Conference presenters

Andrew Crites has been with the Oregon Driver Education Center (ODEC) for almost 20 years and has filled a variety of roles in the company, including instructor, fleet manager, general manager, and now, vice president and chief executive officer. Crites has a broad skill set within driver education that ranges from leadership and speaking abilities to instructional proficiency. These skills have earned him the Elite Instructor classification and industrywide respect for his work in ODEC’s programs, including fleet training, defensive driver training, extreme driver control course, driver education, and much more. Crites has helped transform ODEC into an industry leader.
Andy Rohner, Senior Safety Management Consultant, SAIF Corporation

Andy Rohner has 10 years of experience serving a wide variety of industries and operations. As a safety management consultant he partners with organizations to help transform operations in a broad scope of safety and health programs, procedures, and cultures. SAIF Corporation’s goal is to reduce injuries and improve organizational safety, working toward SAIF’s larger mission to make Oregon the safest and healthiest state.

Autumn Blake has been the Workers’ Compensation Division’s communications coordinator since May, 2022. Before joining WCD, Blake was a paralegal and transcription coordinator for the Workers’ Compensation Board for several years. She served on the Department of Consumer and Business Services’ Diversity Equity and Inclusion Council from 2021 to 2023. Blake has a bachelor's degree in comparative literature from the University of Oregon. She also enjoys volunteering at the Salem Public Library.

Barbra Anderson was appointed to the role of ombuds for Oregon workers in January, 2023. Before this promotion, Anderson worked for the Workers’ Compensation Division as the Employment Services Team manager. She has been in the workers’ compensation industry since February, 1999, serving in many different roles. Anderson loves that her and her team are committed to helping people. In fact, Anderson loves helping people so much, she also works at a retirement facility as a caregiver a few evenings a week. When Anderson is not working, she loves spending time with her family, including her four dogs, while enjoying countless activities in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Bob Hamre, Senior Field Investigator, Employer Compliance Unit, Workers’ Compensation Division

Bob Hamre has been a professional investigator for 42 years. He began in the private sector with his own company for 16 years and has spent the majority of the remaining time with Oregon’s Workers’ Compensation Division. He is the senior field investigator in the Employer Compliance Unit. Hamre is married with three grown children, who all might someday actually be moved out of the house at the same time. He enjoys nearly every outdoor activity, and enjoys nearly every indoor activity while outdoors.

Caitlin Breitbach has worked as the small business ombudsman since March 1, and previously was the assistant small business ombudsman and a reemployment specialist on the Employment Services Team (EST) in WCD since 2019. Before her appointment, she worked at the Building Codes Division as a policy analyst and training coordinator for two years, and at the Department of Administrative Services as a policy analyst specializing in performance metrics for three years. Before beginning her career in state government, Breitbach was a manager for a small family owned restaurant for eight years. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in human resources, and a master’s degree in organizational leadership.

Cathy Ostrand-Ponsioen is the legal issues coordinator for the Workers’ Compensation Division. Ostrand-Ponsioen joined the division’s Policy Team in 2000 and has held various positions, including rules coordinator, policy analyst, and manager. She is a graduate of Western Washington University and Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her children and her dogs.

Christy Johnson is a reemployment specialist with the Employment Services Team within the Workers’ Compensation Division. She provides technical direction to Oregon’s injured workers and their employers. She spends her day answering questions on the phone and determining worker eligibility for program and process contracts. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science in liberal studies from Eastern Oregon State University. Johnson has an extensive knowledge of the Workers’ Compensation Division. She started her career in the mailroom and was quickly promoted to the support unit of the Appellate Review Unit. After a short time, she was promoted and became a benefit consultant, where she became a certified claims examiner. After a year and a half she was promoted into the Preferred Worker Program within the Employment Services Team, where she plans to remain.

Craig graduated in 1993 from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, with a bachelor’s degree in industrial and environmental health management. Before moving to Oregon, Craig performed industrial hygiene work for a Michigan consulting firm and was a safety compliance officer with South Carolina OSHA. He began his career with Oregon OSHA in 1995 as a safety compliance officer in Medford. In 1998, Craig joined Oregon OSHA’s Public Education Section conducting safety and health workshops and training sessions for Oregon’s employers and employees. Craig became Oregon OSHA’s internal training specialist in 2006 providing safety and health training to all Oregon OSHA staff members.

Dan Schmelling is a claims supervisor for SAIF Corporation. He has been with SAIF in his current position for more than seven years. Dan has spent almost 30 years in the workers’ compensation industry working for a variety of employers.

Donita White has been with the Workers’ Compensation Division for more than 23 years. She has been a reimbursement specialist for two years; and was an auditor for several years, auditing the Employer-at-Injury Program (EAIP) and other claims processing audits. The reimbursement team reviews EAIP reimbursement requests to ensure they meet reimbursement requirements. The reimbursement team also reviews reimbursement requests for the Retroactive Program, the Reemployment Assistance Program, the Reopened Claims Program, the Second Injury Program, and Social Security Offsets. White enjoys spending time with her family, traveling with her husband, gardening, and spending time with her dog.

Heather Williamson is the Modernization Program manager for the Workers’ Compensation Division. The Modernization Program was created to provide strategic leadership and oversight into process, system, and application improvements. Williamson started in this role on April 1, 2021, and has been hard at work learning about all of the great work performed by the division and putting together the overall program plan and related documentation. Before her work with the Modernization Program, Williamson was a deputy division director and claims electronic data interchange coordinator for the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation and spent 10 years as a workers’ compensation insurance defense paralegal.

Heidi Havercroft was promoted to senior staff attorney with the Workers’ Compensation Board in August, 2019. She was initially hired as a staff attorney with the board in 2015. Before that, Havercroft was a defense litigator and special assistant attorney general for the SAIF Corporation, after completing a legal internship with SAIF during law school. Havercroft also served as an extern for the Honorable Virginia L. Linder at the Oregon Supreme Court. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in history and humanities from the University of Oregon and a Juris Doctor from the Willamette University College of Law, cum laude. Havercroft serves as a member of the executive committee of the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Oregon State Bar, as well as a board member for Neighbor-to-Neighbor LLC, which provides community mediation services in Marion, Linn, Benton, and Yamhill counties.

Jaylee Hlad-Mosgrove is the chief assistant ombuds for the Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers. She serves as an advocate for workers and has been with the office since 2005. Hlad-Mosgrove first started with the Workers’ Compensation Division (WCD) in 1990, before it became part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) in 1993. She has served as an office specialist, medical reviewer, and benefit consultant. Before coming to WCD and DCBS, she was a legal assistant for the special trial counsel at the Department of Justice.

Jonathan Kirsch has been a physical therapist for more than 10 years, three of them working exclusively with the worker’s compensation population. Kirsch has a Bachelor of Science in biology, a Bachelor of Science in health sciences, and a doctorate of physical therapy, all from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He also is enrolled at Penn State University and will receive his Master of Business Administration in Spring 2025. Kirsch has been in an administrative role for the past two years overseeing out-patient physical therapy for ATI Physical Therapy in Oregon and Southwest Washington. He sits on the advisory board for the Mt. Hood Community College Physical Therapist Assistant Program.

With five years of experience in the Workers’ Compensation Division (WCD), Julie Stratton has been dedicated to connecting people with the assistance they need in challenging situations. Currently serving as a benefit consultant, Stratton fields inquiries from injured workers, medical providers, attorneys, employers, and government agencies, applying her knowledge of workers' compensation laws and rules. Before joining WCD, Stratton spent several years as a nonprofit program coordinator, shaping programs and enhancing access to services. Her passion lies in ensuring all stakeholders in the workers’ compensation industry feel heard and understood.

Kate Suisman is an attorney at the Northwest Workers’ Justice Project (NWJP) in Portland, Oregon, where she represents workers in employment cases with a focus on injured worker retaliation. She also coordinates two policy groups: the Oregon Coalition to Stop Wage Theft and Safe Jobs Oregon, which focuses on worker safety. She founded and is on the steering committee of the National Coalition for Worker Justice, which advocates to federal worker enforcement agencies about low-wage work issues. Before joining NWJP, Suisman worked to fight wage theft within the day-labor community at the Voz Workers’ Rights Education Project in Portland. Suisman has served as a law clerk in a trial court in Manhattan and chief of staff to a New York City council member.

Suisman has a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish literature from Reed College and a Juris Doctor from the City University of New York’s Public Interest Law School.

With a dual clinical (Bachelor of Science in physical therapy) and engineering (Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in industrial engineering/ergonomics) background, Katia Costa-Black has supported many organizations in the implementation of several types of prevention programs —whether focused on ergonomics, OSHA compliance, or managing illnesses, injuries, disabilities, and presenteeism in the workplace. Over the last six years, she has been an active advocate for the application of the National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health’s Total Worker Health approach vis-à-vis her educational activities and consulting practice. Currently, she is the senior manager for education and partnerships at the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at Oregon Health & Science University.

Keith Johnson is the Workers’ Compensation Division’s claims coding trainer. Every day, Johnson gets to work within the claims unit to ensure quality is met for claims entry and processing. He also reviews submitted forms to make sure they’ve been filled out correctly. Johnson enjoys the ability to problem solve in his role. Johnson also likes helping people better navigate the workers’ compensation system. Away from work, Johnson loves to play with his dogs, spend sunny days out on the dunes, and relax while playing his guitar.

Keith Semple is an attorney with Johnson, Johnson, Lucas & Middleton P.C., in Eugene, Oregon. He has represented injured workers since 2003. Semple was the 2020 recipient of the Douglas Swanson Outstanding Workers’ Compensation Attorney Award from the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, and the 2021 recipient of the Professionalism Award from the Oregon State Bar Workers’ Compensation Section. Semple frequently advocates for injured workers in legislative and administrative rulemaking proceedings, and is a regular speaker at continuing legal education events.

Kirsten Schrock is the Resolution Section manager for the Workers’ Compensation Division (WCD) and has worked for the division for the past two years. Before that, she worked with the Oregon Health Authority for nine years. Schrock loves her job because she gets to support those who have a direct involvement with getting injured workers back to work, getting them the tools they need to be successful, and helping them resolve disputes that affect the workers’ compensation industry. Schrock also loves anything to do with the outdoors that involves her family, such as hiking, camping, or kayaking.

Lauren Eldridge was appointed as interim managing attorney at the Workers’ Compensation Board in August, 2023. She joined the board as a staff attorney in 2016 and served as a senior staff attorney from 2018 to 2023. Before joining the board, Eldridge worked as a law clerk to the Honorable Jack L. Landau at the Oregon Supreme Court. Lauren earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science from Portland State University and her Juris Doctor from the University of Oregon, where she graduated Order of the Coif.

Lauren Oda joined SBH Legal in 2011 as an associate attorney and became a partner in 2020. She represents Oregon and Washington employers and insurers in workers’ compensation and related employment matters. Oda works closely with claims adjusters, risk managers, and workers’ compensation managers to facilitate the best outcome in difficult workers’ compensation claims. Oda works with each client to tailor her legal work to match both the unique case and the needs of the client.

Before joining SBH Legal, Oda practiced criminal defense and plaintiff-side personal injury law in Oregon, where she handled numerous jury and bench trials through verdict. While in law school at Willamette University, Oda gained extensive litigation experience during clerkships with the Marion County District Attorney’s Office and a private criminal defense firm. In her spare time, Oda enjoys golfing, trying out new recipes in the kitchen, and exploring the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two young sons.

Lin Allen has been with the Workers’ Compensation Division for 13 years. She has been a sanctions representative for seven years, and before that was a self-insurance auditor. She enjoys the variety of work her job provides, which includes reviewing a wide range of issues having to do with workers’ compensations laws and rules. Outside of work, Allen enjoys gardening, feeding and watching birds, cooking, and volunteering at her church.

Liz Hill is the Total Worker Health adviser for SAIF Corporation. Liz has more than 25 years of experience in professional health and safety and spent a short stint doing global health work. Before working at SAIF, Hill worked in a variety of industries from oil and gas to higher education. Hill has a Bachelor of Science in industrial hygiene and a master’s degree in public health. She holds designations as a certified industrial hygienist and a certified safety professional. She is a communications liaison and past chairperson of the American Industrial Hygiene Association’s (AIHA) Total Worker Health Advisory Group. In 2022, she received a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Star Partner award.

Lori Harris joined the Workers’ Compensation Division (WCD) in February 2018, as an appellate review specialist with the Appellate Review Unit. Before coming to WCD, Harris worked as a disability analyst adjudicating disability claims with the Disability Determination Services at the Social Security Administration, and worked as a vocational behavioral specialist for the Stabilization and Crisis Unit of the Oregon Department of Human Services.

Matt West was appointed the Workers' Compensation Division (WCD) interim administrator in January, 2024. West began his career with WCD as a bilingual benefit consultant in 2003. West continued to provide assistance to injured workers throughout Oregon as he progressed within the WCD Employment Services Team, including serving as the unit manager for several years, the WCD Resolution Section manager, and most recently the division’s deputy administrator. Before joining the Workers’ Compensation Division, West spent five years in Mexico teaching English. He has a degree in social science from Portland State University.

Mikaela Polk is a workers’ compensation field investigator with the Workers’ Compensation Division. She travels the state investigating workers’ compensation claims and employer compliance. Polk’s past compliance experience entails working as a workers’ compensation auditor, a workers’ compensation coverage investigator, and a wage and hour investigator. Polk is passionate about workers’ compensation compliance and outreach, and uses her experience and knowledge to educate and assist Oregon employers to come into and remain in compliance with Oregon law. Polk has a master’s degree in teaching from Western Oregon University, and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and business administration.

Molly Van Houten, Benefit Consultant, Employment Services, Workers’ Compensation Division 

Molly Van Houten joined the Workers’ Compensation Division in 2021 as a support to the Preferred Worker and Vocational Assistance programs. She has been a member of the Benefit Consultation Unit since 2022. Before coming to WCD, Molly worked as a certified nursing assistant and an administrative specialist. She enjoys having the opportunity to learn something new every day and sharing it with others. Molly has been married to her husband for eight years and has two children. Together, they love going on annual camping trips and soaking in the sun.

Nicholas Ring, Medical Reviewer, Medical Resolution, Workers’ Compensation Division

Nicholas Ring has been at the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) for 11 years and is a medical reviewer with the Medical Resolution Team (MRT). Prior to working at DCBS, he was a practicing chiropractic physician for six years in multidiscipline pain clinics holding a Doctor of Chiropractic. He enjoys working in MRT because it allows him to assist with all types of disputes, including administrative orders and negotiations or mediations. Ring is the father of two children and married to his wife, Colette. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing soccer, exercising, and being outdoors.

Olivia Brookman has worked at the Department of Consumer and Business Services for eight years. She spent her first two years at the Central Services Division and has been with the Workers’ Compensation Division for six years. Brookman’s work includes training internal and external stakeholders, solving complex claim issues, and providing support to her team. She enjoys being able to help people in need and problem solving on a daily basis. Brookman is the mother to three children and has been married to her husband, Jon, for four years. She loves spending time outdoors hiking, fishing, and camping. If she has to be inside, she prefers a good book and a warm blanket.

Sara Claessens joined the Workers’ Compensation Division (WCD) in September, 2018 as an appellate review specialist with the Appellate Review Unit. Before joining WCD, Claessens worked in private practice as an attorney and had previously worked at Legal Aid. Claessens graduated in 2013 from Willamette University College of Law. She lives in Salem with her family.

Sara Kessler began working as an auditor with the Workers’ Compensation Division in June, 2018. Kessler has been with the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) since July, 2006, where she also worked for the Workers’ Compensation Board and as a safety and risk specialist with DCBS’s Employee Services. Kessler has a bachelor’s degree from Western Oregon University.

Sonji Young is SAIF Corporations’s chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer and responsible for SAIF’s enterprise-wide strategies to ensure an equitable work environment for all employees. Prior to joining SAIF in 2023, Young served as the global vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Armstrong Teasdale. Young has more than 15 years of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion and HR leadership. Young has a bachelor of arts degree in communications from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Young is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management, the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources, Society for Diversity, and Society of Multicultural Professionals in HR.

Sydney Montanaro is a partner at Thomas, Coon, Newton & Frost and her practice largely focuses on representing injured workers in all aspects of workers’ compensation claims, from denied claims to helping clients access needed benefits for accepted claims. She also handles cases involving on-the-job injuries with third parties and other injury claims. She is honored to help her clients through a complicated claims process.

Tim Kessel is a worksite modification consultant for the Preferred Worker Program (PWP). He also specializes in the Employer-at-Injury Program. Kessel has been at the Workers’ Compensation Division for 30 years in a variety of roles. Kessel began with PWP as a reemployment specialist in 1994, then became a worksite modification consultant in December 2005. Kessel enjoys traveling around the state to help injured workers return to the workforce. In his free time, Kessel loves to golf and spend time with his grandsons.

Toni King-Byous is a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) business partner at SAIF Corporation. She is mission-driven to build intentional, authentic spaces for employees to actively engage and learn from each other to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces. She is well-versed in the core to advanced elements of Lean Six Sigma Methodology, which focuses on using a collaborative team effort to improve performance and outcomes by systematically removing waste. She has successfully led process improvement projects focusing on a fact-based, data-driven philosophy of improvement and valuing issue prevention over issue detection principles.

King-Byous earned a Bachelor of Science in public administration from the University of LaVerne. She is Leader Factor-certified to deliver the four stages of psychological safety training and holds a National Association of Safety Professionals Human Organizational Performance certification.

She and her husband enjoy mentoring and developing youth in their Salem, Oregon, faith-based community.

Zoe Tacadena has worked for the Workers’ Compensation Division for three years where she has held a few different positions. Tacadena has worked as a benefit consultant where she acted as a liaison between the public and the agency, corporations, businesses, and other entities to clarify issues and resolve disputes. She also educated injured workers on their right to file a workers’ compensation claim and other questions that might arise during the claims process. Tacadena now works for the Preferred Worker Program and helps administer program benefits to help remove barriers to employment for Oregon workers.