Newsletter

End-of-Year Message from CEO Alex Smith

From Alex Smith, Chief Executive Officer

As 2023 draws to a close, and we look forward to the new year, it is a time of reflection and anticipation. I am immensely grateful for the trust and confidence our members have placed in the Authority to be your partner in risk management.

As I reflect upon the building blocks of past successes, a major contributing factor has been the high level of engagement and collaboration between the Authority and member agencies. The strength of these relationships enables achievements such as record-breaking training participation, new process efficiencies in claims management, and the implementation of relevant and timely risk mitigation programs and initiatives. All these efforts move us forward together toward the greater objective of preventing claims across the membership and minimizing the severity of claims when they occur.

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In 2023, we marked the culmination of a remarkable era as we honored Jonathan Shull, our departing chief executive officer, for his 28 years of dedicated service to the Authority and its members. It is a privilege for me to take up the mantle and continue advancing the legacy of success established under Jon. During my first six months on the job, I’ve been listening to and learning about member priorities and issues, meeting with vendors and business partners, and becoming more familiar with all the extraordinary work our incredible staff does every day.

This past year, we welcomed three exceptional cities to the Authority as new or returning members: Fountain Valley, Hermosa Beach, and Laguna Hills. The onboarding process went smoothly, and the delivery of services, including training, claims management, and risk management consulting, is off to a great start.

I am also proud to report that attendance at the Annual Risk Management Educational Forum a few months ago was up 24 percent year-over-year to 471 attendees, representing 73 percent of the membership. This is a high-water mark for us as an organization, and we genuinely appreciate everyone who came to learn, network, and enjoy our speaker lineup. We’ve already begun working on next year’s event, which will be another good one. You will not want to miss it.

As we look toward 2024, I am filled with optimism and enthusiasm. We are poised to embrace new opportunities, overcome challenges, and continue providing our members with exceptional service. As always, we remain vigilant and focused on safety, helping protect your valuable resources from loss (people, property, and treasury) so your local communities can thrive.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership with the California JPIA. We wish everyone a joyful holiday season and a New Year full of growth and meaning.

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