Convention 2006 Workshops

Sunday, May 21 3:35 to 4:25 p.m.

JAMES L. PALMER, II

CANDIDATES FORUM FOCUS GROUP
JAMES L. PALMER, II
WPPA Assistant Executive Director &
Director of Governmental Affairs

On Sunday, May 21, 2006, we will host two one-hour candidate forums for those individuals running for governor and attorney general, all of whom have been invited. Following the two forums, Mr. Palmer will conduct a focus group open to all WPPA members. In the focus group, attendees will be asked about their impressions of the candidates. The forums and focus group will play a predominant role in the WPPA’s political action committee’s endorsement determinations. We encourage you to participate in what should be an exciting and informative opportunity for the WPPA membership. (See Capitol Commentary, page 6.)

Jim Palmer maintains the WPPA's governmental affairs and political action programs. In addition to formulating political strategies and legislative proposals, frequently meeting with elected officials, and testifying before legislative committees, Palmer's responsibilities include advising state and local political action committees, tracking legislation potentially affecting the WPPA membership, and using a variety of media outlets to communicate the WPPA's positions on matters of public policy. Palmer also engages individuals and organizations for the purpose of forming coalitions to advance the WPPA's legislative agenda.

In addition, Palmer is a member of the Legislative Committee for the National Association of Police Organizations. NAPO is a coalition of police unions and associations from across the United States that serves to advance the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. NAPO represents more than 2,000 police unions and associations, 236,000 sworn law enforcement officers, 11,000 retired officers and more than 100,000 citizens who share a common dedication to fair and effective crime control and law enforcement.

Since joining the WPPA in March of 2003, Palmer has worked with the Board of Directors to establish a public affairs platform, a legislative scoring methodology, and other internal policies and procedures to improve the WPPA's legislative effectiveness. Prior to 2003, Palmer worked for an Indiana law firm and primarily practiced corporate transactional law, which included incorporations, mergers and acquisitions, import law and product safety compliance, as well as specialized employment contracts. During that time, his representation included an investor-owned subsidiary of a national water utility, a regional hospital system, a minor league professional basketball team, and various units of local government.

Palmer received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and a law degree from the Valparaiso University School of Law, where he was an editor of the law review. In addition to being a licensed Wisconsin lobbyist, Palmer is admitted to practice law before all state and federal courts in Wisconsin and Indiana. Palmer is an active member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Wisconsin, and the Association of Wisconsin Lobbyists.

DAVE ZAHLLER

FUNDING POST-EMPLOYMENT HEALTH CARE
DAVE ZAHLLER
Regional Vice President
The Security Benefit Group of Companies

Mr. Zahller will concentrate on alternatives to providing post-employment health care, and will present the benefits that a VEBA can provide. The workshop will address current trends in employer-provided post employment health care; the impact on public sector employers and employees; new legislation and guidelines; and alternatives to fund health care, such as VEBA, HSA, etc.

Mr. Zahller has focused on public sector retirement plans business since 1988. He has been involved in all aspects of public sector retirement plans from enrollments: plan acquisitions, supervising registered representative, and relationship management. He has managed the servicing staff for over seven hundred 457 and 401(a) plans with total assets in excess of $380M.

Mr. Zahller has presented numerous workshops and authored articles on many aspects of public sector retirement planning and education.

He graduated from the University of Nebraska with a BS in Resource Management and an MS from George Williams College in Downers Grove, Illinois.

GEORGE P. CROAL

THE ESSENTIALS OF FINANCIAL PLANNING
GEORGE P. CROAL
Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor
Morgan Stanley

Mr. Croal will cover the steps necessary to insure retirement assets, integrating investments and taxes, using free estate planning methods to protect assets, and assessing insurance needs.

Mr. Croal received his undergraduate degree from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, and did graduate work in history and law at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Mr. Croal retired as a detective from the Madison Police Department after a 26-year career and is now a financial consultant with Morgan Stanley.

MICHAEL J. SPIERER, Ph.D.

THE MANAGEMENT OF STRESS IN POLICING AND RELATED OCCUPATIONS
MICHAEL J. SPIERER, Ph.D.
Psychiatric Services, S.C.

Dr. Spierer is a clinical psychologist in private practice at Psychiatric Services, S.C. in Madison. He has worked in the community mental health system, has been a consultant to police and fire departments, and has conducted more than 3000 criminal and civil evaluations for courts and for attorneys over the past thirty years. A Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin Medical School and Senior Consultant in Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Spierer’s practice also includes psychotherapy with individuals and couples. A former president of the Wisconsin Psychological Association, Dr. Spierer has been a consultant and peer reviewer to state agencies and has assisted in the development of a statewide rapid response consultation service for police officers who have been involved in critical situations.

SHERWOOD MALAMUD

INTEREST ARBITRATION: A REALITY CHECK
SHERWOOD MALAMUD
Arbitrator/Mediator
Sherwood Malamud Law Office

This workshop will focus on the importance of collective bargaining to the achievement of fair agreements that solve workplace problems, and how the union and employer serve as a reality check for each other’’s demands will be highlighted. The limitations of arbitration to the resolution of complex issues will be addressed, as well.

Mr. Malamud has been in private practice since 1983, and has limited his practice to alternative dispute resolutions. At present, he is the mediator of the dispute between the archdiocese of Milwaukee and the victim/survivors of priest sexual abuse.

Mr. Malamud was a mediator, arbitrator, and administrative law judge for ten years from 1973 to 1983. He was a Permanent Umpire for the Milwaukee County and District Council 48, AFSCME, from 1983 to 2004, and has mediated approximately 600 disputes for the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission. He is admitted to practice law in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Mr. Malamud has served on numerous panels, including the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission, American Arbitration Association, and the National Mediation Board. His professional affiliations include: National Academy of Arbitrators; American Bar Association, Section on Labor and Employment Law; Industrial Relations Research Association; and Association of Conflict Resolution. He was chair of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin from 1996 to 1997.

Mr. Malamud received the Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin; a Bachelor of Hebrew Letters in Talmud from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City; and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from City College of New York.