Thomas Elected

While attending the IAIABC Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona in September, Richard Thomas, Administrator for the Kansas Division of Workers Compensation's Public Resource Section, was elected to the Executive Committee of the International Association of Industrial Accidents Boards and Commissions (IAIABC).

A unanimous vote from the association's jurisdictional members elected the slate of candidates into office for the 2007 - 2008 term. Election to the executive committee is a sign of respect by industry peers.

The IAIABC Executive Committee is composed of nine executives from IAIABC member organizations and the immediate past president. The committee is the governing body of the Association, and carefully monitors the Association's finances and strategic initiatives.

Paul Dionne, IAIABC Past President, was extremely pleased by the growth in stature of the executive committee. "The three newest members, William Emrick, Jim Kile, and Richard Thomas, bring years of experience as leaders in the IAIABC and in the workers' compensation industry, and truly enhance the distinction and talent of the current board," said Dionne. "We look forward to carrying on a tradition of dedication and collegial efforts."

Thomas has served on various IAIABC committees since 1987, when he joined the staff of the Division of Workers Compensation. He has served on the Vocational Rehabilitation, Education, Alternative Dispute Resolution/Judicial and the Administration Committees. He has been appointed as the Chair of the Administration Committee for the past six years.

Since joining the Division, Mr. Thomas has served as the Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator and Administrator for the Ombudsman unit. His current position is with the executive staff of the Division of Workers Compensation as Administrator for the Public Services Unit which includes vocational rehabilitation, ombudsman, seminar planning and the legislative liaison duties for the Division.

Founded in 1914, IAIABC is a not-for-profit association representing most of the government agencies charged with the administration of workers' compensation systems throughout the United States, Canada, and internationally. Its mission is to advance the administration of workers' compensation systems through education, research, and information sharing. It is governed by an executive committee of jurisdictional agency leaders, and maintains a staff headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin.

IAIABC Web site