The Florida Workers' Compensation Hall of Fame was established in 2012 by the Workers' Compensation Institute. In that first year, there were 17 inducted. All were currently active in professions involved with workers' compensation. Thereafter, a "Legends" group was created to honor those who had likewise contributed to this community, but who also had departed through retirement or otherwise.
The Hall is not a new topic for this blog. In 2013, I penned Are You a Mentor. Upon the induction of a legend and former judge, Elwyn Akins, I penned Remembering a Legend from Trenton in 2015. I chronicled the 2016 induction dinner in A Reminiscence and a Challenge. In Thoughts from the Hall of Fame, I noted the inductions in 2017. Most recently, I paid tribute to a legend, Jack Langdon, upon his passing from this world both prematurely and unexpectedly. The inductees and their stories of contribution to this community are worthy of note.
The Hall of Fame idea is not isolated. Most recently, the Kentucky workers' compensation community similarly established a Hall of Fame. The Kentucky Hall inaugural class of inductees numbered twenty. It included attorneys, judges, a doctor, and a court reporter. Through conversations with some involved in that effort, I appreciate the work that was required to both identify and vet the nominees. Finding worthy candidates is not a challenge. Choosing the particular inductees from such a volume of worthy folks is.
The Florida Hall presents each inductee with a plaque. It reads simply:
"in appreciation for devoting his distinguished career to the betterment of the workers compensation system in the state of Florida and for providing leadership, dedication and service to advance the highest philosophy and practice of workers compensation."
Today, I write to introduce you to those elected to membership recently; each will be inducted to the Florida Hall next winter at a dinner in Orlando. Each of these was nominated by a current Hall member (some are joint nominations). And, for each, I have taken the liberty of quoting from the nomination. I have declined, however, to reveal the identity of the nominator of each. Certainly, a blog post could easily be compiled for each of these five individuals. Here each is afforded but a paragraph; only some highlights are mentioned. As I penned this, I chastised myself for failing to provide such for those inducted in 2018 and 2019, dinners that I missed. More on that below.
The 2020 inductees are listed here in alphabetical order.
Bob Barrett is a partner in the Rissman firm in Orlando. Mr. Barrett is "extraordinarily respected by all in the workers’ compensation profession." He "has been very active" in the workers' compensation community and organizations. This has included the Workers' Compensation Section of the Florida Bar. He has served the WCI Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference (WCEC), for which he serves on the Program Committee. Mr. Barrett is "a very frequent speaker, especially on programs when the subject matter is a bit more difficult," such as issues involving PEOs.
Geoff Bichler is the managing partner at Bichler and Longo in Orlando. Mr. Bichler "graduated from the University of Miami"; he "later joined Richard Sicking in his practice and has been representing First Responders since that time." He has "been very involved in the Heart Bill" and other benefit presumptions both in and alongside workers' compensation. Mr. Bichler was involved in "cases, such as the Miles v. City of Edgewater and Westphal v. City of St. Petersburg." He has served on "the Executive Council of the Workers Compensation Section of the Florida Bar and is on the Board of Directors for Kids Chance of Florida." Notably, he "was nationally recognized by Work Comp Central as the Comp Laude Award recipient for Applicant Attorney of the Year" in 2018.
Steve Coonrod is a partner with the McConnaughhay firm in Tallahassee. He has "been a mainstay in the defense workers compensation practice in north Florida representing numerous employers and carriers." Mr. Coonrod "serves as Litigation Manager for the Florida Workers Compensation Joint Underwriting Association (JUA)." He has "played a major role in organizing the annual WC conference and is called upon frequently to present on various subjects." Mr. Coonrod was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for WCI." Mr. Coonrod has served as "chair of the WC Board Certification Committee," on the Executive Council of the WC section, and as a "faculty member of the Florida Bar’s WC trial advocacy program." Notably, he "is board certified in workers' compensation," and has been since 1998. As an aside, more attorneys should be board-certified.
Stacy Hosman is a veteran of claims management. Her "professionalism and dedication are on display with each of her interactions." She has been involved in workers' compensation for over 30 years" including work for both "Aetna, and Cambridge Insurance." Currently, she serves the Workers' Compensation Claims Professionals (WCCP), "as both a board member and Executive Director." Ms. Hosman "has been a tireless advocate" for education in this community. She has bee significantly involved in "development and expansion of the Florida Bar Forum in partnership with the WC Florida Bar section," and the "Claims Managers Conference." She also serves as "a member of the Kids' Chance board."
Mark Touby is the managing partner of Touby, Chait, and Sicking in Miami. He has "served the Workers' Compensation community well in many different positions." Mr. Touby is "Co-Chair of the Forum, the Florida Bar's CLE Educational Program, and Vice Chair of the Board Certification Committee." He "is Chair Elect designate of the Workers' Compensation Executive Council and past president of Florida Workers' Advocates." Mr. Touby has served in the past as "President of Friends of 440," and has a long history of "fundraising for their scholarship fund." He "is board certified in workers' compensation." And, he has been involved in numerous educational efforts.
I will be in Orlando next winter when these are inducted. I regret that I missed the last two induction dinners. It is a long drive from Pensacola to Orlando, and that return drive particularly gets a bit sleepy in Defuniak Springs at one or two o'clock on a Saturday morning. But, it has occurred to me recently that life is short. I am told that realization tends to come to us as we age (or should that be "mature?"). Thus, I am striving to slow down a bit and smell the roses more as I pass. And, a fine element of that effort should be my attendance at this annual dinner.
These are leaders in the world of workers' compensation. They are not the only leaders. Frankly, I am pleased that this state has such esteemed leaders and contributors. I am also conscious that each of us likely has somewhat limited vision. We tend to work hard in our own little corner of the community and perhaps we know our own neighbors better than we know some others? Do you know someone who should be nominated for the Florida Workers' Compensation Hall of Fame? Email me and tell me why.
The 34 Hall Members as of today (the names above will be added after the induction in 2020) are:
Michele Adams (’16)
Stewart Colling, Esq. (’12)
Tom Conroy, Esq. (’12)
Hon. Robert Dietz (’16)
Rosemary Eure, Esq. (’14)
Al Frierson, Esq. (’12)
Karen Gilmartin, Esq. (’14)
Dan Hightower, Esq. (’12)
Jackie Hilston (’18)
Hon. Jeffrey Jacobs (‘18)
George Kagan, Esq. (’12)
Barry Keyfetz, Esq. (’13)
Joe Keene (’12)
Thomas Koval, Esq. (’15)
Steve Kronenberg, Esq. (’12)
Hon. Alan Kuker (’13)
Hon. David Langham (’12)
Hon. John Lazzara (’12)
Ray Malca, Esq. (’12)
Jim McConnaughhay, Esq. (’12)
Bob O'Halloran (’12)
Vilma Palmer (’18)
David Parrish, Esq. (’12)
Claude Revels (’14)
Steve Rissman, Esq. (’12)
William Rogner, Esq. (’18)
Hon. Stephen Rosen (’12)
Gerry Rosenthal, Esq. (’12)
Marc Salm, Esq. (’14)
Richard Sicking, Esq. (’12)
Mary Ann Stiles, Esq. (’13)
Hon. M. Kemmerly Thomas (’17)
Richard Thompson, Esq. (’16)
Scott Westman (’17)
The 28 "Legends" are:
Hon. Israel Abrams (’12)
Bud Adams (’12)
Hon. Elwin Akins (’15)
Dudley Burton (’13)
Doc Dockery (’13)
Hon. William Douglas (’13)
John Dubreuil (’12)
Jim Earle, Esq. (’12)
Hon. A.S. “Gus” Fontaine (’12)
Hon. Elmer Friday (’13)
Rick Hodges (’13)
Lynn Houser (’14)
Ed Hurt, Esq. (’12)
G.W. Jacobs, Esq. (’12)
Jack Langdon, Esq. (‘14)
David Levine, Esq. (’14)
Ivan Matusek, Esq. (’12)
Frank May, Esq. (’15)
Hon. Betty Miller (’12)
Jack Miller, Esq. (’12)
Howard Pelsner, Esq. (’12)
Hon. Terrell Sessums (’13)
Hon. Leander Shaw (’13)
Hon. Steve Slepin (’12)
Hon. Baxter Swing (’12)
Gil Waters (’14)
Hon. William Wieland (’12)
Mason Wines, Esq. (’14)
The 34 Hall Members as of today (the names above will be added after the induction in 2020) are:
Michele Adams (’16)
Stewart Colling, Esq. (’12)
Tom Conroy, Esq. (’12)
Hon. Robert Dietz (’16)
Rosemary Eure, Esq. (’14)
Al Frierson, Esq. (’12)
Karen Gilmartin, Esq. (’14)
Dan Hightower, Esq. (’12)
Jackie Hilston (’18)
Hon. Jeffrey Jacobs (‘18)
George Kagan, Esq. (’12)
Barry Keyfetz, Esq. (’13)
Joe Keene (’12)
Thomas Koval, Esq. (’15)
Steve Kronenberg, Esq. (’12)
Hon. Alan Kuker (’13)
Hon. David Langham (’12)
Hon. John Lazzara (’12)
Ray Malca, Esq. (’12)
Jim McConnaughhay, Esq. (’12)
Bob O'Halloran (’12)
Vilma Palmer (’18)
David Parrish, Esq. (’12)
Claude Revels (’14)
Steve Rissman, Esq. (’12)
William Rogner, Esq. (’18)
Hon. Stephen Rosen (’12)
Gerry Rosenthal, Esq. (’12)
Marc Salm, Esq. (’14)
Richard Sicking, Esq. (’12)
Mary Ann Stiles, Esq. (’13)
Hon. M. Kemmerly Thomas (’17)
Richard Thompson, Esq. (’16)
Scott Westman (’17)
The 28 "Legends" are:
Hon. Israel Abrams (’12)
Bud Adams (’12)
Hon. Elwin Akins (’15)
Dudley Burton (’13)
Doc Dockery (’13)
Hon. William Douglas (’13)
John Dubreuil (’12)
Jim Earle, Esq. (’12)
Hon. A.S. “Gus” Fontaine (’12)
Hon. Elmer Friday (’13)
Rick Hodges (’13)
Lynn Houser (’14)
Ed Hurt, Esq. (’12)
G.W. Jacobs, Esq. (’12)
Jack Langdon, Esq. (‘14)
David Levine, Esq. (’14)
Ivan Matusek, Esq. (’12)
Frank May, Esq. (’15)
Hon. Betty Miller (’12)
Jack Miller, Esq. (’12)
Howard Pelsner, Esq. (’12)
Hon. Terrell Sessums (’13)
Hon. Leander Shaw (’13)
Hon. Steve Slepin (’12)
Hon. Baxter Swing (’12)
Gil Waters (’14)
Hon. William Wieland (’12)
Mason Wines, Esq. (’14)
.