cwci logo
Sign In

Our online store is currently undergoing maintenance to improve your experience. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@cwci.org.

Communications / news / press release

Press Release

CWCI Elects Board of Directors For 2024

March 20, 2024

Oakland, CA – Eric M. Hansen, Senior Vice President – Underwriting at Preferred Employers, was elected as Chair of the California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI) Board of Directors (CWCI) for 2024 at CWCI’s 60th annual meeting this week.  Mr. Hansen was first elected to CWCI’s Board in 2014 and has been a member of the Institute’s Executive Committee since 2021.

Joining Mr. Hansen on CWCI’s 2024 Executive Committee will be Eric S. Belk, Travelers; Michael Cunningham, Zenith Insurance Company; Amanda Granger, ICW Group Insurance Companies; Kris Mathis, CopperPoint Insurance Companies; Vernon Steiner, State Compensation Insurance Fund; and Matthew Zender, AmTrust North America.

Also elected to serve on CWCI’s 2024 Board of Directors were David A. McGowan, AF Group/CompWest; Adnan Pathan, AIG;  Paul E. Ziegler, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty; Andrew Linkhart, Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies; Jeff Rush, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (an associate member); Mary Beth Pittinger, CHUBB; Christopher M. Thurman, CNA Insurance; Michael Gill, EMPLOYERS; Tim Roberts, Everest Insurance; Carmen Sharp, The Hanover Insurance Group; Kevin Wagenknecht, The Hartford; Dr. Mary Capelli-Schellpfeffer, Liberty Mutual Insurance; Justin Smith, North American Casualty Company; Jim Hurley, Republic Indemnity Company of America; Brooks Rice, Schools Insurance Authority (an associate member); Scott D. Lange, Sentry Insurance; Michele Halstenrud, WCF Insurance; and Neil Deblock, Zürich North America.

The Institute, established in 1964, is a private, nonprofit association working to improve California workers’ compensation through research, information, education, and representation.  CWCI members include 25 insurer groups (comprised of nearly 200 underwriting companies that write and service 76 percent of California statewide workers’ compensation premium), as well as 30 of the largest public and private self-insured employers in the state.

                                                                                                              * * * * *

Explore More News

Independent Medical Review Trends and Outcomes, 2015-2025

Read More

CWCI: COVID-19 Drove Recent Volatility in California Work Injury and Illness Trends

Read More

Emerging Drug Classes in California Workers' Comp: Psychotherapeutic & Neurological Drugs

Read More

Registration Now Open for CWCI's 62nd Annual Meeting

Read More

California Public Self-Insured Workers' Comp Claims Fell Last Year, But Losses Hit New Highs

Read More

CWCI: New California WC Medical Mileage Rate For Travel On or After January 1, 2026

Read More

DIR Announces 2026 California Workers' Comp User Funding Assessment Rates

Read More

SAWW Increase to Require A California Workers Comp Benefit Bump in 2025

Read More

CWCI Report Examines Functional Restoration Programs in California Workers' Comp

Read More

Sara Widener-Brightwell Promoted to CWCI Executive Vice-President and General Counsel

Read More

We’re in the process of rolling out updates and improvements.

This feature will be restored shortly.

For assistance, please email us at