ciddio, MA, CRC, CDMS, D/ABVE, Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant Brian S. Crone, Esq., Partner Mark DeSaulnier, Senator Dennis Downing, President Jill A. Dulich, Senior Director, Marriott Claims Services John C. Duncan, Director Assembly Member Michael D. Duvall Katie Fox, MSCC, Compliance & Resolution Manager – MSP Roy A. Franco, J.D., Director, Risk Management Strategies Raymond E. Frost, Esq., Principal Susan Gard, Chief, Legislation and Policy Nanette S. Goldberg-Hauser, Ed.M., CRC, CCM, CPDM, Return to Work Coordinator Kelly J. Hamilton, Esq., Partner and Certified Impairment Rater Susan V. Hamilton, Assistant Secretary and Deputy Commissioner Mary Ann Henriques, SPHR, MBA, Health Safety Environmental Corporate Manager Timothy F. Hoops, CPCU, ARM, President, Workers' Compensation Services Lori C. Kammerer, Principal Christine King, Workers' Compensation Compliance Manager Barry Lesch, Esq., Attorney Amy E. Lopes, Manager, Workers' Compensation & General Liability Mathias Masem, MD, Hand Surgeon Sean McEneaney, Esq., Partner - Insurance Regulatory Group Todd McFarren, Esq. Sean McNally, Esq. Mim McNulty, Vice President Human Resources Philip Millhollon Nancy Moorhouse, Vice President, Director of Safety Al Moresi, Commissioner Jim F. Neary, Executive Vice President and Chief Actuary Destie Overpeck, Chief Counsel and Acting Chief Deputy Administrative Director Maureen C. O'Hara, Esq., Attorney John J. Parente, Esq., Partner Barry S. Pearlman, Esq., Founder Jeffrey W. Pettegrew, Executive Director Neil R. Piethe, Workers’ Comp Claims Management Rick Plein, Deputy Commissioner, Enforcement Branch Melinda S. Riechert, Esq., Partner Nicholas Roxborough, Esq., Managing Partner Libby Sanchez, Legislative Advocate Vincent J. Scotto, III, Esq., Attorney Scott Stoner, Director of Risk Management Tracy Sturtevant, Esq., Partner Lachlan Taylor, Staff Judge John D. Warbritton, III, M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon Mark E. Webb, Vice President Governmental Relations Christine Baker Christine Baker is the Executive Officer of the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation (CHSWC) in San Francisco since its inception in 1994. She has served in several management capacities in the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) since 1984, including Chief of the Division of Labor Statistics and Research and Deputy Director for the Division of Workers' Compensation. Previously, Ms. Baker worked at various research organizations and taught college courses on US military bases in Japan and Korea and at the Confucian and Catholic Universities in Seoul, Korea. Under her leadership, CHSWC has grown into its role of overseeing the health, safety and workers' compensation systems in California and recommending administrative and legislative changes for improvement. CHSWC from the start has based its recommendations on findings from studies conducted by independent researchers, with the involvement of the entire community. Ms. Baker currently is a member of the executive committee of the International Association of Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC), a member of the advisory board for John Burton's Workers' Compensation Policy and Review. She is also a member of the steering committee for the Workers' Compensation Research Group. She is also a member of the National Academy of Social Insurance. Ms. Baker earned a Masters Degree and achieved Ph.D. candidacy at the School of Education, University of California, Berkeley. Cynthia Barber Cynthia Barber is currently the West Coast Safety and Environmental Manager for Heinz North America (2 factories). In addition to implementing the Heinz safety process, Cynthia is responsible for implementing the environmental processes for the Stockton and Escalon factories. Cynthia joined Heinz in 2005 as the Manager for EHS in Stockton, CA. Cynthia is completing her Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety from Columbia Southern University, and then pursuing her Masters in Environmental Management. Overall, she has been in the Safety and Environmental field for over 20 years primarily in the Forest Products industry. Her work experience also includes warehouse management, customer service, and human resource management. Cynthia is known for taking a process be it safety or environmental from being good to being great as she has proven this by leading the Stockton factory to a zero TRIR (Total Recordable Injury Rate) in two years along with leading the Stockton factory to a zero NOV (Notice of Violation) on the environmental side. She has accomplished these results through her great vision, strategic planning, ambitious goals and laser focused action plans. Cynthia has won Heinz annual environmental factory and environmental manager of the year awards in years 2007 & 2008 among 27 factories. She also teaches her environmental best practices to her peer factories. Donald R. Barthel, Esq. Donald Barthel graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with honors in 1986, and received his Juris Doctorate from U.C.L.A. in 1990. A Founding Partner of a statewide workers’ compensation defense firm with twelve offices, Bradford & Barthel, LLP, Mr. Barthel's entire legal career has been dedicated to the defense of employers' rights, particularly those involving workers' compensation matters. Having practiced in southern and northern California, he has appeared at virtually every WCAB district office in the state. Mr. Barthel’s clients number in the hundreds and include insurance carriers, TPAs, governmental entities, and private businesses, running the gamut from small start-ups to Fortune 100 companies. Mr. Barthel, an acknowledged expert regarding the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, founded the B&B Rating Services in 2005. At last count, the rating service had successfully identified tens of millions of dollars in permanent disability savings for clients. Mr. Barthel is a Reviewer for the AMA Guides (6th), and the only non-physician on the Board of Advisors for the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners (ABIME), an organization established to enhance the quality of independent medical examinations in California, the US, and throughout the world. An accomplished public speaker, Mr. Barthel regularly addresses groups of workers’ compensation professionals—including adjusters, human resource directors, brokers, employer representatives, attorneys and physicians—throughout both California and the United States. Douglas Benner, MD, FACOEM Doug Benner, MD, is the Coordinator of Occupational Health for Northern California Kaiser Permanente and has led its occupational health services since 1982. Doug envisioned, designed, and implemented Kaiser Permanente’s development of an integrated, multi-disciplinary Occupational Health program with 32 centers built in Northern California since 1993. Doug also serves as Medical Director of KP NCAL’s Employee Health Services; Medical Director of KP NCAL HCO (Health Care Organization), and Medical Director of KP NCAL MPN networks for employers and carriers. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Preventive Medicine, in Occupational Medicine. He has been a certified Independent Medical Examiner as well as a certified Medical Review Officer. Doug served as Chair of the California Medical Association Committees and Task Forces on Workers’ Compensation during the reform years of 1986 to 1995, and is still a consultant for them. He is a Past Chairman of the Board and a Past President of the Western Occupational and Environmental Medical Association. He has been a Consultant to the Medical Committee of the International Association of Industrial Accidents Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) since 1982. Doug was a member of the House of Delegates of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and as a Fellow, serves on several of its committees. He currently serves on the Board of Directors as Vice President of the Integrated Benefit Institute (IBI). Ronnie Caplane The Honorable Ronnie Caplane serves as Commissioner on the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board where she reviews appeals from the 18 local workers’ compensation trial courts throughout the state. Every month the commission reviews and issues decisions on 300 to 350 cases. Ronnie received her law degree from Hastings College of the Law and was admitted to the California Bar in 1975. As a practicing attorney in San Francisco, she handled issues such as workers’ compensation, employment discrimination and personal injury. Mary Ciddio Mary Ciddio has been working in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation since 1973 as a Counselor assisting disabled individuals in their return to work and as a Consultant, assisting employers in identifying the essential functions of their jobs and alternative positions or modifications to positions to enable one to return to work with the same employer. She has worked as an Expert Witness since 1989 in Workers’ Compensation, Personal Injury, Marriage Dissolution and Employment Discrimination and has been accepted as an expert and testified on numerous occasions in Federal Court, Superior Court and at the WCAB. She is skilled in Essential Function Job Analysis, Labor Market Survey, Assessment of Diminished Earning Capacity and Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling and Plan Development. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Certified Disability Management Specialist, Diplomate, with the American Board of Vocational Experts, Certified as a Vocational Expert with the Social Security Administration and holds a Credential with the California Community College System as a Counselor. She has served as an Independent Vocational Evaluator for the State of California as well as an Early Intervention Counselor for the California Department of Corrections. Ms. Ciddio’s educational background includes a B.A. from Temple University in Sociology, M.A. from Boston College in Sociology and a second M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling from Assumption College. She has taught for the Industrial Claims Association, Insurance Education Association, and currently teaches and counsels students with disabilities at Merritt College, and has made presentations to numerous entities in the Bay Area including the San Francisco Bar Association, County of Alameda, Muir Orthopedics and Cooperative Organization for the Development of Employee Selection Procedures. She also consulted on the Continuing Education of the Bar’s California Workers’ Compensation Practice, 4th Edition. Brian S. Crone, Esq. Brian Crone is a partner with the law firm Berry & Block, LLP where he represents clients on all aspects of commercial litigation with a special emphasis in the area of labor and employment law. He represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment law including advising employers about the discipline of employees, payroll (wage and hour) issues, claims of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation made by employees, and leaves of absence. Brian is extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of federal and state labor and employment laws. Brian represents clients before both state and federal courts as well as in binding arbitrations. He also represents clients before numerous administrative agencies including the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, Department of Labor Standards Enforcement, Workers Compensation Appeals Board, the Employment Development Department, and the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. Brian routinely provides advice to employers on preventative measures to protect their trade secrets and proprietary information from being inadvertently and/or intentionally misappropriated and represents the employer in state or federal court to protect this vital information. Brian has represented multi-million dollar insurance companies, recruiting agencies, mortgage brokers and other financial services companies in lawsuits to protect the disclosure to their competitors of the companies’ primary asset – information pertaining to the customers that utilize their services. Brian also has expertise representing construction companies, owners, and property developers in construction law matters. Based on his knowledge of construction law, has developed a rather unique practice of advising construction companies on labor and employment matters of particular interest to those clients. For instance, Brian regularly represents construction companies that perform public works projects before the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement and/or other labor compliance agencies with respect to prevailing wage matters. Brian also assists construction companies fulfill their obligations to maintain certified payroll reports and respond to third party requests (non-owner) to audit the payroll reports. Brian also negotiates collective bargaining agreements with labor unions and represents clients before the National Labor Relations Board. Brian earned his B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara and his J.D. from the University of California School of Law, Davis where he participated in the Trial Attorney’s Club. Brian is a recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award in Evidence Memberships Sacramento County Bar Association (Labor and Employment Section) Mark DeSaulnier Senator Mark DeSaulnier (DE-SOWN-YEA) was elected to the Senate in November 2008, representing the 7th Senate District, which includes most of Contra Costa County. Prior to his election to the Senate, DeSaulnier served in the Assembly. He received the distinction of first freshman member to chair the Assembly Transportation Committee. He also chaired the Select Committees on Growth Management and Air Quality. DeSaulnier lent his expertise in local government and state regulation to the Assembly Committees on Appropriations, Human Services, and Labor and Employment. DeSaulnier authored forty bills and coauthored numerous others for the 2007-2008 Legislative Session. His bills address the need to fight truancy among school children, to push back sea-level rise on our coastline, to remove unsafe guns from the hands of children and thieves, to improve indoor air quality in our schools, to better manage state-wide growth and to create opportunities for at-risk youth. During his four terms on the Board of Supervisors, DeSaulnier addressed the local and regional issues of Contra Costa County on the California Air Resources Board, the Association of Bay Area Governments, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Prior to becoming a supervisor, he served as the mayor of Concord and was a city councilmember from 1991 to 1993. He also served on the Concord Planning Commission and was a member of the University of California Toxic Substances Research and Teaching Program Advisory Committee. Transportation: Contra Costa County and the burgeoning Northern California region have benefited from a strong partnership between Senator DeSaulnier, Congressman George Miller, Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher and Assemblymember Tom Torlakson. Through their partnership, they have consistently fought for transportation and mobility improvements. DeSaulnier's Capitol Hill advocacy secured increased transportation funding for the expansion of Highway 4, eBART to eastern Contra Costa County, development of a fourth bore in the Caldecott Tunnel, and improvements to other Bay Area roadways. During his 10 years on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, DeSaulnier and his fellow commission members oversaw the most recent edition of the long-range plan, Transportation 2030, which charts a new course for the agency, particularly with regard to promoting “smart growth” development patterns. DeSaulnier also guided the development and implementation of the FasTrak electronic toll collection system and the 511.org traffic information system to ease traffic congestion and speed travel throughout the Bay Area and surrounding communities. In response to the 2007 fiery tanker truck crash that closed the MacArthur Maze, he co-authored legislation (Assembly Bill 1612) that cracked down on hazardous materials truck operators who had operated without regular safety inspections. DeSaulnier has been a strong champion for the expansion of the light rail eBART extension into Eastern Contra Costa County (expected operation by 2013-14). As former chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, DeSaulnier voted to fully fund public transportation projects throughout both Contra Costa and California. Air Quality: DeSaulnier has cultivated extensive experience in air quality management. The historic Contra Costa County Industrial Safety Ordinance and the Refinery Flare Rule for local refineries and chemical facilities sponsored by Supervisor DeSaulnier stand as landmark collaborative legislation that protect workers and surrounding Bay Area communities. Health Care: Throughout his career in public service, DeSaulnier worked to greatly advanced healthcare access and quality of treatment for his constituents. He authored local measures to fight childhood obesity and to expand second-hand smoke regulations. Recognizing the great need for women's health services, DeSaulnier introduced a comprehensive Women's Health Program that would serve the health care needs of all women in Contra Costa County. The plan included construction of four new Women's Health Centers featuring a "one-stop shopping" approach to women's health needs. The Women's Health Centers are located in Bay Point, Pittsburg, Brentwood, Concord and Richmond. As a county supervisor, DeSaulnier annually spent surplus office funding for suicide prevention, alcohol and drug abuse counseling, preventative dental care for disadvantaged youth, and school breakfast programs. Smart Growth: DeSaulnier continues to play a significant role in Regionalism and Smart Growth. He has long been a champion of the need for government agencies to collaboratively solve regional problems. He established the Interregional Partnership that has spearheaded legislation to change growth patterns. He instigated the Regional Agencies Smart Growth Strategy and the Contra Costa: Shaping Our Future, process. He is also the co-author of the Contra Costa County Smart Growth Action Plan. The Senator will continue to advocate Transit Oriented Developments, (such as the Contra Costa Centre), and mixed-use infill projects that combine housing, offices, and retail, in order to reduce unnecessary vehicle trips. Children & Family Issues: The welfare and needs of children have been DeSaulnier’s major concern throughout his service. He has sponsored numerous initiatives on their behalf including the Contra Costa Children’s Report Card and the Children’s Accountability Act, both tools for evaluating children’s issues and the impact of county programs on children. He also established the annual Children and Families' Budget, a separate County budget that reviews and measures the effectiveness of County programs in these areas. His other projects for children include AfterSchool4All, the Future Fund and the Children and Families Committee of the Board of Supervisors. Background: Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, DeSaulnier earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the College of the Holy Cross. DeSaulnier has been a member of the Teamsters union as well as the hotel workers union. Unique to many Democratic legislators, DeSaulnier has been a small business owner most of his career. Over the last 35 years, DeSaulnier owned several successful restaurants in the greater Bay Area. Dennis Downing Dennis Downing is CEO and Founder of Future Industrial Technologies (F.I.T.), an international organization with the goal of reducing workers’ compensation costs through effective injury prevention protocols. For over 11 years he has worked with companies large and small across America. Through the practical applications of BACKSAFE(r) and SITTINGSAFE(r) employees around the world have benefited from reduced injuries and improved quality of life, while companies have enjoyed lower work comp costs and increased employee morale. Jill A. Dulich Jill Dulich received her B.S. and M.A. from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA. She also received her J.D. from Western State University College of Law. Since 1983 Jill has been the Senior Director for Marriott Claims Services, as part of Marriott International. She is responsible for management of workers' compensation, auto and general liability losses for all Marriott managed operations within 8 western states and also manages 3 satellite offices in Hawaii, Oregon and Nevada. Prior to Marriott International, Jill was a Continuing Unit Supervisor for Allstate Insurance Co., a Unit Supervisor in workers' compensation at Alpha Beta Co. and Vice President of Claims at R. L. Kautz & Company. She was a former Commissioner and 2003 Chair of the California Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation having been appointed in 1998 by Governor Pete Wilson to be the private employer representative. Jill is active in workers’ compensation in a number of states and was the former Chair of the Board and Executive Committee Chair of the California Self Insurers Association. She currently serves as the Treasurer and participates on the Nominating Committee, Board of Managers and Executive Committee. She is also the Chief Financial Officer and Trustee for the Self Insurers Security Fund and acts as Program Chair and Board Member for the Self Insurance Guaranty Funds of America. Jill is also a member of the Legislative Committee of the Oregon Self Insurers Association and the Washington Self Insurers Association. Jill serves as Chair of the Board, Board of Directors, Easter Seals Southern California. Throughout her career Jill has participated in a number of various organizations committees including the Office of Self Insurance Plans Advisory Committee; Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi's Workers' Compensation Task Force; Joint Technical Advisory Committee for 1993 Workers' Compensation Reform; Division of Workers' Compensation Information System Steering Committee. Jill is a frequent speaker and has presented at various organizations including the Orange County Business Council (formerly Industrial League of Orange County), Council on Education in Management, California Hotel & Motel Association, Rotary Club, Skypark Medical Groups, RIMS, PIRA (Association of Human Resource Professionals), California Chamber of Commerce, UCLA Institute for Industrial Relations, California Manufacturers and Technology Association, Council of Self Insured Public Agencies, National Council of Self Insurers, International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC), California Self Insurers Association and the National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference. John C. Duncan John C. Duncan, for the second time in his career, has been appointed Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). Duncan has had a distinguished career in both state and federal service including an appointment as special assistant to former U.S. Secretary of Defense, Caspar Weinberger. He assisted the Secretary in writing "Fighting for Peace," an autobiographical account of the Secretary’s years at the Pentagon. In 1987, he received the Secretary of Defense Award for Outstanding Public Service. His current state government appointment—by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on August 9, 2007—follows previous service to DIR that included chief deputy director and then DIR director from 1995 to 1999. From 1991, he was DIR deputy director of communications. As DIR Director, Duncan oversees a department with 2,700 employees and a $382 million budget. DIR is composed of eight divisions/programs including the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (Labor Commissioner’s Office) which enforces labor law in California, investigates wage claim disputes and discrimination complaints; the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) which monitors safety and health in the workplace through standards enforcement, consultation assistance to employers and training programs; the Division of Apprenticeship Standards which administers California law governing standards for wages, hours, working conditions and the specific skills required for state certification at the journey level of apprenticeable occupations; the Division of Labor Statistics and Research which publishes information on economic, employment, workplace safety and health statistics; and the Division of Workers’ Compensation which monitors administration of workers’ compensation claims and assists in resolving disputes over claims for workers’ compensation benefits. He also serves as the administrator of apprenticeship and as an ex-officio member of the State Compensation Insurance Fund Board of Directors. Prior to his current appointment, he was Chair of the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) from March 2004 and was a member of Governor Schwarzenegger’s transition team where he was charged with handling issues and personnel for the Labor and Workforce Development Agency. Duncan has also had significant private sector experience in labor and regulatory matters. He was president of Duncan Consulting, Inc. where he designed communications strategy for corporate, legal and governmental clients and specialized in navigating labor-related regulatory issues. He was also president and COO of Magnitude Information Systems, a company specializing in software and internet solutions for preventing workplace injuries, for several years. As part of his federal service, Duncan was an assistant to the secretary at the U.S. Department of Defense and special assistant to the deputy assistant secretary of defense for International Security Affairs, East Asia and Pacific Affairs. He is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, with a bachelor's degree in history and of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government with a master's in public administration. Duncan is a board member of the Yosemite National Institute and the immediate past president of the Industrial Relations Association of Northern California, and a former chair of the California Employment Training Panel. Michael David Duvall Michael D. Duvall was elected to the California State Assembly in November 2006 to represent the Seventy-Second Assembly District which includes the cities of Fullerton, Anaheim, Placentia, Orange, Brea, Yorba Linda, and La Habra. Within a month of his arrival in Sacramento, Duvall was appointed to the Vice-Chairmanship of the powerful Assembly Transportation Committee tasked with overseeing the many roadway, rail, air and port operations of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and the California Highway Patrol (CHP). In subsequent weeks, he was assigned to the Assembly Insurance Committee, the Education Finance Subcommittee (Budget Sub 2), and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee overseeing the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office. Since his first election to the Yorba Linda City Council in 2000, Duvall has developed a reputation as a strong leader advocating for fiscal responsibility and economic development. While on the council, his colleagues elected him Mayor twice, appointed him Council Liaison to the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce and appointed him to the City Audit Committee. Recognizing his hard work on their behalf, twice as many of the city’s voters decided in 2004 to elect him to another term on the council. In addition to his service on the Yorba Linda City Council, Assemblyman Duvall has also served the county on numerous boards and committees. In December 2000, Duvall was appointed to the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) where he served four years on the Finance, Administration, and Human Resources Committee. From 2005 to 2006, he was Vice Chairman of the committee. Also, in November 2005, he was appointed to the District’s Capital Improvement Projects Oversight Committee. In January 2005, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), serving as the Vice Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee, Vice Chair of the Operations Committee, and an active participant on the State Route 91 Advisory Committee. On the board, Duvall contributed to the discussion and solution of transportation challenges facing Orange County and the surrounding region, especially on transportation policy discussions regarding the Riverside Freeway (SR-91) corridor, and the delivery of projects promised to Orange County voters, such as the completion of the Garden Grove Freeway (SR-22) Improvement Project. As a staunch supporter of Measure M and road projects in Orange County cities, he worked tirelessly to improve mobility and plan for the future transportation needs of Orange County. His efforts have resulted in significant savings for local taxpayers. Beside his work on the city council, OCSD, and OCTA, Duvall served on the Foothill/Eastern Corridor Joint Powers Authority, the Ground Water Replenishment System, and the Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency. Assemblyman Duvall continues to own and operate a local insurance agency and understands what it takes to operate a small business in California’s strict regulatory environment. As the two-time President of the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Yorba Linda General Plan Steering Committee, he was a passionate defender of local businesses. Chapman University awarded Duvall the Ethics in America Award for his “demonstration of the highest standards of ethical integrity” while a member of the Chamber team. Katie Fox, MSCC Katie Fox is currently the Compliance and Resolution Manager for MedInsights, Inc. Her focus is on reforming both the administrative and policy process of Medicare's data project and recovery process. She also serves as the Co-Chair for the Medicare Advocacy Recovery Coalition (MARC). MARC seeks the removal of barriers contained within the Medicare Secondary Payer Statutes, Regulations & Rules that inhibit the prompt and fair administration of liability claims. Katie has had thirteen years of prior adjusting, paralegal and medical litigation experience. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management as well as Organizational Development, as well as the following designations: Paralegal, Emergency Medical Technician, and MSCC. She is also a member of the GAB Robins President's Club and NAMSAP (National Alliance of Medicare Set-Aside Professionals). Katie has successfully negotiated hundreds of complex resolutions involving the settlement of future medical benefits. She was recently cited by The Wall Street Journal, Forbes.com, and Bloomberg.com, and is the author of “Navigating the MSP Act,” published in 2008. Roy A. Franco Roy A. Franco is the Director of Risk Management Strategies for Safeway Inc. and responsible for legislative issues that impact the risk management group as well as contract administration. Before then, Roy managed the Northern and Southern California liability claims operations and was promoted to Director in 1999 over all liability claim operations for Safeway. He was recently promoted to his present position, but before then Roy gained experience in loss control, labor relations and insurance placement with Safeway as part of his Director role. In recent years he has identified Medicare and the challenges it presents to liability settlements. He has worked to educate and promote the issue amongst industry members speaking to the California Retailers Association, Golden Gate RIMS Chapter, American Insurance Association, Food Marketing Institute, National Retail Federation, RIMS, and Retail Industry Leaders Association. His advocacy has culminated into the formation of the Medicare Advocacy Recovery Coalition (MARC) whose purpose is to promote legislation that will improve the efficiency of the Medicare reimbursement process without sacrifice to the efficient administration of liability claims. Roy A. Franco graduated from the University of Santa Clara School of Law and practiced insurance defense for ten years before he was hired at Safeway. He is licensed in both California and Hawai’i. Roy A. Franco is a Golden Gate RIMS Chapter Board Member and Delegate. He is also a member of the California Legislative Delegation for RIMS. Raymond E. Frost, Esq. Raymond Frost practices law in Northern California as the principal of Raymond E. Frost & Associates. His firm specializes in workers' compensation and personal injury cases. Mr. Frost is licensed to practice law before every court in the State of California and also before the United States Supreme Court. He is certified by the State Bar of California as a specialist in workers' compensation. He is a member of numerous legal associations, including the California Applicants' Attorneys Association, where he has served as a member of the Board of Directors. In addition to his practice, he has taught in the Paralegal Certificate Program at California State University, Hayward and also for the Insurance Educational Association. He has lectured throughout California on medical/legal matters to various professional groups including the California Society for Industrial Medicine, the Insurance Claims Association, the California Chiropractic Association and the California Workers' Compensation Defense Attorneys' Association. He is one of the original co-authors of the two volume Workers' Compensation series of the Bancroft-Whitney Guide to California Civil Practice and also authored the “Settlements” chapter in the CEB Workers’ Compensation book. Mr. Frost serves regularly as a Judge Pro Tem and also as an Arbitrator for the Alameda County Superior Court. In addition, he periodically arbitrates and mediates Workers’ Compensation cases involving contribution and coverage issues. He also testifies regularly as an expert witness in complex civil litigation involving workers’ compensation issues. Mr. Frost recently completed a term as Chair of the Executive Committee of the Workers’ Compensation Section of the State Bar. Susan Gard Susan Gard was appointed as the chief of legislation and policy for the California Division of Workers’ Compensation in June 2007. Ms. Gard brings extensive experience developing strategic internal and external communication programs, as well as departmental policies, to her role. Ms. Gard served as the division’s spokesperson for several years prior to this appointment, during which time she managed its communications and served as liaison to members of the Legislature. Prior to her tenure with the DWC, Ms. Gard served for five years in the Department of Industrial Relations, Office of the Director, where she worked closely with cabinet-level members of government, managed major events and spearheaded the department’s effort to implement educational programs for non English-speaking workers and employers. As chief of legislation and policy, Ms. Gard serves as a special advisor on policy issues affecting DWC, acts as the DWC administrative director's representative, coordinates policy and implementation of special projects with other DIR divisions and entities inside and outside government, oversees the development of new training programs, is responsible for the evaluation of alternatives and recommendation of DWC positions related to policy direction, program planning and ongoing research, and interacts with the legislative coordinator of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, as well as senior management in other departments, divisions and commissions. Nanette S. Goldberg-Hauser, Ed.M., CRC, CCM, CPDM Nanette Goldberg Hauser has over 27 years of experience in Disability Vocational Counseling including 22 years as a Vocational Counselor in California Workers' Compensation. She has been with SCE for the last 13 years as a Vocational Rehabilitation Representative doing California Workers' Compensation exclusively for the utility. She returns injured workers to modified and alternate positions within SCE under the challenges of workers' compensation, ADA and FEHA guidelines. Prior to SCE, Nanette worked for Continental Rehabilitation Resources for eight years as a Workers' Compensation Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor returning injured workers to alternate positions in the open labor market, and Northridge Hospital Medical Center for two years returning catastrophically injured workers to work following spinal cord injuries and/or traumatic brain injuries. Kelly J. Hamilton, Esq. Kelly J. Hamilton is a graduate of San Jose State University and Western State University College of Law. After spending five years as a claims adjuster for a major insurer, she worked as a law clerk for a workers’ compensation defense firm while attending law school. She also taught Permanent Disability Rating (CA 13) for the Insurance Educational Association. Kelly has been an attorney with Gray & Prouty since 1998 and a Partner since 2000. In 2007, she became a Certified Impairment Rater, qualifying her to review and assess medical reports utilizing the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment. Kelly regularly lectures at seminars for adjusters, attorneys, and employers on all issues related to workers’ compensation, including the legal ramifications of Senate Bill 899, case law and the AMA Guides. Susan V. Hamilton Susan V. Hamilton is the Assistant Secretary and Deputy Commissioner of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, having served as the Presiding Judge of the San Francisco District Office of the California Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. In the past, she has served as a Workers' Compensation Judge and as the staff judge to the Administrative Director, Division of Workers' Compensation. Before her appointment as a Workers' Compensation Judge, Judge Hamilton was the supervising counsel of the Department of Industrial Relations' Legal Office, a staff attorney to the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, and a trial attorney for the Labor Commissioner. Mary Ann Henriques, SPHR, MBA Mary Ann Henriques is currently the Health Safety Environmental Corporate Manager for Diamond Foods, Inc. Headquartered in Stockton, California, Diamond Foods; Inc. is the premier processor and marketer of culinary, inshell snack and ingredients nuts, with distribution in over 80% of U.S. Supermarkets. As the industry leader, Diamond enjoys a market share in North American markets four times larger than its number-two competitor. Diamond is also the nation’s top exporter of walnuts to Europe and the Pacific Rim. Diamond employees over 2000 employees with facilities in Indiana, Alabama, Illinois and four locations in California. Diamond Foods, Stockton, has worked over 2 million hours with out a Lost time injury. Mary Ann is an Adjunct Professor at Modesto Junior College where she teaches General Industry Classes, in addition to Construction Safety. She is an authorized OSHA Outreach Instructor, in addition to an OES Outreach Instructor for Hazardous Waste General Site Worker, Industrial Technician Level , First Responder Awareness and First Responder Operational. Mary Ann received her Bachelor’s degree from U.C. Davis and her MBA from the University of Santa Clara. She is a member of the Society of Human Resources, American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and National Safety Council. Mary Ann has served on the SJHRA board of directors and is currently the membership co-chair of the ASSE HR Branch. Lori C. Kammerer Lori C. Kammerer is recognized nationally as a leading authority on policy issues affecting California's Workers' Compensation System. Lori has represented the business community as Executive Director of the California Coalition on Workers' Compensation from 1987-2002. More recently, she founded Kammerer & Company and serves as the Legislative and Workers' Compensation Policy Director for employers and trade associations across the state. In addition, she serves as an advisor to several boards, commissions and task forces including the California Commission on Health & Safety & Workers' Compensation, The RAND Corporation, the California State Council of Laborers, and numerous chambers of commerce. Christine King Christine King is a graduate of the University of Santa Clara. Her state career began with the State Compensation Insurance Fund with assignments in Claims, Underwriting and Payroll Auditing. She also has experience as a private sector claims adjuster. Christine has worked with the Audit Unit since its inception and was appointed as Manager in July 2008. Barry Lesch, Esq. Barry Lesch graduated from Boalt Hall School of Law in 1975, started practicing state workers' compensation law the following year and has been doing so ever since. He is a senior partner at Laughlin, Falbo, Levy and Moresi, working out of its Oakland office. Mr. Lesch is a certified specialist and a managing editor of the California Workers' Compensation Reporter, a well-regarded journal reporting on significant California decisions in workers' compensation and workers' damages for 35 years. He collaborated on the evidence chapter in the CEB book, California Workers' Compensation Practice (fourth ed.), several editions of the CEB guide to statutory deadlines in workers' compensation law and innumerable talks on current case law and significant issues in compensation law. Amy E. Lopes Amy joined the Save Mart team in 1989. The past eight years of her career have been spent within the Risk Management Department as a Field Supervisor. All of Amy’s experience paid off when in October of 2007, Amy was promoted to Manager of Workers’ Compensation and General Liability. As a manager, she oversees a workers’ compensation program for over 22,000 employees. Amy’s duties entail, integrating risk and safety information from a multitude of sources, and translating that data into action. In addition, Amy has daily interaction with Save Mart's Third-Party Administrator in order to mitigate claim costs. A vital part of Save Mart’s cost-containment program is the Save Mart MPN Network. By working with the MPN Coordinator, she provides guidance in provider selection and other aspects of the MPN network operation of behalf of Save Mart Supermarkets. Mathias Masem, MD Mathias A. Masem, M.D. is a Board Certified hand surgeon who has practiced in Oakland and San Francisco since 1987. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and UC San Francisco, where he carried out his residency. He is on staff at Summit Medical Center, Oakland Children’s Hospital, and Alameda Hospital. He is also an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Dept. of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of California San Francisco. He has been Chairman of Orthopedic Surgery at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in the past, as well as Chief of the Division of Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery. He is a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery. He has done extensive research in peripheral nerve regeneration using microsurgical nerve grafting techniques. He has also had publications regarding peripheral nerve regeneration. Sean McEneaney, Esq. Sean McEneaney is a partner in the Insurance Regulatory Group of the San Francisco office of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP. Mr. McEneaney is involved in a broad range of insurance regulatory and insurance-related litigation matters, with a specific emphasis on workers’ compensation and employers’ liability issues. Mr. McEneaney regularly counsels employer and workers’ compensation insurance clients on a variety of coverage, regulatory, reinsurance, insurance insolvency, collateral, market conduct, experience rating, and statutory deposit (Schedule P) issues. Sean was a member of California Insurance Commissioner’s 2003 advisory task force to reform California’s workers’ compensation system. He has litigated numerous commercial, insurance coverage, bad faith, unfair business practices, and insolvency matters before state and federal trial courts as well as administrative tribunals. Recent speaking engagements include a presentation before the San Francisco Bar Association on identifying insurance products and the relationship between insurance laws and credit default swaps. Mr. McEneaney’s publications include, co-authoring An Analysis of Security Officers Service, Inc. and Extension of Tort Remedies into the Workers Compensation System, published in the Insurance Litigation Reporter, eBusiness and Insurance: A Guide to Transacting Insurance and Other Business on the Internet, CCH Publishing (May 2001), and Application of the Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies and the Primary Jurisdiction Doctrines to Claims under Business and Professions Code section 17200, published by the Practicing Law Institute. Todd McFarren, Esq. Todd McFarren is a certified specialist in workers’ compensation, immediate past president of WILG, and partner in the law firm of Rucka, O’Boyle, Lombardo & McKenna. He studied Philosophy, B.A., M.A and Political Science, M.A. at Kent State University. He received his J.D. from the University of San Francisco. He is editor of "Workplace Injury Litigation" (Lawyers & Judges Publishing Co.) and coeditor of "New Solutions: Assessing Workers Compensation." Mr. McFarren is a member of the Monterey County Bar Association; California Applicants' Attorneys Association (Chair, Health and Safety Committee); Workplace Injury Litigation Group; American Association for Justice; and the California Teachers Association Group Legal Services. Mr. McFarren served as Mayor of Watsonville for two terms. He has taught Philosophy at Cabrillo College since 1985. Sean McNally, Esq. Sean McNally is the vice president of human resources and legal counsel for Grimmway Farms in Bakersfield, California. He is certified by the State Bar of California as a specialist in workers’ compensation law. He is a licensed general contractor and serves as a trustee for the Self Insurer’s Security Fund. His community activities include serving on the Kern Adult Literacy Council Board of Directors as the president, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Golden Empire Gleaners and the Board of Trustees for Garces Memorial High School. He is a graduate of the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and was a partner at the law firm of Hanna, Brophy, MacLean, McAleer and Jensen. He graduated from the University of San Francisco with bachelor's degrees in English and Theology. Following that, he did graduate studies at Hebrew University in Jerusalem Israel. Mim McNulty Mim McNulty is the Vice President of Human Resources for Il Fornaio (America) Corporation. Il Fornaio (Italian for "the baker") operates 22 upscale Italian restaurants in five states and two wholesale production bakeries that supply baked goods to its restaurants, as well as to grocery stores, specialty retailers, hotels, and other restaurants. Mim has 25 years in Training and Development and Human Resources in the hospitality industry and joined Il Fornaio in 1995. Mim’s small department of six handles all aspects of Human Resources including payroll, benefits, safety, worker’s comp, general liability, management development, employee relations and legal. One of the most enjoyable parts of Mim’s job is conducting yearly seminars for managers including subjects such as Harassment, Performance Development, Recruitment, Safety and Workers’ Compensation. Chain Leader Magazine voted Il Fornaio “The Best Place to Work” Award in 2004. Mim received “Motivator of the Year” Award from The Elliot Group in 2006. Prior to joining Il Fornaio, Mim worked at Chevy's Mexican Restaurants, HomeBase Home Improvement Warehouses, La Salsa, Inc. and El Torito Restaurants. Mim received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Arizona State University. Philip Millhollon Phil is CSIA’s Executive Director, taking over that position in November of 2005. Prior to this current position, Phil worked for Chevron Corporation for 36 years. He worked in Chevron’s Workers’ Compensation Division since 1981 and was the Claim Manager from 1989 through 2005 with overall responsibility for Chevron’s Workers’ Compensation activity in 25 state and federal jurisdictions. Prior to joining CSIA, Phil served on the following committees: California Manufacturers and Technology Association – Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Committee 1998 to 1995; California Self-Insurers Association – Board of Directors 2001 to 2005, and Chairman of the Board 2004 to 2005; California Self-Insurers Security Fund – Trustee, 2002 to 2006; National Council of Self-Insurers – Board of Managers 2005; and Workers’ Compensation Research Institute – Research Committee Member, 2002 to 2005. Phil has a BA from San Francisco State University. He is also a certified Self-Insurance Administrator and he has his CPDM. Nancy Moorhouse Nancy Moorhouse is Vice President, Director of Safety, Workers’ Compensation, Health and Environment for Teichert. Nancy received her B.S. in Business Administration and MBA from California State University, Sacramento. She is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Mine Safety Professional (CMSP), Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST) and Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM) designations. She also has her ARM and ALCM certificates. Nancy has been with Teichert for the past 22 years and was given the opportunity to enhance Teichert’s workers’ compensation claims handling process with the goal of reducing costs. She is also involved in a variety of workers’ compensation concerns and issues for industry. She has ‘mapped’ the workers’ compensation process, cultivated a workers’ compensation team, collaborated with industrial relations and human resources in areas of overlap and continues to enhance the claims handling process within changing regulatory demands. Destie Overpeck Destie Overpeck was appointed chief counsel for the California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) in 2005, where she has worked as an attorney since April 2000. Ms. Overpeck served as lead attorney on regulations implementing utilization review penalties, Labor Code section 5814.6 penalties, medical provider networks, pre-designation of personal physician and return to work requirements. She has also led regulatory teams implementing supplemental job displacement benefits, audit rules, official medical fee schedules and overhauling the injured employee claim form and poster. Ms. Overpeck graduated from U.C.L.A. cum laude in 1980 and from Hastings College of Law in 1983. She was admitted to the California state bar in 1983. Prior to working with the DWC, Ms. Overpeck was a partner in a civil practice law firm in San Francisco Al Moresi The Honorable Alfonso Moresi is a commissioner on the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board in California. He has served as a workers’ compensation defense attorney and has represented insurance carriers, employers and government entities for 34 years. Mr. Moresi has served as a senior partner at the law firm, Laughlin Falbo Levy & Moresi, LLP since 1985. Jim F. Neary Mr. Neary is a 36 year State Fund employee, starting his career as a claims adjuster in the Santa Rosa District Office. In 1989 he became the Fund's chief actuary, responsible for the Fund's overall loss reserving and pricing, and in 1995 he was promoted to Vice President and member of the Executive Committee. He is currently Executive Vice President with responsibility for the Fund's actuarial and reinsurance programs. Mr. Neary has an MBA in finance from the University of California at Berkeley. He is also a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and a member of the CPCU Society. Maureen C. O'Hara, Esq. Maureen C. O’Hara joined the Law Offices of Pearlman, Borska & Wax in August 2008, and brought with her a large field of expertise in employment law and labor relations. Ms. O’Hara specializes in defense of employers in litigation, including wage and hour issues, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination. She represents employers not only in civil litigation, including trial at both the State and Federal level, but also at hearings before the Employment Development Department and the California Labor Commission. In addition, Ms. O’Hara engages in education and consultation with employers, Human Resource professionals, and supervisors in order to prevent and/or mitigate litigation through proper training and recognition of potential issues, such as engagement in the interactive process, return-to-work issues, and employee discipline. Ms. O’Hara is a member of the Employment Law Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and has presented educational seminars for clients, as well as at the Southern California Employment Law Forum. Ms. O’Hara and the firm will chair the Northern California Employment Law Forum in the fall. Barry S. Pearlman, Esq. Barry Pearlman, who founded Pearlman, Borska & Wax with a loan from his parents, started the firm as a sole practitioner in May 1984. In addition to maintaining a full case load, he is the managing partner of the firm. Barry specializes in the litigation of workers’ compensation matters involving complex legal and factual issues, representing employers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators, in coverage disputes, defense of workers’ compensation claims and other employment law issues. He is an experienced litigator with numerous successes before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, Superior Court and the California Court of Appeals. As a respected member of the Workers’ Compensation community, Barry is a frequent lecturer and instructor on current trends in procedure, law and strategy. His comprehensive approach has made him a popular presenter to insurance carriers and employer groups across the country. Out of his commitment to the legal profession and the Workers’ Compensation community, Barry acts as an Arbitrator for the State Bar of California, has previously served on the Governor’s Workers’ Compensation Community Task Force and the Administrative Director’s Advisory Committees on Permanent Disability and Medical Provider Networks. Barry has twice served as President of the California Workers’ Compensation Defense Attorneys’ Association and served six years as President of the Southern California Workers’ Compensation Defense Attorneys’ Association. He is a member of the State Bar of California admitted to practice before all Courts in the State of California and the United States District Court. Most know Barry as an avid traveler and is involved in community affairs. He has been happily married since 1983 and has two lovely children of whom he is so very proud. Jeffrey W. Pettegrew Jeffrey W. Pettegrew of Lafayette, California, serves as Executive Director, of the California Self Insurers’ Security Fund (SISF), and was appointed to this new position in January, 2004. He manages an internal staff of three employees as well as a team of twelve service providers who all provide support to the Security Fund. SISF is a non-profit, mutual benefit corporation chartered by the State of California in 1984 to provide continuation of workers’ compensation benefits to all injured workers of the state's private self-insured employers in the event any self-insured companies default on their workers’ compensation obligations. The Security Fund manages over $6 billion in aggregate collateral obligations and financial guarantees in order to assure continuing payment of future workers’ compensation benefits to impacted workers. Mr. Pettegrew previously served as Vice President of Risk Management & Insurance for Westaff, an international staffing company headquartered in Walnut Creek, CA, for 13 years. Prior to that, he was Chief Administrative Officer/Risk Manager of the Contra Costa Municipal Risk Management Insurance Authority, a pioneering self-insured joint powers authority of 18 cities, for 10 years. He also served as the City of Sunnyvale’s first Risk Manager. Mr. Pettegrew was named "Risk Manager of the Year" in 1989 by Business Insurance magazine and served nine years as Chairman of the BI national Workers Compensation Conference. He also served as President of the Public Agency Risk Managers Association (PARMA); the California Joint Powers Association (CAJPA); and the Golden Gate Chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS). A former Captain in the U.S. Air Force, he earned a Masters in Public Administration from California State University, Hayward; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Denison University, Granville, Ohio; and an Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation. Neil R. Piethe Neil Piethe is the Claim Manager for Foster Farms which is self insured and self administered for workers' compensation, liability and property claims. He is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz and has over 25 years claims experience in the insurance industry. Previously with Industrial Indemnity and Fremont Compensation with experience as a claim supervisor, claim manager and home office legal director, his expertise includes workers' compensation, civil litigation, coverage and subrogation. Rick Plein Rick Plein is the Deputy Commissioner of the Enforcement Branch for the California Department of Insurance (CDI), which consists of two investigative units—the Fraud Division and the Investigation Division. Mr. Plein has more than 19 years of law enforcement experience beginning as a CDI fraud investigator, and then as a supervisor, chief investigator, and bureau chief. He has extensive managerial and program experience in planning and directing statewide law enforcement operations. The Fraud Division oversees five major anti-fraud programs: Automobile, Organized Automobile Insurance Fraud Activity Interdiction, Workers’ Compensation, Property/Casualty/Life, and Disability/Health Care. The Investigation Division enforces the criminal and administrative laws related to insurance agents, brokers and insurance companies, specifically Premium Theft, Senior Citizen Abuse, Title Insurance and Bail Bond issues. As Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Plein provides program planning and oversight, budget control, training, outreach, state and regional case development, and strategic planning to the Enforcement Branch. Mr. Plein has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Fullerton. Melinda S. Riechert, Esq. Melinda Riechert is a partner in Morgan Lewis's Labor and Employment Practice. Ms. Riechert specializes in litigation and arbitration of employment disputes for a number of major high-technology and other companies, including defending companies in wrongful termination, discrimination, and sexual harassment disputes. She also counsels employers on how to avoid litigation. In addition to obtaining several summary judgments, she has tried to judgment or arbitrated 14 cases since November 1996 and prevailed on all employment issues in each case. In 2007 and 2008, Ms. Riechert was named one of the leading U.S. lawyers for employment law by Chambers USA, based on the views of clients, peers, and other industry professionals. Chambers acknowledged Ms. Riechert's "straightforward courtroom style which endears her to juries." Ms. Riechert also was named one of the "Top 10 Rainmakers" in the March 5 issue of the San Francisco Business Times. Ms. Riechert is admitted to practice in California and before the U.S. Circuit Courts for the Sixth and Ninth Circuits, and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central, and Eastern Districts of California. Education: Stanford University Law School, 1975, J.D., Order of the Coif University College, London University, 1973, LL.B., First In Class Nicholas P. Roxborough, Esq. Nicholas P. Roxborough is the co-managing partner at the Los Angeles County based firm of Roxborough, Pomerance Nye & Adreani LLP (RPNA), the first law firm in the country to specialize in representing employers nationwide in workers’ compensation premium disputes. He is a leading expert and has represented businesses including TPA’s, in all aspects of insurance and employers’ rights issues through litigation, legislation and public policy. A well-known and nationally respected trial attorney, he is quoted in numerous employer and insurance trade journals, legal and business publications, and newspapers, and is regularly invited to present at insurance, legal and risk management conferences. Vincent J. Scotto, III, Esq. Having practiced personal injury and workers' compensation law since 1979, Vincent Scotto has learned how to recognize and best serve the needs of clients in crisis due to disability or death. He also learned that small practices provide the greatest attention and results. Since founding the Law Offices of Vincent J. Scotto, III, they have provided the level of personal, hands-on attention our clients expect and deserve. In appreciation, our clients have continually referred friends and family to us; we are honored by their trust. Vincent is respected throughout the legal community and commonly receives referrals from doctors and other attorneys. Mr. Scotto practices in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice and workers’ compensation law; with 100% of his practice devoted to litigation. Mr. Scotto is a Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation through the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and has presented numerous seminars in the area of workers’ compensation and subrogation. He is a member of the Consumer Attorneys of California, San Mateo Trial Lawyers Association where he is the Former President, Emeritus Board Member, the California Applicants Attorneys Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, and the San Francisco Italian American Bar Association. Scott Stoner Scott Stoner, of Kendall Jackson Wine Estates in Santa Rosa, California, has been Facilities and Risk Management Director for 5 years. He has a Degree in Biochemistry from the University of California, Davis. Scott has an extensive background in the wine-making industry, with over 25 years in the field. Proven effectiveness in general and plant managing has resulted in improved performance standards and operational efficiencies, with reductions in cost. Tracy Sturtevant, Esq. Tracy Sturtevant, a UCL:A law graduate and partner with Gray & Prouty represented injured workers for two years before moving to the defense firm of Allen, Rhodes & Sobelsohn in 1986. In 1997, she opened the Santa Barbara office of Gray & Prouty, moving to the San Francisco Bay area office in 2004. For over 20 years, Tracy has protected the interests of carriers, self-insured employers and adjusting agencies on all issues before the WCAB. An attorney whose secret wish is to be a teacher, Tracy believes that education and communication are vital to assist employers in controlling comp costs. She has spoken at and coordinated past CEM seminars, coordinates her firm's speaking engagements, and she often speaks on and writes articles about workers' compensation law issues for employers and carriers. Lachlan Taylor Lachlan Taylor is a Workers’ Compensation Judge serving on the staff of the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation (CHSWC) since January 1, 2004. Prior to working with the Commission, Judge Taylor served as a trial judge since 1995 at the Sacramento and later at the Oakland offices of the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. Previously he was a Senior Staff Counsel at the State Compensation Insurance Fund and in a private workers’ compensation practice he represented employers, insurers and public agencies. Mr. Taylor began practicing law representing injured workers in 1975. John D. Warbritton, III, M.D. Dr. Warbritton has been an orthopedic surgeon in Oakland since 1986. A graduate of Harvard Medical School, he has specialized in workers' compensation insurance cases for decades. Dr. Warbritton currently authors hundreds of medical-legal reports each year and he also maintains an active practice treating injured workers. He was Chairman of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Alta Bates Summ it Medical Center in Oakland from January 2003 to January 2009. Dr. Warbritton recently started a sister practice, Warbritton & Associates Impairment Rating Specialists, which provides medical legal reports from specialists in orthopaedics, neuropsychology, neurosurgery, pain management, physiatry, psychiatry and urology. Dr. Warbritton is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, and he became a Qualified Medical Examiner in 1992, it’s inaugural year. He has a particular interest in chronic musculoskeletal pain syndromes. Mark Webb Mark Webb joined Employers Direct in February, 2006. Mark works closely with workers’ compensation regulators, policymakers, and advocates in the business community and organized labor to maintain the efficient operation of California’s multi-billion dollar worker benefit system. He also provides current and prospective policyholders with the latest news on workers’ compensation issues. Previously, Mark was Assistant General Counsel for American International Companies (AIG) for four years, where he coordinated all lobbying activity on legislative and regulatory issues involving property and casualty, life and annuity, and consumer finance lines of business. Mark also served as Vice President, State Affairs, for the American Insurance Association (AIA), where he led the advocacy and analysis of legislative and regulatory activities affecting the property and casualty insurance industry throughout the Western United States. In addition to being a member of the Arizona State Bar, Mark has been a lobbyist for insurance organizations and also a Deputy Director of the Arizona Department of Insurance. Mark serves on numerous advisory and legal committees for the California Division of Workers’ Compensation, CWCI, CHSWC, WCRI, and the several state business associations. Mark holds a BA Degree in Political Science from the University of Arizona and a JD Degree from the University of Arizona, College of Law.
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