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Insurance Authority Loss Prevention Staff

The Insurance Authority Loss Prevention staff consists of five highly qualified professionals with over 86 years of diverse experience in administration, safety, loss prevention, risk control, education, employee law, inmate civil rights, and over 5,000 hours of advanced training in safety, loss prevention, and related subjects.  Staff has expertise in proactive risk control programs, recognized risk management practices, strategic planning, program development, and training and curriculum development.  Moreover, staff members have specific expertise in high-risk governmental operations, e.g. detention, law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, employment law, and public works.

Loss Prevention staff is comprised of the following individuals:

Bruce Swingle, Loss Prevention Manager, has 23 years’ of progressive leadership in occupational safety and health, loss prevention, risk management, and law enforcement, which is enhanced by 18 years’ of diverse administrative experience.  Mr. Swingle has specific loss prevention expertise in administration, detention, fire and emergency services, law enforcement, and public works operations.  Mr. Swingle graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy; his loss prevention programs are highly regarded in the public safety arena.  He has over 3,000 hours of advanced loss prevention and law enforcement training, and is recognized by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety as a “professional lecturer.”

James Chavez, Loss Prevention Specialist, is a new addition to NMCIA.  Mr. Chavez has 15 years’ of experience in loss control, loss prevention, and risk management.  Mr. Chavez’s employment history includes loss prevention with San Miguel County and the City of Las Vegas.  Mr. Chavez has substantial experience in government particularly county operations and exposures. 

Steve Chappell, Workers’ Compensation Adjuster, has been employed with the Insurance Authority for 6 years.  Mr. Chappell has over 16 years’ experience in loss prevention, workers’ compensation, and education.  Mr. Chappell has taught hundreds of loss prevention courses throughout New Mexico.  Mr. Chappell is highly regarded for his dynamic, personable and informative presentations.  He has obtained a Safety and Health Specialist Certification and is a noted author.

Grace Philips, Loss Prevention Attorney, joined the NMCIA in April 2006.  In her litigation practice with Montgomery & Andrews P.A. and for the New Mexico Risk Management Division Legal Bureau, Ms. Philips appeared before the state, federal and appellate courts of New Mexico as well as administrative bodies.  She has substantial experience advising and consulting with public and private sector clients on labor and employment issues, including:  Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, the New Mexico Human Rights Act, and state wage and hour laws.  As an Assistant County Attorney, Ms. Philips developed expertise in detention law and inmate civil rights matters.  She has degrees from New York University and City University of New York and is admitted to the New Mexico State Bar, Federal District Court and 10^th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Manuel D. Romero, Loss Prevention Specialist, has over 26 years’ experience in the criminal justice field.  Mr. Romero has substantial hands on experience as a correctional administrator and prison auditor.  Mr. Romero has audited and inspected numerous prisons, jails (both adult and juvenile), and some secure hospitals during his tenure in the criminal justice field.  Mr. Romero commenced his career as a correctional officer and progressed to the rank of Deputy Secretary of Corrections with the New Mexico Department of Corrections.  Mr. Romero serves as an expert/consultant to the United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, inspecting jails and prisons throughout the United States.  He has also helped the United States Marshal’s Service in conducting operational assessments of correctional facilities.  Mr. Romero has served as a deputy court monitor for the United States District Court of Puerto Rico and was appointed by the United States District Court of New Mexico as an Operations Auditor.  Mr. Romero is considered to be a national expert in jail and prison operations and has testified on numerous occasions in prison and detention matters throughout the United States.  Mr. Romero has an Associate’s Degree in Correctional Studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree, both from the University of New Mexico. 

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