Experience

Journal Communications, Inc.

• United States
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Director - Risk and Benefits Management

  • Apr 2015 - Present

  Greater Milwaukee Area Journal Media Group (JMG), a newly established company created by the merger of Journal Communications and E.W. Scripps newspaper divisions, brought together 3,000 employees across 14 locations and 15 unions. In the new company, I was responsible for strategic and operational management of health and welfare benefits including planning, administration, communication, vendor management, and compliance. JMG was acquired by Gannett in April 2016. • Directed a comprehensive business… Show more Journal Media Group (JMG), a newly established company created by the merger of Journal Communications and E.W. Scripps newspaper divisions, brought together 3,000 employees across 14 locations and 15 unions. In the new company, I was responsible for strategic and operational management of health and welfare benefits including planning, administration, communication, vendor management, and compliance. JMG was acquired by Gannett in April 2016. • Directed a comprehensive business insurance program – encompassing casualty, property, executive risk, media, and cyber – to protect financial and human assets of the company through insurance contracts, contractual transfer and self-insurance • Developed a new comprehensive business insurance program • Managed broker relationship, including negotiation of insurance business contracts, resulting in best-of-class insurance program with material financial advantages • Established and administered workers’ compensation self-insured program • Managed all loss activity and claims, including property, auto, general liability, media and workers' compensation, resulting in significant financial advantages; led negotiations of complex claims settlements • Managed administrative elements of the business insurance program, including accounting, internal/external audit, IT, safety, security, and other business partners • Developed and maintained appropriate risk management policies and procedures • Provided advice and counsel to executive team and middle management regarding the business insurance program and risk and compliance issues • Responsible for creation and management of business insurance budget • Designed a new best-in-class Journal Media Group Health and Welfare Benefit program in collaboration with multiple stakeholders including representatives from executive management, finance and human resources. Key strategies were used to align the Health and Welfare plans with business strategies.

• Director Risk and Benefits Management

  • Mar 1988 - Mar 2015

  Greater Milwaukee Area Responsible for risk and benefit management for the parent organization and nine operating companies with over 8,000 employees (at its highest) throughout the United States. • Managed the risk management function for the corporation ensuring company assets and human resources were protected using risk techniques including insurance contracts, contractual transfer and self-insurance. (Please see risk management responsibilities as described above.) • Responsible for strategic and… Show more Responsible for risk and benefit management for the parent organization and nine operating companies with over 8,000 employees (at its highest) throughout the United States. • Managed the risk management function for the corporation ensuring company assets and human resources were protected using risk techniques including insurance contracts, contractual transfer and self-insurance. (Please see risk management responsibilities as described above.) • Responsible for strategic and operational management of health and welfare benefits including planning, administration, communication, vendor management, and compliance • Created and managed self-funded benefit plans including medical and dental; also created and managed fully insured voluntary benefit offerings • Transitioned company from PPO plans to innovative High Deductible (HDHP) medical plans • Assumed a leadership role within the Business Healthcare Group of South Eastern Wisconsin to significantly impact the cost, quality and delivery of healthcare services for participating employers, including Journal Communications/JMG • Since 1994, oversaw the transition of employee benefit plans and business insurance policies through multiple divestitures and acquisitions. • Led the development of the Employee Matters Agreement in the merger between Journal Communications, Inc. and E.W. Scripps in collaboration with outside legal counsel and internal partners. • Developed and maintained appropriate risk management policies and procedures. • Implemented a value based benefit plan design (VBBD) strategy to impact behavior change in medical plan participants.



Perry Printing Company Inc.

• Corporate Director of Safety and Benefits Management

  • Mar 1988 - Aug 1994

  Waterloo, WI Implemented processes establishing a safety culture in all company divisions. Identified and appraised accidents and loss producing conditions and practices evaluating severity issues. Developed accident prevention and loss control methods, procedures, and programs. Directed development and specialized education and training materials. Controlled workers compensation system protecting company and employees. Communicated accident and loss control information. Measured and evaluated the… Show more Implemented processes establishing a safety culture in all company divisions. Identified and appraised accidents and loss producing conditions and practices evaluating severity issues. Developed accident prevention and loss control methods, procedures, and programs. Directed development and specialized education and training materials. Controlled workers compensation system protecting company and employees. Communicated accident and loss control information. Measured and evaluated the effectiveness of accident and loss control processes and needed modification to establish safety cultures within the facilities. Managed a comprehensive health and welfare benefit plan driving a cost-effective expense platform Show less



Stokely USA, Inc.

• Corporate Safety and Health Manager

  • Jul 1985 - Mar 1988

  Oconomowoc, WI Adminstered safety program at 14 facilities employing 7,000 full and part-time employees providing direction in terms of safety management, training, communication, statistical reporting, investigations, inspections, regulatory audits, industrial hygiene and wellness. Coordinated all insurance activities including loss control surveys, workers compensation claim administration, and placement of insurance coverages. Reduced number of loss time accidents from 83 to 37 during first year in role.



Wausau Insurance Companies

• Loss Control Consultant

  • Aug 1981 - Jul 1985

  Madison, WI Loss Control Consultant responsible for servicing workers compensation, fleet, general liability and product liability coverages. Reviewed safety programs and facilities to assist policy holders in controlling exposures to alleviate losses.



General Telephone of Wisconsin

• Intern

  • Jul 1980 - Jan 1981

  Sun Prairie, WI Safety Internship.