Meet the WorkConnections staff
Management
G. Paul Moggach | Director
Paul Moggach has been director of Risk Management at the University of Michigan since 1989. His employment at the university began in 1979. He worked in the capacity of supervisor of Workers' Compensation and then as assistant risk manager. Prior to that, the Hartford Insurance Group employed him as manager of the Ann Arbor claims office. Paul received a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Michigan University.
His current responsibilities include the direction of the functional operation of the Risk Management Department and supervision of staff. This includes planning, implementing and monitoring programs in loss assessment, funding, loss prevention and claims control. He is also responsible for WorkConnections, the University's integrated disability management unit. Paul holds the position of vice president on the board of Veritas, the University's captive insurance company.
Kathleen M. Rychlinski | Assistant Director
Kate began her employment with the university as a claims representative and focused her attention on multi-line claim management and on the development of procedures for the expansion of the university's self-administered claims program. She was promoted to the position of assistant manager/claims in 1991 and assistant director in 2004. Kate's current responsibilities include the coordination of all necessary components of multi-line claim management. Oversight of the university's claim program includes implementation of necessary protocols and procedures, determination of coverage, litigation management, and monitoring claim trends for implementation of loss prevention mechanisms. In addition, Kate is responsible for assisting in administration of Risk Management Services, insurance renewals and other Risk Management functions.
Prior to her employment with the university, Kate worked for Alexsis, Inc., a third party claims administrator. Kate received a Business Administration degree with honors, from Henry Ford Community College. Kate has obtained certification as an emergency program manager through FEMA and is a certified Workers' Compensation professional through Michigan State University.
Kristopher Covietz | Finance Manager
Kris Covietz served as a senior business analyst in the university Treasurer's Office and Office of Financial Analysis providing analytical support to the university's treasurer, associate vice president for finance and the executive vice president and chief financial officer.
Kris' current responsibilities include managing and directing the financial, underwriting, actuarial and computer system aspects of the department. This includes identification and assessment of loss potential, determining projected losses and maintenance of required data.
Catherine Schultz, RN | Integrated Disability Manager
Cathy joined WorkConnections in 2008 and has been a registered nurse since 1975 with certifications in occupational health, case management, legal nursing, Workers' Compensation and acute cardiac life support. After a stint on the medical-surgical floor, she worked as an emergency room nurse in hospitals in Detroit and Ann Arbor for 14 years. Following that, she was employed by Pfizer Global Research and Development for close to 13 years as an occupational health nurse and a nurse case manager. During this time, Cathy worked in the occupational health clinic, handled all Workers' Compensation claims, administered disability claims, performed internal health and safety audits and was responsible for maintaining the OSHA log.
Dianne Pernak | Senior Claims Representative
Dianne began her career in 1981 as an adjuster for Corporate Service, Inc. where she was responsible for investigating claims, determining liability exposure, claim management, trial preparation and negotiating resolution of general liability Worker's Compensation and auto liability claims for several self-insured customers. In 1991, she came to the University of Michigan Risk Management Department where she assumed responsibility for claim management of claims in multiple property and casualty lines of coverage and Worker's Compensation.
Hospital team
Robert Trevino (Lead) | Senior Claims Representative
Bob worked for Risk Management for five years as a claims representative responsible for multi-line property and casualty claims including auto collision, auto liability, fidelity, general liability and property damage. After leaving for a position with Ford Motor Company, Bob has returned as a senior claims representative for WorkConnections. He is responsible for managing workers' compensation claims and non-occupational disability cases. Bob earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Baker College. Bob is a certified Workers' Compensation professional through Michigan State University.
Cheryl Keller | Claims Representative
Cheryl returned to the University of Michigan after an extended absence during which she participated in several community volunteer activities. Cheryl worked for the Risk Management Department for six years as a Workers' Compensation claims representative and is responsible for managing Workers' Compensation claims and non-occupational disability claims. Cheryl is a certified Workers' Compensation professional through Michigan State University.
Angela Nortley | Claims Representative
Angela joined the Risk Management Department in June 2005. Prior to joining the university, Angela worked for the Ford Motor Company as a claims administrator covering multiple plants for nine years. Prior to her work at Ford Motor Company, Angela worked for MG Investigations and was a safety supervisor at Henry Ford Village. Angela earned her bachelor's degree at Lake Superior State University, is a licensed EMT and is certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt. Angela is responsible for the management of workers' compensation and non-occupational disability claims. Angela is a certified Workers' Compensation professional through Michigan State University.
Pat Collopy, RN | Medical Case Manager
Pat has been a registered nurse since 1978 and received a bachelor's degree in nursing at Western Michigan University in 2000. Following her graduation Pat went on to complete the Teacher Education Program at Western Michigan University and the Case Management Certificate Program at Michigan State University. Pat is certified in case management and has worked in a variety of clinical settings. Past positions include staff nurse, physician extender, cardiac rehabilitation educator, hospital case manager and field case manager. Pat has clinical nursing experience in the areas of medical/surgical, critical care, pediatrics and cardiology.
Patricia Harkiewicz | Claims Representative Associate
Patty has worked for the university since 1999, and as a claim representative associate since 2005. Previous to working for the university she first worked for the Federal Reserve Bank as a currency burner and clerk, tracing forged endorsements. She then moved to Michigan Wisconsin Pipeline and assumed the responsibilities of an administrative assistant in the Human Resources Department. During a hiatus from full time employment, Patty volunteered as a church secretary and seamstress. She returned to work for a private health care provider as a transcriptionist for 13 years before joining the university.
Scott Temple | Claims Representative Associate
Scott graduated from Wayne State University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts. From there he began his career as a claim representative for Progressive Insurance Company where he managed auto insurance claims. Scott joined the WorkConnections team in January 2008 as a claims representative associate. He is responsible for Worker's Compensation claims and non-occupational disability cases.
Campus team
Denise Willmore (Lead) | Senior Claims Representative
Denise Willmore began her career with WorkConnections in August 2006 overseeing Workers' Compensation and non-occupational disability claims. Denise graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. She started in the insurance industry in 1991. She has over 14 years of claims experience working for Citizens Management Inc, Sedgwick Inc, and Accident Fund Company of America. Her focus was on Michigan Workers' Compensation claims; managing medical, lost time, and claims litigation. She has supervisory experience, along with the responsibility of documenting best-practice claim procedures for the department. Denise also trains new claim adjusters in claim procedures and claims management. Denise is a certified Workers' Compensation professional through Michigan State University.
David Bondy | Claims Representative
Dave began working as a claims representative at the University of Michigan in December 2005. Since coming to the university, he has continued to gain understanding of the policies and procedures used in the claim management process. Dave is currently working on the campus team and is the main contact for some of the departments, Campus Housing and the Dearborn Campus to name a few. His primary responsibilities include contact with employees and departments, determination of coverage after medical review and continued management of claims until closure. Prior to his employment with the university, Dave worked as a claims representative for Ford Motor Company, Daimler Chrysler and AIG. Dave received his bachelor's degree from Olivet College in December 1996. Dave is a certified Workers' Compensation professional through Michigan State University.
Diane Tryon | Senior Claims Representative
Diane has managed workers' compensation claims for over 21 years, 16 of which have been at the University of Michigan. Diane's responsibilities include management of litigated and non-litigated workers' compensation claims and non-occupational disability management. Diane earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Madonna College. Diane is a certified Workers' Compensation professional through Michigan State University.
Lynn Krzys, RN | Medical Case Manager
Lynn has been a registered nurse since 1980, having received her nursing degree from Michigan State University with additional graduate work in occupational health nursing from the University of Michigan. She is certified in occupational health nursing and case management and has experience in clinical nursing in medical/surgical and obstetrics. Before joining WorkConnection Lynn's work included roles as hospital nursing supervisor, hospital employee health coordinator, hospital infection control coordinator, Pilkington occupational plant nurse and MWorks occupational health clinic disability manager.
Saundra Bradley | Claims Representative Associate
Saundra is a licensed claims adjuster with the states of Michigan and South Carolina, and began working as a claims representative associate at the University of Michigan in 2008. Prior to employment with the university, Saundra worked as a benefits analyst for General Motors Pension Administration. Most recently she was a Workers' Compensation claims adjuster with Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, handling claims for their third party administrator Companion Property and Casualty program. Saundra attended Oakland University majoring in Human Resource Development.
Nicole Thomas | Claims Representative Associate
Nicole joined WorkConnections in September 2005 as a claims representative associate. Nicole graduated from Washtenaw Community College in 2001 with an associate degree and continued on to Eastern Michigan University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. Prior to joining the WorkConnections team, Nicole worked as a claims processor at Ann Arbor Benefit Administrators.