NU Online News Service, June 8, 11:25 a.m. EDT

ORLANDO, Fla.--The Public Risk ManagementAssociation (PRIMA) announced Michael Pennacchio, a public riskmanager in Nevada, as its 2010 Public Risk Manager of the Year.

Mr. Pennacchio accepted the award during PRIMA's AnnualConference held here.

Risk manager for the Incline Village General ImprovementDistrict in Incline Village, Nev., Mr. Pennacchio, was chosen asthis year's Public Risk Manager of the Year by a panel of his peersfor his innovative risk management programs, PRIMA said.

Mr. Pennacchio thanked and recognized the district employees."Without employee buy-in, the programs would not have beensuccessful," he said at the awards luncheon.

"Mike's commitment to his entity's fiscal well-being made him astandout in a very competitive field of candidates this year," LisaLopinsky, PRIMA's executive director, said in a statement. "He hasshown the kind of dedication to public sector safety andaccountability that personifies PRIMA's Public Risk Manager of theYear."

Mr. Pennacchio has worked in the risk management field since1985, when he joined the Incline Village General ImprovementDistrict, PRIMA said.

PRIMA established the Public Risk Manager of the Year award in1994 to honor a risk manager who has effectively coordinated andmanaged a risk management program for a public entity facingout-of-the-ordinary challenges.

PRIMA also honored Nevada PRIMA with the 2010 ChapterRecognition Award.