Terry Fleming serves as director for the division of risk management for Montgomery County, Md., and, as of last month, also is the newly elected president of the Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS). Claims' Eric Gilkey sat down with Fleming to discuss his plan for the organization, the challenges that risk professionals face, fallout from the troubled economy, and how claims can better work with risk professionals.

How has your position as director of the division of risk management at Montgomery County, Maryland prepared you to take over RIMS?

I have been a RIMS volunteer for over 10 years, serving on committees and in the local chapter before being elected to the board of directors. I have over 25 years experience in risk management in the County and the private sector. My experience at in Maryland has prepared me in many ways to be among the leadership at RIMS. It is a not for profit corporation, and many of the issues are the same for public entities, such as a fiduciary responsibility to the membership (citizens), high ethical standards, the opportunity for public speaking engagements, and advocating on behalf of the goals and objectives of risk managers.