Highlights of the 2024 Fall ACWA JPIA Membership Summit
The 2024 ACWA JPIA Membership Summit was held on December 2-3 at the J.W. Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA. This year’s summit marked the tenth anniversary of the JPIA Commitment to Excellence (C2E) Program, celebrating JPIA’s ongoing dedication to supporting its members and driving shared industry goals with water professionals across California. Throughout the two-day summit, attendees engaged in networking and educational sessions tackling the evolving challenges facing the California water industry and risk pools.
After a welcome by ACWA JPIA Board President Melody McDonald, the California Water Insurance Fund (CWIF) committee meeting featured PFM Asset Management who provided a Market & Investment Program Update. Next, ACWA JPIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Adrienne Beatty presented the Measures That Matter initiative showcasing new value statements written collaboratively by the Executive Team, JPIA management, and input from member agencies, highlighting renewed ACWA JPIA priorities such as rate stability, equitable pricing, and enhanced member support.
The new format of interactive educational programming shifted slightly this fall to feature the ACWA JPIA management team and member experiences. The first session was “Ask JPIA Anything,” where members had the chance to interact with JPIA managers on topics like coverage, claims processes, and employee benefits using the new Meeting Pulse platform for audience Q&A. This session featured key ACWA JPIA staff and was moderated by Adrienne Beatty, CEO. Panelists included:
- Jennifer Jobe, Director of Pooled Programs
- Erin Bowles, Workers’ Compensation Claims Manager
- Adam Dedmon, Employee Benefits Manager
- Tony Waterford, HR Manager
- Kayla Villa, Litigation Manager
- Sarah Crawford, Member Education Manager
- Robin Flint, Risk Control Manager
Monday’s activities also included a live recording of the JPIA FIVE podcast during a networking lunch, hosted by ACWA JPIA’s General Counsel Robert Greenfield interviewing Elisa Sabatini, the recently hired ACWA JPIA Director of Member Outreach. The podcast episode, which will be released on podcast streaming platforms next month, shared insights on JPIA’s continued efforts to connect with and serve its members.
Tuesday’s programming kicked off with a packed room for the “Anatomy of a Claim” educational session, moderated by Robert Greenfield. ACWA JPIA Managers and panelists Kayla Villa, Robin Flint, and Dan Steele walked attendees through the entire claims process, offering detailed insights on roles, responsibilities, and strategies for effective claims management.
In the “Cyber Chronicles” educational session, moderated by Jennifer Jobe, panelists Tom Coleman, General Manager at Rowland Water District; Alex Anderson, IT Manager at Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District; and Dan Steele, Finance Manager at ACWA JPIA shared real-world cyber security experiences and offered practical advice on fortifying organizations against digital threats.
The membership summit also featured the Vote for the Goat campaign, an engaging initiative where attendees voted to name JPIA’s new mascot. Live voting was available both at the Summit and during the adjacent ACWA Conference at JPIA’s expo hall booth, adding a fun, interactive element. The winning name of the goat mascot will be announced in 2025.
The summit concluded with a reception for past and future graduates of JPIA’s Leadership Essentials for the Water Industry Program, inspiring and connecting the next generation of water leaders.
Overall, the 2024 ACWA JPIA Membership Summit underscored the organization’s ongoing commitment to providing exceptional service, rate stability, and comprehensive coverage for its members. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all attendees for their participation and to all ACWA JPIA staff for their tireless efforts to make this summit a meaningful and impactful event.
For a Photo Album of the event, visit: https://www.acwajpia.com/2024-fall-membership-summit-photo-album/
For questions about the bi-annual Membership Summit or future events, please contact: communications@acwajpia.com