Risk Management Department

The New Mexico County Insurance Authority (NMCIA) was formed in 1986 as a branch of service of the New Mexico Association of Counties (NMAC) to provide insurance coverage for county members. Three insurance pools were then organized in 1986, 1988, and 1995. A county must be a member of NMAC in order to become a pool member. NMCIA is comprised of three insurance pools: Workers’ Compensation, Multi-Line, and Law Enforcement.

Workers’ Compensation Pool

The Workers’ Compensation Pool began operations July 1, 1987 with 22 original member counties. This pool provides medical and lost-time coverage for all county member employees, including temporary employees. The Workers’ Compensation Pool does not provide coverage for contract employees or volunteers. Currently, this pool provides coverage for 29 member counties.

The Workers’ Compensation Pool operates under a Joint Powers Agreement. The Pool follows bylaws that permit the members to more efficiently use their powers and resources by cooperating on a basis that will be of mutual advantage through the creation and operation of a workers’ compensation pool. The bylaws allow the pool to secure those workers’ compensation insurance and self-insurance benefits, services, and protections for members and their employees, and related risk management services.

Each county member has one voting representative in the Workers’ Compensation Pool, which meets annually in June at the NMAC Annual Conference. The members elect a Board of Directors, comprised of eight members, that meets every other month to conduct oversight responsibilities. The Board of Directors serves two-year overlapping terms and can be an elected or appointed officer or employee of a member county.

Multi-Line Pool

The Multi-Line Pool began operations January 1, 1989 with 22 original member counties. This pool provides property and liability insurance coverage for buildings and contents, automobiles, personal injury, general liability, host and liquor liability, public official’s errors and omissions, criminal coverage including money and securities, and employee fidelity. Currently, this pool provides coverage for 28 member counties.

The Multi-Line Pool operates under a Joint Powers Agreement. The Pool follows bylaws that provide a Multi-Line fund for property and casualty coverages as set forth in the Certificate of Participation and to assist members in controlling costs by providing specialized governmental risk management services and systems. The Pool uses member contributions to defend and indemnify any member against stated liability or loss to the limit of the financial resources of the risk management fund.

Each county member has one voting representative in the Multi-Line Pool, which meets annually in January at the NMAC Mid-Winter Conference. The members elect a Board of Directors, comprised of eight members, that meets every other month to conduct oversight responsibilities. The Board of Directors serves two-year overlapping terms and can be an elected or appointed officer or employee of a member.

Law Enforcement Pool

The Law Enforcement Pool began operations as a liability program August 1, 1995 with 19 original member counties. This pool provides coverage for law enforcement activities, which includes sheriff departments, detention centers, and possibly county dispatch centers. Currently, this pool provides coverage for 28 member counties, which includes 22 adult detention centers and eight juvenile detention centers.

The Multi-Line Pool Board created the Law Enforcement and Detention Advisory Committee (LEDAC) to advise on law enforcement and detention center issues. LEDAC consists of four sheriffs and four detention administrators. LEDAC serves as an advisory committee only and makes recommendations to the Multi-Line Pool Board for approval. This advisory committee reviews policies and procedures of county operations, oversees the Pool’s law enforcement and detention training schedule, and reviews the losses of the Law Enforcement and Detention Liability Programs. The members of this committee are appointed and approved by the Multi-Line Pool Board.

Insurance Pools’ Mission Statement

The NMCIA Pool Boards’ Mission Statement is to assist and guide member counties by providing sound risk management services at fair and reasonable rates.

Click Here for NMCIA Staff Bios

NMAC/NMCIA Contacts

Steve Kopelman, Risk Management Director

Becky Tafoya, Assistant Risk Management Director

Susan Mayes, Risk Management Admin. Asst.

Jeremy Munoz, Risk Management Clerk

Workers’ Compensation Claims

Theresa Griego, WC Claims Manager

Thomas Bredenberg, Sr. WC Claims Examiner

Clea Lewis, WC Claims Examiner

Steve Chappell, WC Claims Examiner

Teresa Petrovic, WC Specialist

Cerease Aragon, WC Clerk

Multi-Line (& Law Enforcement) Claims

Robin Martinez, ML Claims Manager

Diane Blackburn, ML Sr. Claims Examiner

Randy Chavez, ML Claims Examiner

Jennifer Ortiz, ML Claims Examiner

Kerry Kent, ML Claims Examiner

Darlene Salazar, ML Claims Representative

Insurance Pools Past Chairs

Workers’ Compensation Pool

2006-2008 Tammie L. Gerrard Sandoval County

2005-2006 Lucky Briggs Eddy County

1999-2005 David Baca Bernalillo County

1994-1999 Darrel Bostwick Curry County

1993-1994 Lee Goodpasture Chaves County

1991-1993 Idell Savisky Lea County

1990-1991 Patricia Cassidy Bernalillo County

1988-1990 Joe Chambers Otero County

1987-1988 Orlando Vigil Bernalillo County

Multi-Line Pool

2007-2008 Dan Mayfield Bernalillo County

2006-2007 LeRoy H. Garcia San Miguel County

2004-2006 Dan Mayfield Bernalillo County

1999-2004 Ron Lethgo Chaves County

1996-1999 Ken Miyagishima Doña Ana County

1992-1996 Bud Carter Union County

1991-1992 Fred McDonald Chaves County

1989-1991 J. W. Pepper Union County

1989-1989 Larry Lethgo Chaves County

1989-1989 Joe Chambers Otero County

1988-1989 Orlando Vigil Bernalillo County