CAJPA Spring Workshop 2024

MAY 20 - 21, 2024

Embassy Suites Hotel Anaheim South 11767 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92840

AGENDA AT A GLANCE

DAY 1 – MONDAY, MAY 20TH

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Sponsor/Exhibitor Set Up

9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

Registration (Foyer) & Light Breakfast

FULL CONFERENCE AGENDA

DAY 1 – MONDAY, MAY 20TH

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Registration Hours

9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

Light Breakfast

FULL CONFERENCE AGENDA

GENERAL SESSIONS

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Systems Panel

Puneet Behl, CFO, PRISM

How to Optimize Your Insurance Portfolio

Jim Marta, Managing Partner, James Marta & Company

Lesley Murphy, Director, PFM Asset Management, LLC

To develop a liquidity plan that works for your insurance program, cash flow patterns and projections are a great place to start. How you manage and invest your cash should depend on your historical claims and on projections that are informed by loss development factors. This session will explore these factors and their role in predicting future claims; how to design an insurance portfolio that has cash for claims (both expected and unexpected!) and investments to help grow your funds; and how active adjustments to your portfolio can help optimize returns in changing markets.

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

CISA Services

Jake Aguilar, Cybersecurity Advisor, CISA

A review of the CISA services available at no cost to your organization.

9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

Networking Break

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

Jill Abel, SPHR, SHRM-CP and RMP

Jill has over 30 years of Human Resources and Risk Management Executive-level experience in the public and private sector. Jill spent 15 years at Yuba County where she served as the Director of Human Resources & Risk Management and recently joined PRISM as their Human Resources Manager. Her private sector experience ranged from the banking industry to construction management which gave her broad exposure to safety and risk management issues. She has focused extensively on organizational and leadership development, labor and employee relations, legislative advocacy and risk mitigation. Jill recently served as President of the County Personnel Administrator’s Association of California and holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in Psychology. In her spare time, she loves to travel, spend time in her garden and hang out with her two grandbabies, Camille and Maverick.

Sam Adams, IT Manager, GSRMA

While Sam’s formal education is in Computer Engineering, he has worked in the pooling industry for 6 years, currently as the IT Manager for GSRMA and NCSDIA pools. Sam also serves as the vice chair on the Technology Committee for the California Association of Joint Powers Authorities (CAJPA).

Jake Aguiar, Cybersecurity Advisor

Prior to joining CISA, Jake worked in both the private and public sectors and has held several lead positions in cybersecurity. In his most recent position, Jake worked for a software development company as their Information Security Program Manager. He was responsible for all aspects of Cybersecurity for the organization. Jake was the Cybersecurity Risk Manager for the County of Orange CA. In this role he was primarily responsible for vulnerability and risk management. Additionally, Jake had held multiple Security Engineer and Senior Security Analyst roles and was part of the contracted Marine Corps Blue Team. Jake has skills and experience in vulnerability management, risk management, security policy development, pen testing, and security awareness training. He holds a M.S. in Information Assurance from Capitol Technology University and a B.S. in Information Technology from BYU-Hawaii. Jake has been a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) since 2007.

Joseph H. Baek, Techedify

Joseph is an education industry leader, serial entrepreneur, and innovator at the forefront of integrating emerging technologies into learning. With a passion for empowering youth through transformative educational experiences, Joseph has dedicated his career to challenging the status quo in education.

At 24, Joseph founded GO Learning Center, an academy dedicated to helping students develop a love for learning. This unique approach led to the academy’s success and expansion across the greater Philadelphia area. A few years later, he launched Verisea Trading, an e-commerce business bridging Eastern and Western products.

As the executive director at Gen.G, a global esports leader, Joseph built and expanded the company’s esports education initiatives to 80+ dedicated staff, creating programs in Korea, China, and the USA that revolutionized the industry’s approach to education. Launched just months after ChatGPT, Joseph’s latest venture, Techedify, began as a way to teach students about emerging technologies. Remarkably, by harnessing generative AI, Joseph was able to single-handedly accomplish the work of an entire team. This experience fueled his obsession with generative AI and its potential to empower others. Today, Joseph’s expertise lies in guiding others to leverage generative AI to save time, develop skills, and achieve previously impossible feats.

Puneet Behl, CFO, PRISM

Puneet is a senior finance executive with 24 years of multinational experience across various business sectors, with a focus in insurance and risk management. Prior to joining CSAC-EIA, she worked with Bickmore for fourteen years with heavy focus on operations and finances of California Joint Powers Agencies. Ms. Behl, a masters in accounting and finance, CPA and an ARM, is an expert in financial analysis and reporting for government entities, internal controls review, risk assessment, GAAP & GASB compliance, policy development and business process reengineering.

Faith Borges, Legislative Advocate, California Advocates Faith is a Lobbyist with the firm California Advocates, where she provides professional advocacy services before the legislature and regulatory agencies. Among her esteemed clients, Faith has proudly represented the California Association of Joint Powers Authorities for the last five years. Faith earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California Santa Barbara and went on to become a California Senate Fellow earning her graduate certificate in Applied Policy and Government from Sacramento State University. Prior to her current role, she served for years in both houses of the Legislature and is a policy and strategy expert.

Ann Gergen, Executive Director, AGRiP

Ann oversees AGRiP operations, governance, and member service delivery. She has twenty-five years of direct public sector employment and experience in local government management, emergency services, risk management, primary and reinsurance claims, pooled insurance services and operations. Ann has both direct and service administrator experience in multiple local government and public pooling environments. She was associate pool administrator (P/C and work comp), program manager (employee benefits pool), and director of technology at the League of Minnesota Cities and League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust. She also served as director of the Arizona Municipal Risk Retention Pool (AMRRP) and director of the Social Services Contractors Insurance Pool (SSCIP), also in Arizona. Ann’s background includes reinsurance and commercial industry experience. She was Vice President of Claims and Loss Control at NLC Mutual, and was the first Director of NLC-RISC in a combined staffing structure with NLC Mutual. Ann was Managing Director of the Alternative Markets Division of Berkley Risk, a W.R. Berkley company, where she served a variety of public and not-for-profit pools and self-insured groups. Ann is an attorney licensed in the State of Minnesota and holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. She teaches risk management to public safety graduate students and is herself a former EMT.

Dave Glende , Chief Information Officer, GSRMA

Dave has more than 40 years of experience leading the delivery of enterprise-class information systems including nearly 20 years specifically for risk pools and self-insurance groups. As CIO for GSRMA, he is responsible for overall information systems strategy, operations, and analytics, as well as policy administration and underwriting. Dave serves on the Technology Committee for the California Association of Joint Powers Authorities (CAJPA).

Jeffrey C. Grubbs , CPA, MST, Chief Financial Officer, ASCIP Jeff is a Certified Public Accountant with over 30 years of experience in the insurance and risk management field. He graduated from CSU Sacramento and earned a Master of Science degree from Golden Gate University. Jeff currently sits on several Boards, including the Sacramento Museum of Science and Curiosity and Financial Executives International.

Mike Harrington, President, Bickmore Actuarial

Mike has over 30 years of experience in both the insurance industry and consulting, the majority of which is with public entities. He specializes in reserve and rate analysis for self-insured public entities and risk pools for all property and casualty coverages. Mike has presented at numerous conferences including CAJPA, PARMA, AGRIP, and PRIMA, and is known for his informative and down-to-earth presentation style, with some good “actuarial humor” thrown in. He enjoys Microsoft Excel, the Dallas Cowboys, Ford Mustangs, and pretty much any buffet meal!!

Rob Kinley, Director of IT and Cybersecurity, Spear Technologies

Rob Kinley serves as the Director of IT and Cybersecurity at Spear Technologies, bringing over two decades of experience in the technology sector and a dedicated twelve-year tenure within the InsurTech industry. A graduate of UC Berkeley, Rob embarked on his career with a fervent commitment to democratize technology usage while safeguarding personal and sensitive information.

Throughout his distinguished career, Rob has navigated a diverse array of roles, from helpdesk operations to network engineering to cloud architecture. In his current capacity as Director of IT and Cybersecurity, he continues to embrace a hands-on approach, actively guiding companies along their cybersecurity pathways and innovating robust solutions that protect against the evolving landscape of digital threats.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Rob dedicates himself to community service as a volunteer firefighter and as the leader of the Northern California chapter of the National Auto Sport Association. These roles underscore his commitment to safety and community engagement, reflecting his leadership both in and out of the workplace.

Rob’s blend of deep technical expertise and community involvement not only highlights his multidimensional skill set but also his dedication to fostering secure, tech-enabled environments across various spheres.

Dan Low, Business Systems Engineer, SIA

Dan has over 10 years of experience in the IT Department at Schools Insurance Authority (SIA). He is currently serving as a Business Systems Engineer designing and implementing technology solutions for the organization. Prior to joining the IT Department, Dan filled many roles within SIA giving him an intimate understanding of the organization and allowing him to implement technology solutions that empower the pool and its members.

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

James Marta, CPA, CGMA, ARPM, Managing Partner, James Marta & Company LLP

James Marta is the Managing Partner of James Marta & Company LLP, a CPA firm headquartered in Sacramento California. James has degrees in Accounting and Finance Law. In addition, Jim earned his associate in risk management (ARM) and an associate in pool management (ARPM) and is a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). He taught the ARM courses and is the author of the Pool Manager Course. He speaks annually at various pooling conferences on pool management, analysis and finance issues. His firm performs financial consulting, accounting, audit and tax work for over 40 insurance pools and captives in eight States. Jim also is the Accreditation Manager for the California Association of Joint Powers Authorities.

Nicole Montalvo

With over 22 years of experience in the pooling industry, Nicole excels in web development, software implementation, administration, and support, while also driving process improvements and digital transformations. Her journey began in the mortgage and investment sectors, leading her to embrace continual learning and earn notable certifications. Outside of work, Nicole and her family love camping, amusement parks, and traveling to new destinations.

Lesley Murphy, Director, PFM Asset Management LLC

Lesley Murphy is currently a Director at PFM Asset Management LLC (PFMAM), where she is responsible for the firm’s sales and business development efforts in the growing California market. Lesley works to introduce both new and existing clients to the full scope of products and services available through PFMAM. In this role, Lesley draws upon her 14 years of providing both fixed income and multi-asset class investment solutions to government and non-profit clients throughout the state. Lesley is also a frequent speaker at industry conferences, including CAJPA, PARMA, and CSMFO. Prior to joining PFMAM, Lesley was employed as an analyst within the financial advisory group of an investment banking firm in Boston, where she assisted clients in the issuance of municipal debt. When not thinking about the financial markets, Lesley can be found jogging, hiking, biking, and dining throughout the greater Bay Area.

Carlos Oblites, Senior Portfolio Strategist, Chandler Asset Management

Carlos is responsible for building and maintaining client relationships with public agencies along with participating actively in the portfolio management process. Carlos has 28 years of investment and financial experience, focused largely on managing short-term fixed income and pension strategies for governmental and institutional non-profit clients. Carlos currently serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s Multi Asset Class Committee. Prior to joining Chandler, Carlos served as the Administrative Services Manager at Central Marin Sanitation Agency (CMSA) and was responsible for all aspects of the Agency’s financial, human resources, administrative support, and information systems activities. He also has significant expertise in serving California public agencies, healthcare, and insurance clients through his roles as Director at PFM Asset Management, and as a Principal at Wells Capital Management. Carlos holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration from San Francisco State University.

Tom Pelster, CIO, PRISM

Tom Pelster is the Chief Information Officer for Public Risk Innovation, Solutions and Management (PRISM). Tom has worked in the IT field for over 25 years in the California public sector at the state and local levels. From programmer to business analyst to database administrator to data center manager, Tom has a comprehensive knowledge of how IT works. He has a passion for seeing technology solutions implemented that make sense and add business value.

Kortney Riddle, SPHR and SHRM-SCP, BETA Healthcare Group

Kortney has more than 15 years of experience in global Human Resources, Org Development, Safety and Health. Her career focus has always been helping business leaders navigate complex people issues using a well-rounded, employee centered approach; allowing teams and organizations to thrive in constantly changing and increasingly challenging environments.

Kortney has held various positions across HR centers of excellence throughout her career. She has worked in technology, finance, manufacturing, and most recently insurance, currently the Vice President of People Operations at BETA Healthcare Group and an instructor in the UC Berkeley extension program. In addition, Kortney sits on the Advisory Board for the Cal State East Bay Transformative Leadership in Disruptive Times Program. In her free time, she likes to run and spend time with family.

Lucy Rimsky, Director, Investment Consultant, Strategic Asset Alliance

Lucy Rimsky, Director, joined Strategic Asset Alliance in 2024. Ms. Rimsky has more than 25 years of investment experience, including working with institutional clients in healthcare, insurance, and other public and corporate areas.

Prior to joining SAA, Ms. Rimsky was a Senior Research Analyst with US Institutional focusing on insurance clients. She led a team responsible for all aspects of the client relationship including manager research, asset allocation, and client consulting.

Ms. Rimsky was also a Senior Client Analyst with Marquette Associates where she worked with institutional clients providing manager research, asset allocation, and portfolio analytics, as well as an equity research associate at A.G. Edwards (now Wells Fargo).

Ms. Rimsky earned a BSBA from the University of Dayton and an MBA from Saint Louis University. Currently, she is an Investment Committee Member (volunteer position) with the Girl Scouts.

Martin Ronquillo, Director of Cyber Risk, ASCIP

Martin joined ASCIP in 2010, as the Information Technology Manager supporting ASCIP staff and providing guidance in cybersecurity. Martin is currently the Director of Cyber Risk, leading the support for all members by providing guidance in all cybersecurity related matters. Prior to ASCIP, Martin spent over 10 years as an information technology professional at various organizations. Martin holds a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance, and Bachelors of Science in Business Information Systems. In addition, Martin, completed Certificates in Chief Risk Officer Program and Chief Information Security Officer from Carnegie Mellon University and has obtained certifications as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and a Certified School Risk Manager (CSRM).

Carl Sandstrom, Business Project’s Manager, CJPIA

Prior to joining the California JPIA, Carl worked in the field of risk management in the finance industry for 17 years. He has been a valuable member of the California JPIA’s team since 2003. Carl holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from San Diego State University and the Associate in Risk Management - Public Entities designation. He is currently the California JPIA’s Business Projects Manager and is responsible for various information technology and communications projects. Carl has been active with the California Association of Joint Powers Authorities, CAJPA, since 2006, is a current member and former Chair of the CAJPA Technology subcommittee and is a current member and former Vice Chair of the CAJPA Accreditation subcommittee.

Chris Shaffer ARM-P, Chief Operating Officer, George Hills

Chris has an extensive 30-year record of achievement in the management of corporate operations, risk management, business systems, and network operations. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Utah where he majored in US History, minored in Spanish and Music (Jazz Performance). Chris holds an Associate in Risk Management for Public Entities (ARM-P) designation, as well as several technical certifications. Chris and his wife Amy live in Lincoln, California.

Bill Scribner, Vice President of Data & Technology, BETA Healthcare Group

Bill has over 30 years of experience as a technology executive and consultant. His team is responsible for delivering and managing advanced and innovative technology solutions to enhance data-driven decision making and increase organizational efficiency and security. Prior to joining BETA, he served as Vice President of Information Technology for Prima Communications, Inc., was a principal and consultant with Sierra Data Systems, Inc. and Director of Information Technology with the ALPHA Fund. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of La Verne.

Lisanne

Sison, Managing Director, ERM

Ms. Lisanne Sison, Managing Director, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) with Arthur J. Gallagher, has over 20 years of experience providing consulting services to a broad spectrum of entities including public entities, universities, manufacturing companies and more. She is a national resource focused on providing accessible and meaningful ERM consulting support that is tailored to the needs of each individual client. She also has a background in internal audit / compliance reviews, business process improvement reviews, Environmental Social Governance, strategic planning facilitation and more. Prior to joining Gallagher in 2018, she was the Director of Risk Management Consulting at Bickmore, and prior to that was a Manager with KPMG LLP’s Advisory Services Practice.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 SPONSORS!