John Michael Nolan is retiring as president of the California Worker's Compensation Institute (CWCI).

“My years with CWCI have been some of the most rewarding of my career,” says Nolan. “I am thankful for the great opportunities I had with CWCI and look forward to its continued success under Alex Swedlow, who brings impressive credentials and deep industry expertise.”

Said Tom Rowe, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the State Compensation Insurance Fund and chairman of the CWCI board of directors, “Under Michael's steady and insightful leadership, CWCI has remained an indispensable resource for our members and the industry by generating reliable data that helps them make informed business decisions, track industry trends, and analyze key issues in the industry. Michael is leaving us in a very good place, and we thank him for his many years of service.”

Nolan joined the Institute in 2001, but his insurance career spans more than 40 years, including a decade serving as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary at Argonaut Insurance.

During his tenure as CWCI president. Nolan served on both government and private advisory committees, including working groups of the California Division of Workers' Compensation, the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation, the Department of Insurance, the California Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau and RAND Corporation.

He now plans to re-enter the workers'-compensation industry or enter the field of corporate regulatory law.

Alex Swedlow, CWCI's executive vice president for Research, will replace Nolan.

Swedlow joined CWCI in 2000 and has focused on data development and research on cost drivers, evidence-based medicine, opioid utilization, litigation and alternative dispute resolution, access to care, return-to-work and key performance indicators of the 2002-2004 and 2012 California workers' compensation reforms.

Previously, he was an independent consultant to the Institute since 1988, helping enhance data collection and research on topics including medical and indemnity benefit development, 24-hour coverage and medical treatment utilization, and cost drivers. In 1998, he served as the Systems Architect and Project Manager for the Industry Claims Information System (ICIS) Project.

“I'm thrilled to take on this new responsibility and lead CWCI in its next chapter,” says Swedlow. “As CWCI looks to its next 50 years, we have an opportunity to further establish our role as a critical but objective industry resource.”

Special Reports /

Nolan to Retire as CWCI President

Related Stories

Recommended For You