Louisiana
Joseph “Jay” Albe, Jr., joined the Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration (OWCA) as the District Judge in Shreveport, Louisiana. As the District Judge, Judge Albe will conduct judicial hearings and trials in the district office by presiding over workers’ compensation claims and rendering final appealable judgments. Prior to this appointment, Judge Albe litigated cases in Federal and State Courts in the areas of workers’ compensation, personal injury, business litigation, criminal and family law, and served as a principle in his last firm. Judge Albe received a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Phoenix in 2002, and a J.D. from Regent University in 2007. He and his wife Angela have three sons – Bryce, Joshua and Alexander.
Dona K. Renegar joined the Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration (OWCA) as the District Judge in Alexandria, Louisiana after a career with the Legal Service Corporation and in private practice. Judge Renegar received two B.A. degrees, in English and in French, magna cum laude, in 1988 from the University of Louisiana–Lafayette. She earned her J.D., cum laude, in 1992 from Tulane University Law School and was admitted to the Louisiana Bar that same year. Judge Renegar has been very involved with the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) where she also served as the 2016-2017 president. She is also a frequent and in-demand speaker at continuing legal education programs. In her community, she has been an instructor for the “Parents and the Law” course and is an avid supporter of University of Louisiana–Lafayette athletics.
Rhode Island
Recently, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed the annual Workers’ Compensation Omnibus Bill endorsed by the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council that contained provisions to clarify very the specific and narrow role the R.I. Workers’ Compensation Court should play when hearing disputes involving Injured On Duty (IOD) claims which involve certain classes of Rhode Island first responder and law enforcement officers who are injured during their employment.
As was discussed during a recent Lunch & Learn Presentation, first Responders in Rhode Island do not collect workers’ compensation benefits but have their own parallel system called I.O.D. which pays them their full salary, tax free, during their period of impairment.
The Governor of Rhode Island (Daniel McKee) signed the Omnibus Bill into law on June 23, 2025 and the clarifying provisions are effective for all new petitions/disputes on or after July 1, 2025.
New Award in Rhode Island
he R.I. Workers’ Compensation Court at a recent state educational conference announced a new perpetual award for notable lifetime achievements in contributing to the Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation System. The new award will be given annually and is to bear the name of the first recipient: Chief Judge George E. Healy, Jr.
Judge Healy retired 9 years ago as Chief Judge of the R.I. Workers’ Compensation Court capping a super successful career in the field of Workers’ Compensation as a defense attorney, leader of the 1990 & 1992 reforms in the state system which saw conversion of the state’s workers’ compensation commission into a full fledged Court. Judge Healy went on to eventually serve as a Judge on the Court and spent a decade as its Chief Judge.
Since his retirement from the Bench he continued to serve as a mediator for the Court and as a member of the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council which advises on all things Workers’ Compensation related in Rhode Island.
His legacy includes creation of the Young Employee Safety Program (Y.E.S. R.I.) which brings judges, lawyers and safety people into area high schools to educate the students on their rights in the workplace and most importantly how to work safely and thus avoid injury altogether.
Hereinafter the George E. Healy, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award will be bestowed on deserving individuals who have made similar contributions to the R.I. system, but all were in agreement with current Chief Judge Robert M. Ferrieri’s proclamation while announcing and surprising Chief Judge Healy with the award, that there was no more appropriate or deserving recipient for the inaugural installment of the award than retired Chief Judge Healy.
Georgia
In May, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced the reappointment of Judge Ben Vinson as Chairman and Judge Frank McKay as Director of the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation for terms of office expiring May 1, 2029. They join Judge Neera Bahl, who was reappointed in 2024, in continuing to serve the State of Georgia with strong leadership in the workers’ compensation realm. Congratulations to these three members of the NAWCJ.
Virginia
|
|
|
[Richmond, VA]- The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission welcomed two new Deputy Commissioners, Frederick T. Schubert II and Christopher R. Wilson, during a Swearing-In Ceremony at the Commission’s headquarters yesterday. Both Schubert and Wilson will serve as administrative law judges under the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act and hold evidentiary hearings at the Commission’s Manassas Regional Office.
|
|
|
|
Deputy Commissioner Frederick T. (Ted) Schubert II graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Economics in 1988. He graduated from the Cumberland School of Law of Samford University, cum laude, in 1992, where he was a member of the Cumberland Law Review in 1991 and 1992.
Schubert was admitted to the Virginia bar in 1992. He practiced with the firm of Goddin, Major, Schubert & Hyman, in Richmond, Virginia, from June 1992 through August 1993. He practiced with the firm of King & Higgs, P.C., in Roanoke, Virginia, as an associate from August 1993 through June 1997. |
|
|
|
Most recently, he practiced with the firm of Midkiff, Muncie, & Ross, P.C., in Richmond, Virginia, from June of 1997 through April 9, 2025, where he served as a Director and Co-Chair of the firm’s Workers’ Compensation Section.
Schubert has tried and mediated workers’ compensation cases across Virginia and handled appeals before the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission and the Virginia Court of Appeals. He has an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell.
His greatest accomplishments are his marriage of 31 years (Beth) and his two grown sons (Ted and Ben). |
|
|
|
Deputy Commissioner Christopher R. Wilson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin and received his Juris Doctor degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law.
Wilson completed internships with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia and the Department of Health and Human Services. He worked for many years in private practice with the firm of Kalbaugh, Pfund & Messersmith, P.C., representing employers and insurers before the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission. |
|
|
|
Two Deputy Commissioners have retired from the Commission in 2025, Deborah “Debbie” Wood Blevins (Roanoke) and Susan E. Cummins (Fairfax). Additionally, Deputy Commissioner Jimese P. Sherrill (Manassas) will retire in June 2025. The Commission is grateful for their many years of service to the citizens of the Commonwealth while upholding the mission, vision and values of the Commission. Congratulations to each on their well-deserved retirement.
|
|
|
|
About The Commission
The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (VWC) has 13 departments under two major divisions, Administration and Judicial. VWC is led by three appointed Commissioners: Chairman Wesley G. Marshall, Commissioner R. Ferrell Newman, and Commissioner Robert A. Rapaport. Chief Deputy Commissioner James Szablewicz provides senior leadership for the Judicial Division. Evelyn V. McGill is the Executive Director, responsible for the Administrative Division and day-to-day operations of VWC. The organization has been operating since 1918.
VWC also administers the [virginiavictimsfund.org]Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, the Uninsured Employer’s Fund, and adjudicates claims under the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program. VWC hosts an annual educational conference and exhibition, in partnership with the International Workers’ Compensation Foundation (IWCF), to help its stakeholders better understand the workers’ compensation system in Virginia.
To learn more about VWC’s operational activities over the past year, read the latest VWC Annual Report here.
The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, and has offices and hearing locations across the state.
For more information about the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission, visit the Commission’s website. For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please email Charles Steepleton or call 877-664-2566. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
[Richmond, VA]– The recent Top Workplaces event, hosted by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, gave the Commission plenty of reasons to celebrate—most notably, a special honor recognizing Executive Director Evelyn V. McGill. This year, McGill was proudly awarded the 2025 Leadership Award in the Midsize Companies category (125-399 employees).
Commission Chairman Wesley G. Marshall shared his enthusiasm, saying, “We are extremely proud of Evelyn being recognized as this year’s top leader. Evelyn brings heartfelt positivity and professionalism to her work every day and she empowers our team to excel. Our special recognition for the mid-sized category reflects the commitment of our team as we pursue our mission as stewards of the public’s trust.”
The Top Workplaces awards spotlight organizations that prioritize a people-first culture; demonstrating that the success of any organization starts with valuing its employees. The Leadership Award specifically spotlights exceptional workplace environments through leadership practices. All recognition is calculated based directly on anonymous employee feedback.
- Click here to read the Richmond Times-Dispatch Top Workplaces Special Awards article, or here for the .pdf version.
- Click here to view the Commission’s feature from the recent Richmond Times-Dispatch article (subscription may be required), or click here for the .pdf version.
|
|
|
|
About The Commission
The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (VWC) has 13 departments under two major divisions, Administration and Judicial. VWC is led by three appointed Commissioners: Chairman Wesley G. Marshall, Commissioner R. Ferrell Newman, and Commissioner Robert A. Rapaport. Chief Deputy Commissioner James Szablewicz provides senior leadership for the Judicial Division. Evelyn V. McGill is the Executive Director, responsible for the Administrative Division and day-to-day operations of VWC. The organization has been operating since 1918.
VWC also administers the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, the Uninsured Employer’s Fund, and adjudicates claims under the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program. VWC hosts an annual educational conference and exhibition, in partnership with the International Workers’ Compensation Foundation (IWCF), to help its stakeholders better understand the workers’ compensation system in Virginia.
To learn more about VWC’s operational activities over the past year, read the latest VWC Annual Report here.
The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, and has offices and hearing locations across the state.
For more information about the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission, visit the Commission’s website. For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please email Charles Steepleton or call 877-664-2566. |
|
|
|
|
|
South Carolina
Kristen S. McRee, Esq. has been appointed Executive Director by the South Carolina Workers’
Compensation Commission. She will assume the position effective November 1, 2025. Ms. McRee will be responsible for the Commission’s administrative operations and serves at the pleasure of the Full Commission.
Mrs. McRee joined the Commission in March 2021 as a staff attorney working in the Commission’s Legal Department. On August 17, 2023, she was promoted to Director of Administrative Services. As Administrative Services Director she has been responsible for monitoring compliance with state and federal laws, developing internal policies and procedures, overseeing the Commission finance and budgetary operations and transactions, administering the human resources program, and providing stakeholder outreach to various groups.
Prior to her tenure at the Commission, Mrs. McRee practiced workers’ compensation law in the private sector representing both claimants and employer/carriers. In addition to her workers’ compensation experience, Mrs. McRee has demonstrated a deep commitment to public service throughout her professional career. She has served as a staff member in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and a legal staff member for the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole. She is a 2011 recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award and a 2011 recipient of a United State Marine Corps Certificate of Commendation for her volunteer efforts as a family readiness officer for the 1st Marine Logistics Group, Combat Logistics Regimen 17 in Camp Pendleton, California.
She graduated from Widener University Commonwealth Law School earning her juris doctorate degree and graduated with distinction from George Mason University earning her bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in American government. She was inducted into the Stanford E. Lacy Workers’ Compensation Inn of Court in 2025 and is a South Carolina LeadSC program graduate.
Please direct any inquiries to Chairman T. Scott Beck at 803-737-5698
