UP CLOSE: Terri Rhodes
Reprints
SAN FRANCISCO-BASED CEO
Disability Management Employer Coalition
PREVIOUS POSITION: San Francisco-based executive director for the DMEC
LOOKING FORWARD TO: Leading DMEC through (the) next phase of growth and building our brand awareness. We have created a new logo and will roll out a new website at the beginning of 2016.
GOALS FOR NEW POSITION: Increase knowledge of DMEC services and increase membership and conference attendance. I want DMEC to be the go-to organization for absence and disability management professionals.
CHALLENGES FACING INDUSTRY: This industry continues to struggle with organizational silos that prevent integration of short-term/long term disability, Family Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act and workers compensation. There is still a lot of fear around this, and it is sad because integration is good for business and good for the employee.
INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: The outlook is very positive. With increasing regulations ... and paid sick leave laws, absences and disability professionals have job security, which means education and resources are needed. We can provide these.
FIRST INDUSTRY JOB: Managing workers compensation claims.
WHAT SURPRISED ME: The ever-changing landscape of case law and legislation in managing workers compensation.
ADVICE: Stay nimble; do not fear change.
OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY, A DREAM JOB: Working with animals at a zoo or observation station.
HOBBIES: Travel, reading and volunteering.
THING MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME: I am a worrier.
WHEN I RETIRE: I will still work.
FAVORITE MEAL: Now that is a hard question. I love mostly all foods.
FAVORITE BOOK: “The Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follett.
