Author Archives: Lucas Kidwell

The following KEMI employees recently received appointments to serve on committees for the American Association of State Compensation Insurance Funds (AASCIF). Their terms, beginning in January, will run through 2026.

AASCIF is an association of workers’ compensation insurance companies from 26 different states plus eight workers’ compensation boards in Canada.

KEMI Announces Destiny Award Winners for 2025

Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI) recognizes 27 Kentucky organizations for their commitment to workplace safety by presenting each of them with the 2025 KEMI Destiny Award.

The Destiny Awards are presented annually by KEMI to policyholders best exemplifying KEMI’s motto, “Control your own destiny.” The awards symbolize what can be accomplished when organizations work together to improve workplace safety. Policyholders earning the KEMI Destiny Award effectively demonstrate to KEMI their ability to manage a formal safety program, provide on-site training and regular safety meetings for employees, and display an ongoing commitment to safety from all levels throughout their organizations.

The following policyholders were selected after meeting a stringent set of criteria set forth by KEMI:

Adair County Board of Education
Allison Abrasives Incorporated
Bath County Schools
Breathitt County Schools
Central Seal Company
Clark Material Handling Company
Corbin Independent Schools
Davis & Plomin Mechanical
Eastern Kentucky University
Edmonson County Board of Education
Frankfort Plant Board
Glenwood Electric Inc.
Harrison County Board of Education
Hinkle Holding Company LLC
Houston Johnson Inc
Industrial Field Maintenance
Jackson Propane Plus
Keeneland Association
Mercer County Schools
Mt Washington Fire & EMS
Murray State University
Northern Kentucky Water District
Piccola Manufacturing Company
Purofirst Disaster Service
Rockcastle Board of Education
Russell County Hospital
The Corken Steel Products Company

“Destiny Award winners comprise an elite group of organizations demonstrating ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of Kentucky’s workforce by emphasizing safety every day,” remarked Jon Stewart, President and CEO of KEMI. “We congratulate 20 of these safety-focused organizations on receiving the Destiny Award multiple years, and we applaud the safety programs of our first-time winners that resulted in a safe workforce and Destiny Award recognition.”

KEMI offers the public free safety resources through worksafeky.com, a website anyone can access. It has and array of safety articles, best practices and helpful links.

The dividend follows a $19.1 million dividend paid in 2024

Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI), Kentucky’s leading workers’ compensation insurance provider, is issuing a dividend of $19.3 million to eligible policyholders. The dividend results from the proactive management of claims by KEMI and its policyholders.

Over 12,000 policyholders will receive a 20% dividend payment from KEMI for the 2022 policy year. Dividend checks will be distributed throughout August.

Between 2010 and 2025, KEMI issued dividend payments to policyholders totaling $123 million.

Media Contact:
Ryan Worthen
KEMI Communications
rworthen@kemi.com
859-425-7800

Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI) announces the induction of Robert (Bob) L. Swisher into the Class of 2025 Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Hall of Fame.

Bob Swisher, one of five inductees, was recognized in April during the Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Hall of Fame Banquet, which honored those who have made significant contributions to the Kentucky workers’ compensation system throughout their distinguished careers.

Swisher began his law career in 1979 after graduating from the University of Kentucky College of Law.  With over 10 years in general practice, he joined Geralds, Moloney and Jones concentrating on civil litigation, workers’ compensation, and probate law before joining the workers’ compensation defense firm Jones, Dietz and Swisher in 2007.

On January 1, 2010, Swisher was appointed as an administrative law judge (ALJ) in the Kentucky Department of Workers’ Claims (DWC) by Governor Steve Beshear. In 2013, he was one of two ALJs selected to participate in the DWC’s new medical dispute resolution program, and in 2014, he was named chief administrative law judge.

Swisher was appointed commissioner of the Kentucky DWC by Governor Matt Bevin in 2017. During his tenure as commissioner, Swisher led the agency through full implementation of the Litigation Management System, the online filing and case management system created by former Commissioner Dwight T. Lovan. Responding to legislative mandates in House Bill 2 (2018), Swisher promulgated numerous regulations, including the adoption of workers’ compensation medical treatment guidelines and a pharmacy formulary, creation of the process by which injured workers may apply for a continuation of medical benefits past 780 weeks, and the creation of an online portal through which coal miners awarded retraining incentive benefits locate and select an institution to provide their retraining.

In 2021, Swisher joined KEMI as director of Claims-Legal. In this capacity, he oversees KEMI’s in-house legal manager, the Special Investigations Unit, the Medical Bill audit unit, and KEMI’s Claims business analyst.

Swisher is a member of the Southern Association of Workers’ Compensation Administrators (Adjudication Committee), was selected as a Fellow in the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers (2018) and was a finalist for the 2019 Comp Laude Award as a national industry leader.

“This recognition of Bob’s contributions to the workers’ compensation industry is well-deserved,” stated KEMI President & CEO Jon Stewart. “Employers and workers throughout the commonwealth continue to benefit from Bob’s vast knowledge of workers’ comp and unwavering integrity that guides each decision.” Stewart continued, “But beyond his career accomplishments, Bob is a man of character and one of the finest individuals you could ever meet.”

Gallagher’s Best-in-Class Benchmarking Analysis Highlights U.S. Organizations Excelling in Optimizing Employee and Organizational Wellbeing

KEMI has been recognized as a Best-in-Class Employer in Gallagher’s 2024 U.S. Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey. This recognition underscores KEMI’s excellence in implementing effective strategies for managing people, benefits and HR programs. KEMI was selected for its comprehensive approach to strategically investing in benefits, compensation and the employee experience — all aimed at supporting the health, financial confidence and career growth of its employees while maintaining a sustainable cost structure.

Gallagher’s Best-in-Class Employer designation helps current and prospective employees understand and appreciate an organization’s workplace culture and people strategy, which are crucial differentiators in today’s competitive labor market.

“KEMI is proud to once again be recognized as a Best-in-Class Employer,” said Jon Stewart, President & CEO of KEMI. “This distinction reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering an environment where employees feel valued and supported. By prioritizing innovative programs and listening to employee feedback, we aim to build not just a workplace, but a community that empowers our team to excel and deliver exceptional service to our customers.”

As a U.S. Best-in-Class Employer, KEMI earned points based on its performance in several key areas:

• Planning horizons for the benefits and compensation strategies
• Extent of the wellbeing strategy
• Turnover rate for full-time equivalents (FTEs)
• Completion of a workforce engagement survey
• Use of an HR technology strategy and its level of sophistication
• Difference in healthcare costs over the prior year

“KEMI recognizes the crucial link between people’s wellbeing and organizational success,” said William F. Ziebell, CEO of Gallagher’s Benefits & HR Consulting Division. “When employees enjoy their work, appreciate their benefits and feel connected, the organization thrives — boosting positivity, retention, performance and overall prosperity. That proactive people strategy helps make KEMI a Best-in-Class Employer.”

About the Best-in-Class Benchmarking Analysis

Gallagher’s U.S. Best-in-Class Benchmarking Analysis profiles statistically significant attributes of top-performing midsize (100-999 FTEs) and large employers (1,000 or more FTEs). Data from Gallagher’s 2024 U.S. Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey was interpreted to identify participants that excel in optimizing employee and organizational wellbeing.

About Gallagher

Gallagher (NYSE:AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Gallagher provides these services in approximately 130 countries around the world through its owned operations and a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Media Contact:
Ryan Worthen
KEMI Communications
rworthen@kemi.com
859-425-7800

Posted January 6, 2025

KEMI announces Destiny Award winners for 2024

Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI) recognizes 27 Kentucky organizations for their commitment to workplace safety by presenting each of them with the 2024 KEMI Destiny Award.

The Destiny Awards are presented annually by KEMI to policyholders best exemplifying KEMI’s motto, “Control your own destiny.” The awards symbolize what can be accomplished when organizations work together to improve workplace safety. Policyholders earning the KEMI Destiny Award effectively demonstrate to KEMI their ability to manage a formal safety program, provide on-site training and regular safety meetings for employees, and display an ongoing commitment to safety from all levels throughout their organizations.

The following policyholders were selected after meeting a stringent set of criteria set forth by KEMI:

• Adair County Schools
• Big Rivers Electric Corporation
• Breathitt County Schools
• Butler County Schools
• Cardinal Industrial Insulation Company Inc
• Central Seal
• Churchill McGee, LLC
• Clark Material Handling Company
• Corbin Independent Schools
• Corken Steel
• Davis and Plomin Mechanical, Inc.
• Eastern Kentucky University
• Edmonson County Board of Education
• Harrison County Public Schools
• Hinkle Construction Services & Hinkle Environmental Services
• Houston Johnson Inc
• Industrial Field Maintenance
• Keeneland Association
• Lewis County Board of Education
• Mercer County Schools
• Northern Kentucky Water District
• Owensboro Municipal Utilities
• Russell County Hospital
• Treyton Oak Towers
• Trigg County Public Schools
• Walton Fire Protection District
• Warren County Schools

“Earning the KEMI Destiny Award requires focus, teamwork, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in safety,” stated Jon Stewart, president and CEO of KEMI. “This outstanding group of policyholders understands the importance of a steadfast commitment to ensuring their employees make it home safely at the end of each workday, and we are honored to present each organization with this prestigious award.”