PoolSide with Michelle Bechamps

In this episode, Michelle sits down with Jack Ryan, Attorney & Co-Director at the Legal and Liability Risk Management Institute (LLRMI) — one of the nation’s leading voices in law enforcement risk management and liability — to talk about how agencies can lead with accountability and stay ahead of emerging legal trends.We discuss:• The most common litigation trends facing law enforcement agencies today• How agencies can rebuild public trust and social capital after years of scrutiny• What it

As cyber threats grow more complex, public entities face mounting pressure to safeguard systems, data, and community trust. In this episode of PoolSide, we explore how risk pools are adapting—not just by offering cyber coverage, but by actively partnering with members to strengthen defenses. From evolving claims trends and coverage strategies to the frontlines of cyber hygiene, we discuss how shared responsibility, education, and proactive support are shaping the future of public sector cyber

With the passing of July 1 renewals, the insurance landscape continues to shift. In this PoolSide episode, we explore the mid-year state of the market—from CAT-exposed property to increasingly complex cyber threats, and from liability pressures to shifting underwriting behavior, we ask: how are risk leaders navigating renewals in 2025?Tune in for an insightful conversation with our guests Doug Wozniak, SVP, Public Entity Group and Justin Swarbrick, SVP, Public Entity Group at Alliant.  We discuss

How do you make critical decisions when failure isn’t an option—and time is running out? In this episode of PoolSide, we sit down with Jim Wetherbee, the only American astronaut to have commanded five missions in space, and is the only person to have landed the Space Shuttle five times. He is also the author of Controlling Risk—In a Dangerous World. Drawing on decades of experience in high-risk environments—from the cockpit of a Navy jet to the edge of Earth’s atmosphere—Jim shares his powerful

Michelle and Chris McKenna, Founder/CEO and Actuary of Three Lions LLC, explore the ‘Moneyball Moment’ risk pools can have with the holistic integration of capital modeling studies into their business.Learn how capital modeling is now designed to go beyond just solvency testing to reshaping risk management and informing more robust strategic decisions for pools.

Join host Michelle Bechamps as she interviews Ken Giffin, a strategic advisor to Bechamps & Associates in pool strategic planning and brand strategy. Together, they delve into the art of storytelling in communications and brand messaging, discussing how to make public entity pooling more engaging and effective for next generation leadership. They share practical branding examples and the importance of crafting relatable, memorable stories. Tune in for expert advice on creating a new and powerful

Financial pressures are mounting—social inflation, nuclear verdicts, and rising business costs are putting some pools in a tough spot. Many haven't seen net position declines like this in years. So, how do you secure long-term financial stability?In this episode, Dan Smereck with Strategic Asset Alliance and I dive into the biggest influences on net position and what tools pools are using in their creative strategies—navigating regulatory investment constraints, captive formation, and liquidity

Join us as we chat with Ann Gergen, Executive Director of AGRiP, about how AI is transforming risk pooling. From smarter decision-making to predictive analytics, Ann shares insights on the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into pooling strategies.