William McGannon, David Mikulina named to the Risk Management Hall of Fame

SAN DIEGO – William McGannon, a risk management pioneer who had a resounding impact on Canada’s risk management profession, is among the two latest members of the Risk Management Hall of Fame (RMHF).

McGannon – long-time employee of NOVA Chemical Corporation, frequent lecturer and regular RIMS conference presenter – and David Mikulina, retired vice president of risk management for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, were officially inducted at RIMS 2016 Annual Conference & Exhibition in San Diego, RIMS and American International Group, Inc. (AIG), which jointly founded the RMHF in 2011, announced Monday.

McGannon, who passed away last year, was one of the first Canadian risk managers to establish a full-service risk management department that included loss prevention and statistical support at NOVA Chemical Corporation, notes a statement from RIMS, the risk management society.

“His unique and integrated approach to this business function combined risk management, safety, health and environment and could be considered a premature version of enterprise risk management,” RIMS reports.

After retiring in 1998, McGannon remained active in the risk management field, frequently lecturing at the University of Calgary where he was instrumental in establishing the Chair of Risk Management position, serving as “Executive in Residence” from 1998 to 2000, and taking part in the Risk Manager in Residence program, including mentoring aspiring risk management and insurance students.

Upon his retirement, the William H. McGannon Foundation was established in his honour. To this day, the foundation offers resources in the form of scholarships, research grants and student involvement initiatives to advance risk management by way of education, research, mentorship and work experience programs.

Related: William H. McGannon Foundation founding father passes away

The active member of RIMS also received the Donald M. Stuart Award, widely regarded as Canada’s highest risk management honour. He has “left behind an unparalleled legacy on the risk management community,” RIMS adds.

Also inducted in the RMHF was Mikulina, a RIMS member for almost 35 years, who is distinguished by his charitable endeavours, exceptional risk management achievements and altruism.

After serving with the First Infantry Division in Vietnam, he later embarked on a career in risk management and insurance, holding positions in such companies as GATX, Kraft, Alexander and Alexander and Hyatt.

“In what was already an excellent program, Dave played an integral role in expanding and further developing the program in such areas as risk transfer methods, claims management, risk management training and crisis management, to name a few,” notes the RIMS statement. “From adding medical professionals to his risk management team as a means to address workers’ compensations exposures, to establishing risk seminars for all employees, Dave drove the culture of safety and risk management at Hyatt Hotels and the organization continues to implement many of his strategies today.”

Mikulina, too, gave risk management presentations at various RIMS conferences and schools, including the University of Wisconsin School of Business and DePaul University School of Hospitality Leadership.

“Although the risk management profession has evolved significantly, the achievements of its early pioneers continue to have lasting influence on the processes and strategies used today,” says RIMS CEO Mary Roth, emphasizing that both McGannon and Mikulina “have unquestionably made substantial contributions to the profession and RIMS.”

Rob Schimek, CEO of AIG Commercial, adds that “we are pleased to recognize Bill and Dave for significant achievement in their professional careers and their contributions to shaping the risk management discipline.”

Also Monday, RIMS announced the recipients of its series of industry awards:

• the Harry and Dorothy Goodell Award – RIMS’ most prestigious honour, paying tribute to an individual who has furthered the goals of the society and the risk management discipline through outstanding service and achievement – was presented to Christopher Mandel, senior vice president of strategic solutions for Sedgwick Claims Management, Inc.;
• Robin Joines, senior vice president of risk management for Sedgwick, was honoured with the Ron Judd “Heart of RIMS” Award, which recognizes outstanding performance in furthering risk management at the chapter level;
• Alumine Bellone, director of risk and insurance for Broward Health, and Kathleen Crowe, account specialist II for Aon Risk Solutions, were named recipients of the RIMS Rising Star Award, for demonstrating exceptional initiative, volunteerism, professional development, achievement and leadership potential;
• Darius Delon, member of the South Alberta Chapter and associate vice president of risk services at Mount Royal University, and Daniel McGarvey, member of the Western Carolina Chapter and managing director at Marsh, were recognized in the RIMS Ambassadors Group for their continued service with RIMS, going above and beyond to help strengthen and support the society’s strategic initiatives;
• David Engel, director of AT&T risk management, was presented with the Cristy Award, which acknowledges the individual earning the highest marks on the three exams required for the Associate of Risk Management designation; and
• Gus Fuldner, head of insurance at Uber Technologies Inc., received the 2016 Risk Manager of the Year Award.

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