MONTANA SELF INSURERS’ ASSOCIATION - MSIA
MAY 2020 UPDATE
There is a lot going on with your Montana Self Insurers Association and I wanted to bring you up to speed a little bit. You will be hearing more from me as the days go by.
If you are the not the right person to receive MSIA information within your organization, please forward this information on and let me know who should receive it. If you are not a member, and wish to consider membership, please contact me directly.
- New Executive Director for MSIA – Introducing Peter Strauss
- FREE ACOEM Webinar: "COVID-19: Preparing for Large Scale Return to Work" - TOMORROW Wed 5/13
My name is Peter Strauss and your Board of Directors has asked me to take the reins of the association as the Executive Director.
Bob Worthington was asked by the Board to help transition from Larry Jones to a successor. Bob and I had spoken for a number of weeks about the transition and the Board approved my retention at the end of April. I have worked in the Montana system since the 90's and have worked with Bob and Larry for years. We met last week to transfer the files and information for MSIA and both gentlemen remain available to me based both on our friendship and professional relationship.
I retired from Montana State Fund last month after over 17 years as one of the Operations Vice Presidents and Compliance Officer and appreciate the opportunity to continue to work in the Montana workers' compensation system. I've worked in Montana since the mid-90's when I represented NCCI in the state. Working with George Wood and Bob Worthington, among others, I assisted in many of the 1995, 97 and 99 law changes and on behalf of MSF have been involved with the law changes since 2003, including providing some of the ideas and back office support for the 2011 changes.
Prior to my MSF work, I represented NCCI to public policymakers, carriers, trade associations and was responsible for regulatory filings, including rate filings. All told, I have worked in about 30 different state workers' compensation systems. I have been involved with any number of and state business associations around the country and with the NAIC, IAIABC, NCSI and SIIA.
I look forward to bringing my strategic planning, corporate budgeting, operations and small business ownership experience to bear on our behalf.
During my years in the Montana system, I have worked with many of you and look forward to working with all of you. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need information or have questions. With my background, if it deals with workers compensation if I don’t know the answer, I probably know someone in the country who does.
- FREE ACOEM Webinar: "COVID-19: Preparing for Large Scale Return to Work" - TOMORROW Wed 5/13
Dr. Jennifer Christian is moderating a panel of experts in a free ACOEM webinar on Wednesday May 13 entitled “COVID-19: Preparing for Large Scale Return to Work – A Strategic and Pro-Active Approach”.
The event begins at 12 noon Eastern and is open to the public at no charge. It is intended especially for physicians and other professionals to whom workers and/or employers will turn for guidance. It will be recorded and accessible for later listening. This is the latest in a growing series of ACOEM webinars focused on various aspects of the pandemic.
The 5/13 webinar focuses on “the big picture” of re-opening. It will identify several predictable challenges — other than the obvious need for rational testing and personal protective practices — that are likely to arise for individual workers as well as their employers as large numbers of people are returning to work, more or less simultaneously. To reserve your spot for the webinar, go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/2015889543702/WN_s8qjncoPRTKV14Ma6RI63A
To learn more about the webinar and to see Dr. Christian's blog, go to:
You may remember Dr. Christian from the 60 Summits efforts here in Montana about 12 years ago. She helped organize business, physicians, labor, attorneys, insurers and regulators to review the system operations. Dr. Christian remains active in workers compensation issues and is a member of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).
Thanks to Board Member Mike Marsh for passing this information on.
Peter Strauss, Executive Director
Montana Self Insurers Association
520 Monroe Ave
Helena, MT 59601
406-431-7220