County Management & Risk Conference

Building Better Connections in the Digital Age (in-person and live online)
Speaker: Mr. Seth Mattison, Co-Founder and CEO, Luminate Labs

In today's super-wired society, humans still crave social interaction and relationships. In business, creating strong relationships is the key to achieving success, both individually and as an organization. What's the secret for cultivating successful relationships, particularly in business? As more of our lives play out virtually, connections can sometimes feel less than fulfilling. From Facebook to LinkedIn, Twitter to Instagram, it's important to remember just how powerful it can be to reach beyond the fiber optics and make that physical connection. By balancing the time and energy we spend in both the physical and virtual space, we can create deeper and more meaningful connections. Seth will explore five key insights that will equip you for building better, stronger, more authentic relationships in the new world of work.

Ransom: A County Under Attack | Part 1 (in-person and live online)
Speakers: Mr. Michael Shannon, Director of Risk Management Services, TAC
Mr. Robert Ruiz, Associate Director of Risk Management Services, TAC

In 2019, the barrage of U.S. ransomware attacks affected approximately 966 entities, of which, 113 were governmental. The cost of these ransomware attacks is in excess of $7.5 billion. Cybersecurity events, like ransomware, are on the rise and continue to evolve in new and creative ways. Gain a unique vantage point of what can happen as the infamous (and fictitious) Lone Star County deals with being hit with a ransomware attack. How did it happen and what can you can do to prevent this from happening in your county?

HR Racial Discrimination in the Workplace: Reducing Your Liability Risk
Speaker: Ms. Charli Searcy

An employee is fired one week after reporting a co-worker who used a racial slur. A supervisor tells a colleague, whose second language is English, she's impressed by how articulate he is. A qualified employee of color continues to be overlooked for promotions, seemingly with no reasonable basis. How would these issues regarding retaliation, microaggressions, or bias be addressed in our county? Would your employees describe their work environment as racially sensitive and tolerant? During this session, we will explore what racial discrimination looks like in the workplace, discuss its far-reaching impact on counties and their employees, and review strategies for promoting a fair, racially sensitive, tolerant environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and supported.

Are Little Details Undermining Your Big Risk Management Efforts?
Speakers: TAC Risk Control Consultants

Small things, small changes, small events can have big impacts on RM, losses, etc. This is a broad discussion on RM and how those little things do matter – demonstrated by lowered losses, less time lost, etc., even media and public support/bad press, etc.

The Future of Workers' Compensation in the State Legislature
Speakers: Ms. Stacy Corluccio, Claims Manager, TAC
Mr. Joe Anderson, Equity Partner and Workers Compensation Team Leader, Burns Anderson Jury & Brenner, LLP
Mr. Mike Toomey, Lobbyist, Mike Toomey & Assoc.
Mr. Noe Barrios, Director of Legislative Services, TAC

The Texas Legislature has been very active over the past two sessions with proposed and enacted legislation. Join us for a robust panel discussion on the landscape of the law, how it manifested, the impact on claims and members, and what to expect in the next legislative session and beyond.

Lifeguard Always on Duty! Your Guide to TAC Health and Employee Benefits Pool
Speakers: Mr. Jonathan Collander, Employee Benefits Consultant, TAC
Mr. Orlando Espinoza, Employee Benefits Consultant, TAC

An introduction to the Health and Employee Benefits Pool (HEBP) and products. HEBP consultants will host an informational session that explains the pool and its benefits in a fun way – with lifeguard outfits, whistles, floatie wings and funny bits!

I Think Therefore I Err (in-person and live online)
Speaker: Mr. Eric Bailey, Best Selling Author, The Cure for Stupidity: Using Brain Science to Explain Irrational Behavior

There are two things that get in the way of our success when dealing with other people: Our Mouths and Our Brains. If not for those two things... In this session we will learn to recognize the natural human reactions that cause upset, frustration, and interpersonal tension.

When Law Enforcement and Human Resources Collide
Speakers: Mr. David Iglesias, Attorney, Iglesias Law Firm PLL

Law enforcement and human resources are both critical areas of risk within counties. Human resources manage the risk of county employees, a majority of whom are law enforcement. When these areas overlap, counties must take special care to avoid potential exposure to litigation and liability. During this session we will discuss some of the situations where these two areas collide, how to handle common conflicts that arise, and simple strategies to avoid conflicts in the first place. Attendees will also learn about Chapter 614 of the Local Government Code impacting the termination process of law enforcement employees, and legislative updates impacting law enforcement and human resources.

The Possibility of Drones: Leveraging Public Safety UAS for Risk Management Applications
Speakers: Mr. Cody Powell

Like many local governments, unmanned aircraft system (UAS) programs start with public safety in mind and are dedicated for search and rescue, accident reconstruction, damage assessment, and law enforcement operations usage. After Wise County launched its UAS program, the county discovered extended possibilities for the drones. Attend this session to hear Cody Powell, Wise County Emergency Management Coordinator, discuss how Wise County's UAS program works with multiple county offices to assist in risk assessment, road planning, flood planning, and bluesky data collection.

Code Red: Cybersecurity Tabletop Simulation!
Speaker: Mr. Tony Rucci, Owner | Principal, CyberSecurity Consultant

Your county has just been impacted by a cyberattack! What would you do and how would you respond? Cyberattacks are more prevalent than ever, and counties are in the crosshairs of these bad actors. Come to this session where attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of tabletop exercises and ride "right seat" with a cybersecurity expert, as you triage and respond to cybersecurity scenarios taken from real-world cases, covering events of varying complexity in a very interactive scenario-driven session.

Mental Health and the Workplace
Speakers: Ms. Shameria Davis, Wellness Consultant, TAC
Ms. Lorie Floyd, Human Resources Consultant, TAC
Ms. Helana Barmore, Casualty Claims Supervisor, TAC

In this session you will learn how to handle post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from a human resources and wellness perspective, and what mental health programs you can implement to proactively combat PTSD.

Managing Workplace Speech
Speaker: Mr. Dustin Patchel

Employees often confuse First Amendment free speech rights with the right to say whatever they want in the workplace. What rights do employees have? And what happens when employee speech crosses the line and puts employers at risk? This session will examine the many issues involving speech in the workplace, including social media, on-duty speech versus off-duty speech, risky speech, and more. Attendees will learn how to navigate these thorny issues and effectively manage workplace speech. Attendees will also learn the relevant laws that address workplace speech, what policies to enact in the workplace, what policies to avoid and when and how they can restrict the speech of their employees.

Be a Risk Control Rock Star! Effective Facility Surveys | Part 1
Speakers: Mr. Joe Szewczyk, Risk Control Consultant, TAC
Mr. Jack Coffey, Risk Control Consultant, TAC
Mr. Milton Simmons, Director of Inspection Services, Hartford Steam Boiler

Next to your staff, facilities are the most valuable asset for your county. Much like the training you do to prevent injuries to your staff, facilities require documented surveys to protect from issues that can lead to a loss. In part one of a two-part session, attendees will learn the importance of surveys, what are important considerations, as well as tools and resources available to help conduct surveys.

First Amendment Auditing: Avoid Liability by Recognizing and Respecting Citizens' Rights
Speaker: Mr. Thomas Kerss, Law Enforcement & Simulator Consultants Supervisor, TAC

Imagine someone walks into your office holding a cell phone and begins recording you without offering an explanation. How would you feel? What would you say? What would you do? First Amendment auditing is a social movement that involves citizens photographing, recording or monitoring people and events from publicly accessible office areas and common locations in or around courthouses and other county facilities. These self-proclaimed auditors test their freedom of access and measure how you will respond. This movement is frequently partnered with Second Amendment audits intended to test their ability to lawfully possess firearms and other weapons in public areas. The actions of these auditors are often intimidating. Their recorded interactions are often posted on social media platforms and result in civil litigation. This session will discuss First Amendment protections and outline steps county officials and employees can take to prevent costly litigation or avoid the embarrassment of becoming a national social media phenomenon.

The Perils and Pitfalls of Freestanding Emergency Room and the Impact on Preventative Care
Speaker: Ms. Clarissa Martinez Employee Benefits Consultant, TAC

NO WAIT TIME! Have you seen this advertised for freestanding emergency rooms? Is preventive care worth it? In this session, we will discuss the perils and pitfalls of Texas freestanding emergency rooms, how the cost of freestanding emergency rooms has a true impact on your pocket, and how preventive care can help prevent catastrophic claims.

What? We Still Have to Comply with the Family Medical Leave Act?
Speaker: Mr. Eric Magee, Partner, Allison, Bass & Magee, LLP

Does it surprise you that many counties are not fully complying with the requirements of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)? The impact of non-compliance can be costly. During this session we will discuss what role you play in FMLA compliance, properly evaluating and addressing employees' family medical leave requests including intermittent leave, and the misuse of family medical leave.

Be a Risk Control Rock Star! Effective Facility Surveys | Part 2
Speakers: Mr. Joe Szewczyk, Risk Control Consultant, TAC
Mr. Jack Coffey, Risk Control Consultant, TAC
Mr. Milton Simmons, Director of Inspection Services, Hartford Steam Boiler

In part two, attendees will participate in an interactive presentation of the most commonly found loss exposures in counties. Presenters will help lead discussion on best practices for surveys and how to use checklists to effectively document surveys and recommendations.

What's Reinsurance Got to Do, Got to Do with Me?
Speakers: Ms. Lindsay Shipper, Managing Director, Marsh
Ms. Kelly Flores, Underwriter & Member Services Manager, TAC

What's reinsurance but a second-hand exchange? The Power of Pooling: Recognize similarities between the nature of reinsurance and risk pools. Discover what reinsurance is, why it exists and how it is used as a financial tool. You will also receive an update on the current conditions of the reinsurance market. You may even receive a treat!

Seven Powerful Ways to Control Your Covid -19 and Future Pandemic Risk
Speaker: Mr. Mark Zollitsch, Wellness Consultant, TAC

Have you ever wondered what you could do to protect yourself and your county from Covid that only had positive side effects? Sars Cov-2 continues to threaten our health, our medical claims and our future as it evolves from pandemic to endemic, even with vaccines. Who knows what else may materialize in the future? But what if we looked at risk through an entirely different lens, which focused less on the virus itself, and more on how to reduce our own and our county’s risk factors and optimize the best weapons we have to fight off Covid -19: our own immune system and the programs Healthy County offers to support it?

Objectives: Participants will be able to:

Driving Down the Costs of Auto Claims
Speakers: Mr. Todd Kisel, Risk Management Consultant, TAC
Mr. Victor Uvalle, Risk Management Consultant, TAC

The subsequent effects of one claim can be unrelenting and shouldn't be underestimated. A simple fender bender can impact employee productivity, public service capabilities, and the loss ratio for multiple lines of coverage. The presenters will discuss the risks of county fleets, common accidents, and best practices to make impactful changes to your vehicle driving operations.

Lessons Learned from the Front Lines During a Pandemic
Speakers: Hon. Danny Bueno, Jim Wells County Sheriff
Ms. Laurie Brown, Human Resources Director, Nacogdoches County
Hon. Curtis Parrish, Lubbock County Judge
Mr. Roel Soza Jr., Safety Coordinator, Jim Wells County
Mr. Robert Ruiz, Associate Director of Risk Management Services, TAC

"Hope for the best and plan for the worst," is a saying that probably resonated loudly, especially these past two years. This session, in panel format, will give you the opportunity to hear how various elected officials and staff handled an unprecedented global risk and what they know now that they wish they'd known then.

Predicting the Unpredictable: Rising Costs of Verdicts and Judgments
Speakers: Ms. Andrea Beard, Legal Liability Claims Supervisor, TAC
Mr. Mike Thompson, Associate General Counsel, TAC
Mr. Tom Brandt, Attorney, Fanning, Harper, Martinson, Brandt & Kutchin, P.C.

In this session, we will discuss changes we are seeing in the public's view of law enforcement and political officials and how that is affecting jury pools and awards. We will also touch on more trial judges who are becoming social justice warriors and how that plays into the strategy of defending these lawsuits.

The Jungle of Supplemental Retiree Coverage (County Choice Silver)
Speaker: Ms. Kathy Davenport, Employee Benefits Consultant, TAC

Join us as we enter the jungle of Post-65 Retiree Medicare Supplement Coverage. We will journey past eligibility requirements, through the snare of different options available for employers to provide to retirees, and conclude with discussing the perils of the implementation process and how TAC HEBP can assist you and your retirees.

Human Resources Roundtable
Speaker(s): TAC HR Consultants

Shared knowledge may help solve some common challenges facing your county. Here is your chance to discuss human resource issues with peers and TAC Human Resources Consultants. In this session, speakers will cover timely human resources topics, developments, and best practices. This roundtable session allows for open discussion and provides networking opportunities.

Risk Control Roundtable
Speaker(s): TAC Risk Control Consultants

Bring your questions and share your knowledge during this roundtable discussion. TAC's Risk Control Consultants will help field topics and issues facing all counties. This session allows for open dialogue and networking opportunities.

Law Enforcement Roundtable
Speaker(s): TAC Law Enforcement Consultants

Bring your questions and share your knowledge during this roundtable discussion. TAC's Enforcement Consultants will help field topics and issues facing all counties. This session allows for open dialogue and networking opportunities.

Roundtable Discussion: Improve What (You Think) is Broken
Speakers: Ms. Stacey Bruington, Wellness Consultant, TAC
Ms. Ashley Cureton, Wellness Consultant, TAC

During this session, attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the current level of participation in the wellness program and other initiatives in their county or district. They will also discover opportunities for growth across the engagement continuum, improving communication between employees and leadership, and creating a positive culture of health and wellness.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game (in-person only) | Offsite
Evening Event

Here's a great opportunity to relax and enjoy a night of America's national pastime in a safe, fun, friendly and exciting atmosphere that allows fans and players alike to enjoy the game. Round Rock Express baseball game tickets, dinner and transportation to be provided to the Dell Diamond.

Buses depart from main lobby of 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 end of game.

Conference registrants will receive 1 ticket to the game. Additional tickets for guests can be purchased directly from Dell Diamond at https://www.milb.com/round-rock.

FEAR (in-person and live online)
Speaker: Mr. Simon Keith, Inspirational Speaker, Author, Entrepreneur, Athlete, Philanthropist

Why does FEAR inhibit our behavior? Why do we allow FEAR to become the overriding presence in our lives? Is overcoming FEAR the number one difference that make the ultra-successful “different” than the masses? Simon explores this concept as part of his LEADERSHIP training and pushes the audience to come to grips with their fears and what steps they can take to  overcome this often debilitating state of mind. After participating in this KEY NOTE speech – you will be motivated more than ever to implement the strategies to overcome YOUR FEARS.

Ransom: A County Under Attack | Part 2 (in-person and live online)
Speakers: Mr. Tony Rucci, Owner | Principal, CyberSecurity Consultant
Hon. Jill Sklar, Jackson County Judge
Mr. Steven Gonzalez, IT Director, San Patricio County
Ms. Lindsay B. Nickle. Partner | Vice Chair, Data Privacy & Cybersecurity, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith

Panelists will help us unpack what happened to the cyberattack in Lone Star County this time around. We will discuss best practices, things learned and missed, as well as take some questions from the audience.