Get to Know Your Liability and Workers’ Comp Team!

The Support You Need, When You Need It

At WMMIC, we believe timely service and support are crucial components in helping our members limit their risk, prevent loss, and better manage their claims needs. If you have questions or need assistance, see below to find the right contact for your needs!

Leadership Team

Pallin Allen
Executive Director/CEO

Direct: 608-245-6890
Cell: 608-733-0604
Fax: 608-852-8647
Email: pallen@wmmic.com

Biography:

1. What is your role at WMMIC?

I serve as the Executive Director.

2. What got you interested in leadership?

I have always been drawn to opportunities to overcome challenges and make a difference. Leadership offers the opportunity to do both. I enjoy seeing others succeed, and in my experience, people are at their best when you equip them, trust them, and turn them loose. I believe in servant leadership and I feel strongly that I am here to serve the WMMIC team and our members, not the other way around.

3. How long have you been in your position?

I have been at WMMIC since June of 2022.

4. Can you share a bit about your career path?

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Platteville with a degree in Engineering. My first job was with St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance as a Loss Control Representative. After that I spent time with EBI, General Casualty, and doing safety consulting. Then I spent twenty years at CMVIC in the areas of loss control, member engagement, and strategic planning before coming to WMMIC. Just before coming to WMMIC, I completed my MBA at Concordia University.

5. What skills do you bring to the team?

Preferably my team would answer this question, but I would say that I am able to build effective teams. I am typically a good decision-maker because I listen to differing views and appreciate the input of those around me.

6. What are your main responsibilities in your job?

Ultimately, I am responsible for everything that happens at WMMIC. That said, my main responsibilities are to protect member assets and to strive to always do what is best for the membership as a whole. In addition, I am responsible for motivating and supporting our team, providing a vision for what WMMIC can be, and providing guidance on how to achieve that vision.

7. What is your main area of expertise?

My primary areas of expertise include strategic planning, organizational development, fostering member relationships, and marketing.

Jacqueline Kaul
Operations Manager

Direct: 608-229-6819
Cell: 608-733-0742
Fax: 608-852-8647
Email: jkaul@wmmic.com

Biography:

1. What is your role at WMMIC?

Director of Operations

2. What got you interested in leadership?

My extensive experience in claims handling and management, combined with my ability to work with Boards of Directors to achieve strategic objectives, sparked my interest in leadership ever since joining WMMIC. My roles have consistently involved leading teams, optimizing operations, and implementing innovative processes, which naturally align with leadership responsibilities.

3. How long have you been in your position?

• I have been in my current position for just less than a year

• Been at WMMIC for over 9 years.

4. Can you share a bit about your career path?

• Current Role: Director of Operations at WMMIC, overseeing claims management, risk management, financial oversight, and strategic planning.

• Previous Roles at WMMIC:

1. Liability Manager

2. Senior Liability Claims Representative

3. Liability Claims Representative

• Other Positions:

Field Claim Representative at The IMT Group

Claims Examiner at Sedgwick

Various roles at QBE the Americas, including Senior Claims Representative, Claims Analyst, and Claims Representative.

5. What skills do you bring to the team?

• Leadership and management

• Strategic planning

• Collaboration and communication

• Training and development

• Claims handling and litigation

• Risk management

• Financial oversight

• Regulatory compliance

• Customer service focus

• Expertise in municipal law and auto-physical damage

6. What are your main responsibilities in your job?

• Supervising the Claims Manager and overseeing the Workers’ Compensation and Liability Departments

• Managing core daily business activities and ensuring the delivery of critical member services

• Supporting strategic planning and achieving business and profit objectives

• Overseeing financial management and actuarial data collection

• Managing claim service providers and developing new products and services

• Serving as WMMIC’s security and privacy officer

• Leading projects to enhance WMMIC’s offerings

• Approving and authorizing claim payments and reserve levels

• Assisting with planning and preparation of Board, committee, and workgroup meetings

• Participating in WMMIC meetings, member visits, national association meetings, and related insurance seminars

7. What is your main area of expertise?

My main area of expertise lies in claims handling and management, particularly in liability claims, risk management, and strategic planning. You also have significant experience in leadership, financial oversight, and regulatory compliance.

Sara Allen
Claims Manager

Direct: 608-729-5686
Cell: 608-733-0262
Fax: 608-852-8647
Email: sallen@wmmic.com

Biography:

1. What is your role at WMMIC?

I am the Claims Manager.

2. What got you interested in Leadership?

Many moons ago I was selected to be a trainer to new adjusters. I found that I enjoyed mentoring others and watching them grow. Since then, I have sought out opportunities to be in a all types of leadership roles, whether it be training others, heading up projects or presenting to various groups on workers compensation topics. Today I manage the workers’ compensation and liability departments at WMMIC and continue to use the skills I have learned along the way to help make these teams successful.

3. How long have you been in your position?

I started at WMMIC in February of 2021 as the Workers’ Compensation Supervisor. I became the Claims Manager in January of 2024 and continue in that role today.

4. Can you share a bit about your career path?

I started in insurance in 2004 as an Underwriting Assistant at NSI. In 2006 I switched gears at became a WC Claims Assistant at General Casualty, now known as QBE. Over the years I developed into a Senior WC Claims Representative. I have also worked at Wilson Mutual Insurance, Cincinnati Insurance Company, and the State of Wisconsin.

5. What skills do you bring to the team?

I am an effective team leader and objective decision maker. I am an engaged listener while being direct in fair in all interactions. I enjoy collaborating with others and helping where I am able. I am client-driven and have a service mentality. I embrace challenges and am adaptable and flexible. Transparency is important to me. I enjoy learning and continue to grow and expand my skill set.

6. What are your main responsibilities in your job?

I am responsible for mentoring and growing the skillsets of my teammates. I am responsible for creating and maintaining process, procedure, and best practices in WMMIC’s claim handling. I am also responsible for addressing members’ questions and concerns regarding claim-related matters.

7. What is your main area of expertise?

My main area of expertise is workers compensation; however, I continue to learn the many nuances of liability claims.

Liability Claims Icon Liability Team

Nicole Busch
Liability Team Lead

Direct: 608-268-0142
Cell: 608-733-0379
Fax: 608-852-8647
Email: nbusch@wmmic.com

Biography:

1. What is your role at WMMIC?

Liability Team Lead

2. How long have you been in your position?

I started at WMMIC in July 2023

3. Can you share a bit about your career path?

I started my insurance career at QBE in March 2009. I was brought onto the team as part of the TeleClaim Center (TCC), which was created after QBE acquired General Casualty Insurance and other regional carriers. In my first role with QBE, I was trained in the basics of insurance, including policy coverage review, claim handling, claim investigation, and claim evaluation.

During my career at QBE from 2009 – 2016, I handled multiple policy lines, including personal auto, commercial auto, and general liability insurance. My experience included handling auto physical damage, general liability property damage, and bodily injury in both the auto and general liability lines.

In 2016, I joined the Major Case Unit at NSI, a division of West Bend Insurance. In my role with NSI, I handled matters under their specialty policies, which included employment practice liability, personal appearance liability, and general liability lines of business. I handled a wide range of claims, from small curling iron burns to million-dollar bodily injury and death claims. I gained extensive experience in litigation handling during this role.

In 2017, due to changes in my personal life, I returned to QBE. I continued to handle auto losses and general liability claims, building on my litigation and claim-handling experience. I worked at QBE until I took a position with WMMIC in July 2023.

4. What skills do you bring to the team?

Claim handling is an art, each claim is unique due to the individuals involved and the distinctive set of facts in each claim. I have been blessed with a career path that has provided me opportunities in multiple coverage lines. My background provides me with varied experience to evaluate and investigate the unique claims that our municipal members are faced with. Over my career, I have developed a talent for evaluating claims and negotiating settlements.

5. What are your main responsibilities in your job?

I have many responsibilities in my job as Liability Team Lead. Day to day, I am responsible for setting up new claims that our members submit to WMMIC both in Origami and through the WMMIC Liability Inbox. I also provide our members with individual claim reports as requested, mentor and guide the liability adjusters on the liability team, provide technical support for the liability team, review, analyze, monitor, and update any claims assigned to me, prepare updated status reports for our reinsurance partners, and provide other support to the liability team and WMMIC as needed.

6. What is your main area of expertise?

Liability Claims.

Samantha McWilliams
Liability Claim Representative

Direct: 608-721-7189
Cell: 608-419-7929
Fax: 608-852-8647
Email: smcwilliams@wmmic.com

Biography:

1. What is your role at WMMIC?

Liability Claim Representative

2. How long have you been in your position?

I started at WMMIC in September 2024.

3. Can you share a bit about your career path?

I have experience handling Workers’ Compensation claims, Auto Liability for Standard and Non-Standard private insurance, Medical Pay, PIP, and Bodily Injury Claims. I am a Nationally Certified Medical Coder and have worked as a records clerk for several Police Departments.

4. What skills do you bring to the team?

I possess excellent communication skills, extensive claim handling and negotiation background, and in-depth.

5. What are your main responsibilities in your job?

Evaluate liability claims and determine appropriate coverages/liability. Set/manage reserves throughout each claim and assign/collaborate with defense/claimant attorneys as needed.

6. What is your main area of expertise?

Bodily Injury Claims Adjuster, supported by my Medical Coding Degree.

Pa Vang
Liability Claim Representative

Direct: 608-729-5682
Cell: 608-910-2375
Fax: 608-852-8647
Email: pvang@wmmic.com

Biography:

1. What is your role at WMMIC?

Liability Claim Representative

2. How long have you been in your position?

I started at WMMIC in October 2024.

3. Can you share a bit about your career path?

I began in customer service in the insurance industry for 5 years, then went into Compliance for affordable housing for another 4 years. Finally, I came back to insurance as an adjuster and have been doing claims for 2 years.

4. What skills do you bring to the team?

Rules & regulations, auto-adjusting, claim processing, & claim resolution

5. What are your main responsibilities in your job?

Analyze, investigate, and process claims by obtaining relevant facts to determine coverage, establish and maintain claims files, enter and monitor proper claim reserve, document file activities timely, and communicate the status of claims with members and management

6. What is your main area of expertise?

Property damage

Workers' Comp Claims Workers’ Compensation Team

Kimberly Weihert, AIC
WC Team Lead

Direct: 608-268-3002
Cell: 608-733-1353
Fax: 608-852-8647

Email: kweihert@wmmic.com

Biography:

1. What is your role at WMMIC?

WC Team Lead

2. How long have you been in your position?

I joined WMMIC in February 2004 as a Claims Assistant to the Workers’ Compensation Department, however, I have been in the insurance industry for 30 years and have continued to advance my career. I earned my Associate in Claims (AIC) accreditation in 2014. I love learning, teaching and mentoring. During my career I have learned to enjoy the ride while making sure to stop and smell the roses along the way.

3. Can you share a bit about your career path?

As stated above, I have been in the industry for the past 30 years. I have done liability, property insurance, and now WC. I have made a career here out of WC and assisted in liability where I could when needed.

4. What skills do you bring to the team?

WC knowledge

5. What are your main responsibilities in your job?

Daily, I focus on handling workers’ compensation claims and internal best practices. I keep my team updated with new case law and work with the Department of Workforce Development. I am the CMS subject matter expert for WMMIC. I monitor CMS filings and continue to maintain knowledge of ICD-10 codes. I can work independently along with maintaining unity with our Work Comp Team. I work effectively and professionally with both internal and external customers. I effectively problem-solve, communicate, and handle work timely, along with maintaining confidential and sensitive information. I excel at multi-tasking, time management, and organization. I also have knowledge and experience with various computer software effectively.

6. What is your main area of expertise?

WC

Keegan Petsel
WC Claim Representative

Direct: 608-246-3337
Cell: 608-733-1840
Fax: 608-852-8647
Email: kpetsel@wmmic.com

Biography:

1. What is your role at WMMIC?

Workers’ Compensation representative

2. How long have you been in your position?

I started with WMMIC in March 2017.

3. Can you share a bit about your career path?

I began at WMMIC after completing Madison College. This was my first insurance job, and I was introduced to the industry in college. I completed my risk management and insurance designation.

4. What skills do you bring to the team?

Professional customer service, knowledge of claims handling, restitution/subrogation recovery, and litigation of workers’ compensation appeals.

5. What are your main responsibilities in your job?

Handle workers’ compensation claims, provide professional and timely customer service to claimants, provide excellent service to our members, and monitor treatment plans for each claimant

6. What is your main area of expertise?

Workers’ compensation claims handling, restitution/subrogation recovery on claims, litigation management of appealed claims.

Hope Hansen
WC Claim Representative

Direct: 608-245-6891
Cell: 608-733-0278
Fax: 608-852-8647
Email: hhansen@wmmic.com

Biography:

1. What is your role at WMMIC?

Workers Compensation Claims Representative

2. How long have you been in your position?

I started at WMMIC in March of 2017. I have served in the role of workers’ compensation claims representative since September 2021.

3. Can you share a bit about your career path?

I graduated in 2011 with a master’s degree in business administration. I had hoped to work in the medical field until I injured myself as a nursing assistant. Then, I found a love for administrative work and landed at WMMIC after countless jobs in the factory world as a project engineer.

WMMIC eventually had a workers’ compensation position open, and I have been a work comp claims adjuster since, where I get to do a version of administrative tasks and semi-be in the medical world, and every day is a different adventure.

4. What skills do you bring to the team?

Adaptability, Team player/collaborator, Problem Solving/Analytical skills, continue learning/knowledge of WC

5. What are your main responsibilities in your job?

Claim Management, documentation review, determining WC coverage under state statutes, communication with injured workers/members, etc.

5. What is your main area of expertise?

WC

Tasha McKenzie
WC Claim Representative

Direct: 608-245-6892
Cell: 608-893-3602
Fax: 608-852-8647
Email: tmckenzie@wmmic.com

Biography:

1. What is your role at WMMIC?

Worker’s Compensation Claims Representative

2. How long have you been in your position?

January 2, 2024

3. Can you share a bit about your career path?

I worked for SSM Health in various administrative roles for over 20 years and have a Master of Science from Edgewood College.

4. What skills do you bring to the team?

I am good at communication, collaboration, analysis, and problem-solving.

5. What are your main responsibilities in your job?

Investigation, customer service, claims handling, problem solving, attention to detail,

6. What is your main area of expertise?

I possess good interpersonal skills and am innovative. I love to conduct research.

Member Support Service Team

Rick Balistrieri
Protective Service Specialist

Direct: 608-242-7215
Cell: 608-861-0135
Fax: 608-852-8647
Email: rbalistrieri@wmmic.com

Biography:

1. What is your role at WMMIC?

My primary role at WMMIC is to serve and support law enforcement and Fire/EMS; however, I also provide specialized loss control services and training to all of our member departments and divisions.

2. What got you interested in risk management?

Protective services experience more workers’ compensation claims (frequency and severity) than any other discipline. Protective services, specifically law enforcement, also generate the most costly liability claims. I enjoy conducting claims analysis and providing risk/loss mitigation guidance based upon my experience and identified trends.

3. How long have you been in your position?

Overall, I have been in my private sector protective service role for 11.5 years; 1.5 years with WMMIC.

4. Can you share a bit about your career path?

I proudly served as a law enforcement officer and trainer for over 34 years having retired at the rank of deputy chief. My passion to serve continues to be driven by the opportunity to positively impact protective service safety, training, and to advance risk mitigation.

5. What skills do you bring to the team?

My skills include dedication of service to our membership and being cognizant of the immense responsibility attached to being a consultant. I have been an educator and trainer for over 40 years.

4. What are your main responsibilities in your job?

The main responsibilities of my job include providing guidance and support, conducting risk assessments, auditing claims for analysis (both workers compensation and liability), and presenting risk mitigation recommendations.

5. What is your main area of expertise?

My main area of expertise is training in protective service leadership, mentoring, ethics, succession planning, mental health assistance, and communication. I am also OSHA/DSPS trained, which adds another dimension to my credibility when offering loss control recommendations.

Katie Clothier
Membership Administrator

Direct: 608-721-7197
Cell: 608-590-7880
Fax: 608-852-8647
Email: kclothier@wmmic.com

Biography:

1. What is your role at WMMIC?

My role at WMMIC is the Membership Administrator.

2. What got you interested in risk management?

I see the effects it has on municipalities and the benefits of properly training your employees, and my position really focuses on mitigating.

3. How long have you been in your position?

Almost 2 years

4. Can you share a bit about your career path?

My undergraduate degree is in marketing. I have worked in educational, non-profit, and for-profit organizations. I obtained my MBA in 2019 with a focus on organizational development and training. After speaking to Pallin about the position, I was extremely excited to be able to utilize all of my skills. I have really enjoyed this newly created position and am looking forward to continue to serve our members.

5. What skills do you bring to the team?

Interpersonal communications, team building, organizational development, training, and coordinating

4. What are your main responsibilities in your job?

My main responsibilities in my position are to assist our members in training and coordination, manage the partnership program, create marketing collateral, execute work plan meetings, and assist with event planning.

5. What is your main area of expertise?

My main expertise is training, development, and marketing.

Nicole Nysse
Business Service Administrator

Direct: 608-852-8645
Fax: 608-852-8647
Email: nnysse@wmmic.com

Biography:

1. What is your role at WMMIC?

Business System Administrator

2. How long have you been in your position?

June 2023, but with WMMIC for 18 years.

3. Can you share a bit about your career path?

Started at WMMIC as the Office Assistant in 2006. Became Claims Assistant in January 2008. Work Comp Claims Analyst in January 2022. Business System Administrator since June 2023

4. What skills do you bring to the team? Knowledge of our claims system

4. What are your main responsibilities in your job?

Assist staff, issue checks for providers, claimants and vendors, set work Work Comp claims, IT for Origami Claims system

5. What is your main area of expertise?

Origami Claims System