County Management & Risk Conference

Kilimanjaro Ballroom Foyer

Kilimanjaro Ballroom 6

Kilimanjaro Ballroom 6

Kilimanjaro Ballroom 6

Kilimanjaro Ballroom Foyer

Kilimanjaro 6
Speakers: Lisa Idais, Human Resources Consultant, TAC
Darren Jackson, Law Enforcement Services Supervisor, TAC
Andrea Beard, Liability Claims Program Supervisor, TAC
In today’s climate, law enforcement officers and agencies face unprecedented scrutiny and heightened exposure to liability risks. This course is designed to equip law enforcement professionals, administrators and county officials with the knowledge and strategies needed to minimize legal risks and safeguard their agencies.
Through this session, participants will learn how to reduce liability by implementing robust policies and procedures focused on key areas such as hiring practices, background investigations, employee training and supervision. Additionally, the course will cover best practices for responding to potential exposures, including conducting internal and external investigations, and leveraging pre-claims assistance to develop a sound defense strategy.
In this session, participants will gain the tools necessary to protect county and law enforcement personnel while ensuring legal compliance and accountability.

Kilimanjaro 8
Speakers: Clem Zabalza, M.S., OHST, Deputy Director of Risk Control Services, TAC
Joe Szewczyk, Risk Control Consultant, TAC
How often have we witnessed unsafe or unlawful acts where people’s initial reaction is to ignore the situation rather than offer help? This phenomenon also occurs in the workplace. Employees may prefer to remain silent about unsafe conditions or practices rather than reporting them. Unfortunately, when issues do occur, we find out that these problems have persisted for an extended period. In this session, we will delve into the concept of behavioral safety and explore the reasons behind the inhibition to speak up. By fostering a safe work culture that encourages employees to voice their concerns and take charge, we can significantly reduce injuries and losses. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the connection between behavioral safety and leadership principles, which will empower them to contribute to building a more robust safety culture.

Kilimanjaro 7
Speakers: Stacey Bruington, MSN, CWP, Wellness Consultant, TAC
Jerry Yarbrough, Lamb County Treasurer
Ready to ignite a culture of wellness and positivity? Learn to be part of a workplace wellness revolution that empowers employees, fosters positive relationships, and cultivates a healthy, thriving culture.

Kilimanjaro Ballroom Foyer

Kilimanjaro Ballroom 6
Speaker: Steve Owens, Risk Management Consultant, TAC
Texas is a big state, and each region has its own personality. During these sessions, members will join their county cohorts to learn about hot topics, trends and service opportunities specific to their county and region. This interactive session is designed to connect participants not only to their neighboring counties but also to the RMS consultants assigned to their region.

Kilimanjaro 8
Speaker: Edward Perez, Risk Management Consultant, TAC
Texas is a big state, and each region has its own personality. During these sessions, members will join their county cohorts to learn about hot topics, trends and service opportunities specific to their county and region. This interactive session is designed to connect participants not only to their neighboring counties but also to the RMS consultants assigned to their region.

Kilimanjaro 9
Speaker: Lisa McCaig, Risk Management Consultant, TAC
Texas is a big state, and each region has its own personality. During these sessions, members will join their county cohorts to learn about hot topics, trends and service opportunities specific to their county and region. This interactive session is designed to connect participants not only to their neighboring counties but also to the RMS consultants assigned to their region.

Kilimanjaro 10
Speaker: Ernesto Galindo, Risk Management Consultant, TAC
Texas is a big state, and each region has its own personality. During these sessions, members will join their county cohorts to learn about hot topics, trends and service opportunities specific to their county and region. This interactive session is designed to connect participants not only to their neighboring counties but also to the RMS consultants assigned to their region.

Kilimanjaro 7
Speakers: Quincy Quinlan, Senior Director of Health Benefit Services, TAC
Mark Zollitsch, M.Ed., CWP, Wellness Consultant Sr., TAC
Explore health needs, barriers to care, cultural differences, critical screenings and the deadly cost of procrastination.

Amatuli Market
Join us for a lively welcome reception and dinner featuring live music, interactive activities and exciting giveaways. It's the perfect opportunity to network with fellow attendees while enjoying an evening of fun and entertainment!

Don’t forget you can earn prizes for attending the morning fitness activity.

Kilimanjaro Ballroom Foyer

Kilimanjaro Ballroom 6

Kilimanjaro 6
Speakers: Misty Pahl, AIC, PCLS, Claims Litigation Examiner, TAC
Cheraun Blankenship, PHR, SHRM-CP, Human Resources Consultant, TAC
The hiring process can be a double-edged sword. While you may find a great candidate during interviews, unforeseen challenges can arise after they join the team. In this session, we’ll take a deep dive into strategies for hiring the best candidate for the job, and more importantly, how to respond when things go wrong. Whether in HR, management or a hiring role, this presentation will equip participants with tools to minimize risk, foster better decision-making and handle post-hiring issues effectively.

Kilimanjaro 8
Speakers: Brett Anderson, Property and Auto Claims Program Supervisor, TAC
Dave Stauch, Senior Principal, CPM Texas
This session will provide a comprehensive guide to managing large-scale property losses from start to finish. We will delve into the intricate challenges and obstacles counties face following significant property damage, exploring strategies to navigate recovery and rebuild effectively. Join us to uncover essential best practices, including critical dos and don’ts, coverage options, and key considerations for bidding, procurement, and contract management. Participants will equip themselves with the knowledge to bolster their county’s resilience and ensure a swift, efficient recovery in the face of major disruptions.

Kilimanjaro 10
Speakers: Lana Spiess, IT Director, Comal County
Rebecca Beall, County Judge’s Assistant, Bailey County
Francesca Lockhart, Cybersecurity Clinic Program Lead, Strauss Center for International Security and Law at The University of Texas at Austin
Being resilient is about having a plan. This panel session will explore the critical elements of a well-structured cyber incident response plan, including clear roles, responsibilities and actionable steps to mitigate cyber threats.

Kilimanjaro 7
Speakers: Jonathan Collander, Employee Benefits Consultant, TAC
Jennifer Stacy, Panola County Auditor
Let's talk about mental health, and most importantly, how and why to talk to employees about mental health. During this roundtable discussion, we will discuss the importance of addressing mental health topics with employees, provide best practices and share experiences.

Kilimanjaro Ballroom Foyer

Kilimanjaro 6
Speakers: Helana Barmore, Workers Compensation Claims Program Supervisor, TAC
Halie Bever, Human Resources Consultant, TAC
A scenario-driven session to discuss when and where personnel issues and workers’ compensation claims collide, overlap or run away from each other! Topics will include return to work, medical disclosure, investigation of social media, activity checks, and the impact of law enforcement and first responder salary continuation.

Kilimanjaro 9
Speakers: Kelly Flores, CISR, Deputy Director of Underwriting Services, TAC
Erinn Pearson, Managing Director, National Property
Nancy Woode, Managing Director, National Property
As natural disasters grow more frequent and severe worldwide, the property reinsurance market faces new challenges. This session explains how global catastrophes like hurricanes and severe convective storms affect reinsurance pricing, availability, and requirements. We’ll look at the pressures on reinsurance capacity, the demands on property program providers, and the strategies needed to stay resilient in today’s unpredictable environment.

Kilimanjaro 10
Speakers: Jake Simpson, Principal Crowe LLP
Matt Boyd, CIRA Solutions Specialist, TAC
In today’s threat landscape, business email compromise (BEC) has become one of the most financially damaging cyber threats. Join forensics investigator Jake Simpson and TAC’s very own CIRA Solutions Specialist Matt Boyd to dive deep into the anatomy of BEC attacks. This session will cover critical aspects of detecting, investigating and containing BEC incidents using advanced digital forensics and incident response (DFIR) techniques. Attendees will gain actionable insights into identifying BEC red flags, leveraging DFIR tools to trace email compromises and establishing proactive measures to mitigate future risks.

Kilimanjaro 7
Speakers: Clarissa Messinger, Employee Benefits Consultant Sr., TAC
Kathy Davenport, Employee Benefits Consultant Sr., TAC
Are you smarter than your health plan? Bring your competitive spirit in for a fun session to discuss the basics of health insurance.

Kilimanjaro Ballroom Foyer

Kilimanjaro 6
Speaker: Brandy McAllister, Risk Management and Insurance Director, Association of Arkansas Counties
Leaders are often tasked with addressing some of the most uncomfortable and challenging situations in the workplace. This session explores the "dark side" of HR, where difficult conversations about hygiene, attitude, performance and terminations are unavoidable. Attendees will learn how to navigate these sensitive topics with confidence, empathy and professionalism.

Kilimanjaro 9
Speakers: Eric Magee, Partner, Allison, Bass & Magee, LLP
Lisa McCaig, Risk Management Consultant, TAC
Congratulations on securing your contract! But what comes next? Join us for an insightful exploration of contract language and the potential liability gaps that could leave you exposed. In this session, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of best practices, key considerations and actionable strategies to enhance existing agreements. Leave equipped with the knowledge to protect your organization and strengthen your contractual foundations!

Kilimanjaro 10
Speakers: Adrian Senyszyn, Principal, Germer PLLC
Lindsay Nickle, Partner, Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP
Join TAC RMP’s "Cyber Legal Eagles" Adrian Senyszyn and Lindsay Nickle in exploring the realities of cyber threats and the impact of data privacy regulations on local governments during a cyber incident. Learn about evidence preservation, maintaining chain of custody and ensuring admissibility in forensic investigations. Understand legal requirements for breach notifications, the consequences of non-compliance and best practices for mitigating cyber risks to strengthen your organization's resilience.

Kilimanjaro 7
Speakers: Carrye Chen, M.Ed., CHES, Wellness Program Administrator, TAC
Biral Patel, Wellness Consultant, TAC
Life gets overwhelming and chaotic at times. Anxious thoughts can cloud one’s judgment and make it difficult to breathe. During these moments, it’s important to take a break and put the mind at ease. In this session, participants will learn relaxation techniques such as grounding, breathing exercises, outdoor time and more.

Kilimanjaro 5
All attendees are invited to celebrate the 2024 TAC Management Risk Management Pool award recipients.

Kilimanjaro Ballroom Foyer

Kilimanjaro 6
Speaker: Carmen Jo “CJ” Rejda-Ponce, Principal, Germer PLLC
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) is a new law that provides additional protection for pregnant workers. Counties need to know how to comply with the PWFA, PUMP Act, and related FMLA and ADA concerns. During this session, attendees will learn how to support their pregnant workers and best practices for compliance to avoid unnecessary complications and legal actions.

Kilimanjaro 8
Speakers: Ryan Holzaepfel, Chief of Emergency Services, Chambers County
Isaac Garcia, Senior Risk Control Consultant, TAC
In an era of increasing uncertainty, safeguarding counties against unforeseen catastrophes is paramount. This session will delve into the essential strategies and tactics for building a robust disaster preparedness plan. From risk assessment and contingency planning to crisis communication and business continuity, participants will gain actionable insights to ensure their counties are resilient in the face of adversity. Learning how to protect your assets, minimize disruptions and emerge stronger from any crisis should be key for every county.

Kilimanjaro 10
Speaker: Tyson Larson, Field Sales Director, SecurityScorecard
Do you need help understanding or communicating cybersecurity concepts affecting your county? Would understanding your cybersecurity posture in an easy A-F, 1-100 score help you better understand where your county is and if your current cybersecurity investments are paying dividends? Attendees will learn about a cybersecurity tool the risk pool has partnered with that allows risk pool members free access to understand their own cybersecurity hygiene and how to better communicate cybersecurity concepts.

Kilimanjaro 7
Speakers: Quincy Quinlan, Senior Director of Health Benefit Services, TAC
Brian Naiser, Associate Director of Health & Benefits Services, TAC
During this session participants will discuss the Local Government Code (LGC) requirements for purchasing employee benefits and what services a contracted broker or consultant can provide pursuant to the LGC. Participants will also learn how to identify procurement requirements to issue a Response for Proposal (RFP) and how to avoid pitfalls when reviewing broker/consultant contracts and RFPs.

Kilimanjaro Ballroom Foyer

Kilimanjaro 6
Speakers: Lorie Floyd, M.Jur., PHR, CCEP, HR Consultants Supervisor, TAC
Cheraun Blankenship, PHR, SHRM-CP, Human Resources Consultant, TAC
Halie Bever, Human Resources Consultant, TAC
Rita Fyffe, Human Resources Consultant, TAC
Lisa Idais, Human Resources Consultant, TAC
Here is your chance to discuss human resource issues with peers and TAC human resources consultants.
In this session, speakers will cover timely HR topics, developments and best practices. This roundtable session allows for
open discussion on current HR issues and provides networking opportunities. Sharing knowledge will help solve some common challenges facing counties.

Kilimanjaro 8
Speakers: Stacy Corluccio, Claims Manager, TAC
Helana Barmore, Workers Compensation Claims Program Supervisor, TAC
Workers' compensation is full of legal requirements and deadlines. Many face consequences and possible penalties related to compliance. In this session, participants will have the opportunity to have their questions answered regarding claims reporting and various dynamics of the claims process. This session will be an open forum for you!

Kilimanjaro 9
Speakers: Steve Owens, Risk Management Consultant, TAC
Edward Perez, Risk Management Consultant, TAC
This training is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the Total Cost of Risk (TCOR) concept. Participants will learn how to assess, manage and mitigate risks while effectively quantifying their financial impact on the organization.

Kilimanjaro 7
Speakers: Ernesto Martinez, Employee Benefits Consultant, TAC
Lacy Jones, Employee Benefits Specialist, TAC
Jay Mayden, County Relations Officer, TAC
Rhita Koches, County Relations Officer, TAC
During this session, attendees will discuss the value of pooling resources to meet a need and the benefits of being a member of a larger group. A TAC Employee Benefits Consultant and County Relations Officer will discuss how working together with other counties and districts benefits everyone.

Offsite Evening Event
Join us at the Dell Diamond for a Round Rock Express baseball game! Relax and enjoy a night of America’s national pastime in an exciting atmosphere that allows fans and players alike to enjoy the game. Buses depart from the conference center side of the hotel starting at 6 p.m. Dinner buffet served from 6:15-7:30 p.m. Game starts at 7:05 p.m. Buses will loop continuously from the game to the hotel starting at 8 p.m. until the end of the game.
Conference registrants will receive ONE ticket to the game. Additional tickets for guests can be purchased directly from Dell Diamond at milb.com/round-rock.
NOTE: Dell Diamond is a clear bag venue. Bags must be clear plastic and cannot exceed 12”x6”x12”.

Don’t forget you can earn prizes for attending the morning fitness activity.

Kilimanjaro Ballroom Foyer

Kilimanjaro Ballroom Foyer

Kilimanjaro Ballroom 6
Speakers: Lorie Floyd, M.Jur., PHR, CCEP, HR Consultants Supervisor, TAC
Cheraun Blankenship, PHR, SHRM-CP, Human Resources Consultant, TAC
Halie Bever, Human Resources Consultant, TAC
Rita Fyffe, Human Resources Consultant, TAC
Lisa Idais, Human Resources Consultant, TAC
Dive into the pooling world of risk management and health and benefits in this fun trivia game! Gather your team and be prepared to test your knowledge and uncover best practices in human resources and risk pooling. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just dipping your toes in, you'll leave better equipped with insights and strategies to tackle real-world challenges with confidence. Bring your competitive spirit and be prepared for your team to take home the winning prize.

Kilimanjaro Ballroom 6