NU Names Belk As WC RM 'Champion'

ORLANDO, FLA.---National Underwriter presented its inaugural "Award For Excellence In Workers' Compensation Risk Management" this morning to Belk Inc., a Charlotte, N.C.-based department store chain in business since 1888.

The award was presented to Belk's director of risk management, Gary A. Nesbit, during the opening general session here of the Workers' Compensation Educational Conference, as part of the annual national trends program put on by NU.

After Belk was named the "2007 Champion," NU Editor In Chief Sam Friedman also awarded Honorable Mention plaques to the other two finalists--Kitty Hawk, a Dallas/Fort Worth-based cargo company (represented by its risk manager, Bob Buchanan), and Chantilly, Va.-based Rolls-Royce North America (represented by its risk manager, Robert Osha).

The award program was launched in cooperation with the Florida Workers' Compensation Institute (which runs the WCEC), and was sponsored by the Boca Raton, Fla.-based National Council On Compensation Insurance "to support excellence in the field among workers' comp buyers," the organizations noted.

The workers' comp risk management programs of all three finalists are profiled in the Aug. 13 edition of National Underwriter--also available online at www.propertyandcasualtyinsurancenews.com.

Mr. Friedman chose the three finalists from among 32 entries, with the "2007 Champion" picked by a trio of judges:

o David Adler, managing director of Portman Risk Management, a real estate development company based in Atlanta.

o Kristy Burch, workers' compensation supervisor at Darden Restaurants in Orlando.

o Marc Salm, director and counsel for risk management at Publix Super Markets Inc. in Lakeland, Fla.

Ms. Burch and Mr. Salm also helped Mr. Friedman establish the criteria for NU's inaugural award program.

Those entering their programs in the award program had to fill out an extensive questionnaire detailing how they manage their workers' comp exposures--both to lower costs as well as get people back on the job as quickly as possible.

Applicants for the award program also submitted an essay on "How My Company Stands Out Managing Workers' Comp Risks." Entries included statistical benchmarks quantifying the impact of the risk management program on the company's workers' comp experience.

Entrants were also encouraged to submit hard-copy materials to illustrate their workers' comp risk management approach, such as a safety manual or training video.

"Narrowing the field to just three finalists was an enormous challenge given the stiff competition," according to Mr. Friedman. "So, while picking a champion was no picnic for the judges, it's clear all three are winners in their own right, and all serve as role models for their peers, which was the point of the award program."

The three finalists will share the secrets of their success here at WCEC during a panel session tomorrow morning. Highlights will appear in the Oct. 15 edition of NU.

In addition, the three finalists will discuss their workers' comp risk management programs during NU's first virtual conference over the Web on Nov. 14. Details on how to sign up will be published soon.

Before presenting the award here, Mr. Friedman noted that other risk managers "undoubtedly will see elements of their own approaches to loss control, return-to-work and safety reflected in the profiles of this year's finalists. The concepts are broad, but the devil is in the details, as well as in their execution."

Mr. Friedman urged those who believe their programs are in the same class as the three cited this year, or have unique approaches to share, to enter the award program in 2008.

"The national recognition received is tremendous if you can demonstrate that you have one of the best success stories in the country," he said. "You have the opportunity to serve as a role model for your risk management colleagues nationwide."