Gov. Schwarzenegger Appoints Three Members to State Fund Board
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the appointments of Jeanne Cain, Kent Dagg and Vincent Mudd to the State Compensation Insurance Fund Board. Cain was also named chairwoman by the governor.
“Reinvigorating the State Compensation Insurance Fund Board is the next step in achieving real workers’ compensation reform for California’s employers and workforce,” Governor Schwarzenegger said. “It is essential that the Board work toward creating an environment of increased competitiveness in the marketplace to lower insurance costs to businesses and attract more insurers to California. I am confident that Jeanne, Kent and Vincent are keenly aware of the issues confronting the system and will work to foster an atmosphere that refocuses the State Fund toward its originally intended role in the market.”
Jeanne Cain has more than 20 years of experience with the business community and the legislative and executive branches of government. She currently serves as senior vice president of the California Chamber of Commerce where she oversees the development of public policy and strategy. Prior to that, Cain was vice president of the American Insurance Association, where she led the association’s western regional operations overseeing all state government affairs for the 10-state region. Before joining the association, Cain worked for four years as vice president of government relations for the California Chamber of Commerce serving as chief legislative advocate and specialist on health care issues. Her government experience includes service in Governor Pete Wilson’s administration as legislative secretary and deputy chief of staff.
Kent Dagg is currently the executive director of the Shasta Builders Exchange, where membership has doubled since he took leadership in 1987. In addition, he manages 10 employees and three corporations, including a 501(c)6, a 501(c)3 and a for-profit corporation. In 1995, he formed Golden State Builders Exchange which pooled all the individual workers’ compensation groups from 30 builders exchanges statewide into one group. Today that group represents over $500 million in premiums with a low loss ratio and focuses on worker safety and employer education. Dagg is also the founder of the Construction Boot Camp designed to introduce students to the construction industry through an intensive two-week program and introduction to contractors for hiring upon graduation. His experience also includes service on the staff of Assemblyman Stan Statham from 1978 to 1987. Dagg is a Republican.
Vincent Mudd is president and chief executive officer of San Diego Office Interiors. He is currently the acting president of the Haworth Dealer Council, Workplace Alliance Inc., and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of San Diego County. Mudd is also an executive board member of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and executive board member of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation. Through his experience as a small business owner, Mudd became the leading expert on workers’ compensation for the San Diego Chamber of Commerce. He is registered American Independent.
These positions do not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem.
The State Compensation Insurance Fund provides workers’ compensation insurance coverage for many of California’s small and medium-sized businesses. As the insurer of last resort, the fund provides needed coverage at affordable rates. Its board is entrusted to carry out this mandate. The fund currently has a 60 percent market share in California. The Board is comprised of five Governor’s appointees and three non-voting members which include: the director of the Department of Industrial Relations, the Speaker of the Assembly and the Senate President Pro Tempore. Members appointed by the Governor must be a policyholder or the employee or member of a policyholder in the State Compensation Insurance Fund for one year prior to their appointment, and must continue in this status throughout the duration of their appointment period. The Governor appoints one member from organized labor and four public members and names the chair.
Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi issued the following statement regarding the appointments:
“This is very good news for California businesses. I am extremely pleased that the Governor has appointed three capable, knowledgeable and reform-minded individuals to the board of the State Compensation Insurance Fund. I agree with the Governor that this board must play a critical role in increasing competition in the workers’ compensation marketplace, resulting in lower costs for businesses.
As I have said repeatedly, the creation of an efficiently and effectively run State Fund, which controls nearly 60 percent of the workers’ compensation market, is critical to every small business in California, and to the state’s economy as a whole. The Governor’s action today is a big step in the right direction.”