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

“My years with CWCI have been some of the most rewardingof my career,” says Nolan. “I am thankful for the greatopportunities I had with CWCI and look forward to its continuedsuccess under Alex Swedlow, who brings impressive credentials anddeep industry expertise.”

Said Tom Rowe, president and chief executive officer (CEO) ofthe State Compensation Insurance Fund and chairman of the CWCIboard of directors, “Under Michael's steady and insightfulleadership, CWCI has remained an indispensable resource for ourmembers and the industry by generating reliable data that helpsthem make informed business decisions, track industry trends, andanalyze key issues in the industry. Michael is leaving us in a verygood place, and we thank him for his many years of service.”

Nolan joined the Institute in 2001, but his insurance careerspans more than 40 years, including a decade serving as senior vicepresident, general counsel and secretary at ArgonautInsurance.

During his tenure as CWCI president. Nolan served on bothgovernment and private advisory committees, including workinggroups of the California Division of Workers' Compensation, theCommission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation, theDepartment of Insurance, the California Workers' CompensationInsurance Rating Bureau and RAND Corporation.

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

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

Swedlow joined CWCI in 2000 and has focused on data developmentand research on cost drivers, evidence-based medicine, opioidutilization, litigation and alternative dispute resolution, accessto care, return-to-work and key performance indicators of the2002-2004 and 2012 California workers' compensation reforms.

Previously, he was an independent consultant to the Institutesince 1988, helping enhance data collection and research on topicsincluding medical and indemnity benefit development, 24-hourcoverage and medical treatment utilization, and cost drivers. In1998, he served as the Systems Architect and Project Manager forthe Industry Claims Information System (ICIS) Project.

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