On May 1 it is with mixed emotions that I retire from the Trust after 22 years of continuous employment. I feel privilege to have been DVT’s first full-time prevention (aka loss control) professional. When I started in 2003, I was a lone practitioner who supported 45 public entities. Today the Risk Control Department (RC) serves 109 members and consists of three seasoned professionals (Linda Wolf, Lauren Conway and Marc Medori). As the Trust has grown, former risk control functions have been absorbed by other departments. Member Services, IT, Legal, Finance, Claims, Health and our underwriting consultants from IBC have all contributed to RC’s success over the years and deserve both recognition as well as gratitude.
I look back fondly on top-notch leadership and wonderful colleagues. Sadly, some are no longer with us (R.I.P. Marianne Hospador (2025), Marie Wallace (2025) and David Royce (2025; IBC)). We worked hard to bring data-supported risk management solutions to members. Risk control initiatives such as less lethal force options, high visibility traffic safety apparel, employee fitness programs and continuity of operations plans were once abstract ideas but are now standard public sector practice. Internally, with the support of progressive colleagues and senior leadership (current Executive Director, Rick Mellor, being the latest force for positive change), Trust staff were able to deconstruct traditional silos and implement cross-functional workflows. Based on multi-year claims data and member satisfaction surveys, this participative, integrated approach has served the Trust well for many years.
No career reflection would be complete without acknowledging those member employees who despite our best efforts could not be safeguarded. These honored souls paid the ultimate price for simply coming to work. Rest in peace Det. Chris Jones (2009), Ofc. Brad Fox (2012) and David Smith (2017). Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.
So to wrap things on a positive note, I’d like to end with a few random shares:
- Each Trust member is a special, unique organization. Accordingly, it is difficult to compare performance between members due to the variations in operational factors. Therefore, please don’t beat yourself up if you are not part of the top quartile of performers. Compare your loss experience to prior years. Are you on a journey of continuous improvement or are you losing ground? If the later, please reach out to your risk control team – they are ready, willing and able to assist.
- Members who have competent and courageous leaders that make walking about and listening to employees a priority tend to be better Trust performers. (Of course, being properly resourced also helps!)
- DVT has a deep bench of knowledgeable professionals. Trust employees want to serve members. Those who tap into this expertise realize many benefits. Expertise, however, cannot effect positive change if not allowed a seat at the banquet table.
- Finally, some parting wishes:
- I wish success to a loyal colleague and the Trust’s newest Director of Risk Control – Linda Wolf. Linda is a seasoned, knowledgeable and honorable professional who has shared the trenches with me since 2008. I hope you will show her the kindness and cooperation gifted me over the years.
- I wish courage to department heads and managers forced to engage with sometimes poorly informed but well-meaning elected officials and constituents. Try to educate the rational ones that there are minimum funding and staffing levels below which you cannot expect quality and safe work from public employees.
- I wish there to be a resurgence of civility in American society, especially toward public employees. Let us transcend divisive politics and return to respecting each other, especially for those who work tirelessly to keep society functioning.
Happy trails!