The Preferred Safety and Risk Management Award Program provides recognition to Members and Risk Management Professionals that have fostered/promoted safety & health as well as advanced the profession of risk management to protect personnel/property.
Preferred presents two awards per Loss Control territory annually as follows:
Risk Management Professional of the Year Award
Awarded to a Risk Management Professional that has demonstrated outstanding performance in the practice of risk management for their entity as well as the risk management profession.
Safety & Risk Management Member of the Year Award
Awarded to a Member that has demonstrated continuous improvement through sound risk management practices as measured primarily by the performance of their organization’s insurance program.
Preferred Members recognized for 2022 include the following:
Risk Management Professional of the
Year – 2022
- Juan Llera - Keys Energy Services
- Jeff Hoyle - Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue
- Christina Maguire - City of Ormond Beach
Safety and Risk Management Member of the
Year – 2021
- City of Greenacres
- Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue
- Marion County BOCC
Pictured: (L to R) Chris Kittleson, Director of Loss Control Technical Services – Public Risk Underwriters of Florida, Inc.; Juan Llera, Risk Manager – Keys Energy Services
Juan Llera, Risk Manager - Keys Energy Services
Risk Management Professional of the Year
Juan’s accomplishments are numerous and include establishing an effective Safety Committee, developing safety conscious policies and procedures, as well as posturing claims to achieve positive outcomes.
Juan has conducted thorough accident investigations to determine cause and corrective action to prevent reoccurrence, provided safety training to staff, performed safety inspections, and continues to promote the advancement of Risk Management to protect personnel and property for Keys Energy Services.
Jeff Hoyle, Fire Chief - Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue
Risk Management Professional of the Year
When Chief Hoyle began his tenure with Cedar Hammock, they were plagued with workers’ compensation claims frequency and severity issues.
Working closely with Preferred Loss Control, the Chief instituted a light duty program, internal claims management procedures and regular claims reviews.
The Chief appointed a training officer. They extensively utilize Vector Solutions online training for many of their training needs, including those courses needed for certification.
Pictured: (L to R) Kyle Bradshaw, Deputy Chief; Art Eversole, Boyd Insurance & Investment Services; Jeff Hoyle, Fire Chief; Joe Falcone, Deputy Chief – Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue
Pictured: (L to R) Christina Maguire, Risk Manager – City of Ormond Beach; Mike Marinan, Director of Member Services – Public Risk Underwriters of Florida, Inc.
Christina Maguire, Risk Manager - City of Ormond Beach
Risk Management Professional of the Year
Christina is actively engaged in leading safety activities and aggressively pursues claims for positive outcomes. In no small part due to Christina’s contributions, Ormond Beach’s loss ratios have remained in the single digits for the last five years.
She takes advantage of the full complement of resources available to her as a Preferred member and has an excellent working relationship with Preferred Loss Control. Christina is also a mentor to RM and HR professionals at peer organizations.
City of Greenacres
Safety and Risk Management Member of the Year
Led by Suzanne Skidmore, HR Director, the Member has established an effective Safety Committee, developed safety conscious policies and procedures, aggressively pursued claims to achieve positive outcomes, conducted thorough accident investigations to determine cause and corrective action to prevent reoccurrence as well as provided safety training to keep staff up to date on safe work methods.
Ms. Skidmore and her team are always receptive to working with Preferred.
Pictured: (L to R) Andrea McCue, City Manager; Suzanne Skidmore, Human Resources Director – City of Greenacres; Chris Kittleson, Director of Loss Control Technical Services – Public Risk Underwriters of Florida, Inc
Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue
Safety and Risk Management Member of the Year
SMFR has innovatively rolled their wellness program into their already effective safety committee, believing that employee safety is tied into both mental and physical health.
They extensively utilize Vector Solutions online training.
Their internal claims management has strong elements of employee communication and creative light duty assignments.
Pictured: (L to R) Steve Hodges, Lieutenant; Adam Chevalier, Logistics Officer; Adam Perry, Battalion Chief; Rick Blanco, Assistant Chief; Debbie Tuckerman, Executive Management Assistant; Robert Bounds, Fire Chief; Bobby Thayer, Training Chief; Dan Anderson, EMS Officer – Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue
Marion County BOCC
Safety and Risk Management Member of the Year
Marion County self-insures a substantial portion of their insurance.
Led by Thomas Futch, they have a comprehensive and effective program to decrease preventable accidents and bring attention to the safety needs of the County.
They have instituted required monthly training, a recognition program for participants and have created safety liaisons within each department to encourage ownership. Employee accidents have decreased steadily over the last ten years.
Marion County extensively utilizes full complement of the resources that are made available to them as members of Preferred.
Pictured: (L to R) Michelle Stone, Commissioner [District 5]; Craig Curry, Commissioner [District 1]; Thomas Futch, Risk Liability Asset Analyst; Mike Marinan, Director of Member Services – Public Risk Underwriters of Florida, Inc.; Carl Zalak, III, Commissioner [District 4]; Amanda Tart, Executive Director of Administrative Services; Michael Rittenhouse, Safety Training & Compliance Manager; Sheri Wiley, Risk & Benefits Manager; Jeff Gold, Commissioner [District 3]; Kathy Bryant, Commissioner [District 2] – Marion County BOCC