Hamilton, Abrams Appointed to Ohio BWC Leadership Team

Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has appointed two veteran workers’ compensation and insurance industry professionals to leadership roles. Dale Hamilton will serve as chief operating officer and Kevin Abrams will head BWC’s Employer Services Division.

Hamilton is former head of BWC’s Audit Department, where he managed internal and external auditing, developed a strategic plan and managed systems for the Health Partnership Program. Hamilton also served as a COO for Blue Cross, managing all workers’ compensation administrative activities, claims, bill processing and hearings.

At BWC, Hamilton will oversee the agency’s Medical Services Division, Infrastructure and Technology Division, Employer Services Division, the Division of Safety & Hygiene and the Division of Field Operations. The Senate Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee will consider Hamilton’s confirmation tomorrow.

As chief of Employer Services, Abrams will manage policy coverage initiation and maintenance, delivery of programs and compliance for all state fund and self insured employers. Several department directors will report to Abrams, including Underwriting & Premium Audit, Employer Compliance, Self-Insured, and the Professional Employer Organizations and Employer Programs Units.

Abrams most recently served as commissioner for the Industrial Commission of Ohio, which conducts hearings on disputed workers’ compensation claims. He was one of three commissioners responsible for establishing overall adjudicatory policy of the agency, including review of administrative rules, resolutions and policies.

As assistant law director for BWC from 1988 to 2005, Abrams was responsible for oversight of administrative and court settlements of BWC claims, self-insurance legal issues, bankruptcy and collection matters, and special projects involving claims issues. Abrams is also a frequent lecturer on workers’ compensation issues.

Source: Ohio BWC

Topics Workers' Compensation Ohio Leadership