Press Release: Ohio Department of Development

Candidates for New Workers’ Comp Board of Directors Selected;
Governor Strickland to Nominate Members from List of 43 Candidates

July 10, 2007

COLUMBUS—Governor Ted Strickland will select 11 members from a list of 43 names for the new Workers’ Compensation Board of Directors. The candidates were selected today by the Workers’ Compensation Nominating Committee and were presented to the Governor today for review and possible appointment.

“A stable, trusted workers’ compensation system is imperative to the future success of Ohio’s economy,” said Lt. Governor and Nominating Committee Chair Lee Fisher. “The new board will help to reform the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation by providing improved accountability measures, greater professional expertise, and broader representation of BWC’s customers.”

The new Workers’ Compensation Board of Directors will be comprised of 11 members who represent employees (one member), employee organizations (two members), employers (three members), and the public (one member). The board will also include professionals with expertise in investments and securities (two members), certified public accounting (one member), and actuarial science (one member).

“As a part of the Turnaround Ohio plan, Governor Strickland signed HB 100 on June 11, 2007, effectively creating a new, more accountable Workers’ Compensation Board of Directors,” said Fisher. “The Nominating Committee quickly and judiciously began reviewing candidates and has produced an outstanding list of candidates for the Governor’s consideration.”

The Nominating Committee reviewed a total of 112 nomination applications. The Nominating Committee is required to submit four individual applicants for each category. The Governor can review and appoint the applicants within 14 days of submission or request a second list of nominees from the Nominating Committee. An additional seven days are provided to review the additional list of nominees once submitted. A copy of the letter submitted to the Governor, including the Nominating Committee’s recommendations, is attached.

The Nominating Committee is chaired by Lt. Governor Lee Fisher and comprised of members from the Ohio AFL-CIO, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, Ohio Council of Retails Merchants, Ohio Self-Insurers Association, National Federation of Independent Business, Ohio Municipal League, Ohio Township Association, Ohio County Commissioners Association, and two legislative appointees representing the interests of injured workers.

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Media Contacts: Nikki Jaworski (614) 466-9161 or Kelly Hassett (614) 466-4133