California's insurance commissioner, Ricardo Lara, has reappointed two people to the advisory board of the California Organized Investment Network (“COIN”) and one person to the governing committee of the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (“WCIRB”).
“My department is committed to socially responsible investing in our communities and environment, and to keeping the costs of workers' compensation insurance affordable for businesses and their employees,” said Commissioner Lara. “Our board members are critical to ensuring we are accountable to the people of California.”
The three reappointments are:
Douglas Bystry, the president and chief executive officer of the Clearinghouse CDFI, a for-profit community development financial institution. He was first appointed to COIN's advisory board in March 2012.
Nick Roxborough, the co-managing partner of the Los Angeles-based law firm of Roxborough, Pomerance, Nye & Adreani, LLP. He was first appointed to COIN's advisory board in March 2013.
Mitch Steiger, the legislative advocate for the California Labor Federation, representing trade union interests to statewide officials and state legislators. He was first appointed to the WCIRB's governing committee in April 2011.
Established in 1996, COIN guides insurers on making safe and sound investments that yield environmental benefits throughout California and social and economic benefits within the state's underserved communities. The COIN advisory board – consisting of the insurance commissioner and leaders in insurance, economic development, impact investments, and consumer advocacy – provides focus and guidance to the commissioner and COIN to meet its mission.
The WCIRB is a private organization licensed by the California Department of Insurance for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and compiling rating data. Funding comes from assessments of the insurer members. All workers' compensation insurance companies in California are required by law to be members of the bureau.
The WCIRB's governing committee sets policy, oversees management of the affairs of the WCIRB, and oversees all issues involving pure premium rates, classifications, rating plans, rating systems, manual rules and policy, and endorsement forms.
Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].