Nelson Promoted to Executive Director

Steve Nelson

After a national search, the board of directors promoted Steve Nelson from MCIT deputy director to executive director. He has served as the deputy director since 2009.

Nelson officially began in his new capacity Sept. 22, giving him a one week overlap with retiring Executive Director Gerd Clabaugh. Clabaugh announced last April that he would retire from MCIT Sept. 30.

MCIT Board Chair Ron Antony says, “We are pleased to have found our new leader from within our own staff. Steve’s lengthy experience at MCIT, both in claims handling, as well as leadership, is an ideal fit to lead MCIT and guide the services we provide to our members.”

31 Years Working for MCIT Program

Nelson began his involvement with the MCIT program in 1994, when he worked as a property/casualty claims adjuster on the program for MCIT’s primary service provider. Over the next 15 years, he held several positions before moving into the role of program manager in 2006, where he was responsible for the oversight and delivery of several MCIT services including underwriting, property/casualty claims administration and field services.

As MCIT deputy director, a newly formed role for the organization in 2009, Nelson was responsible for:

• Overseeing the MCIT Coverage Document, working with the board of directors to adjust coverage to meet the needs of members as their operations evolve.
• Leading the annual reinsurance renewals, analyzing quotes from reinsurers to provide the board details about how the proposals would affect coverage and the financial resilience of the MCIT program.
• Having four departments report directly to him.

During his time with MCIT, Nelson was significantly involved in bringing the underwriting and property/casualty claims operations in house, converting the claims handling system to the online system currently in use, and managing several outside contracts including the Employee Assistance Program contract with AllOne Health.

Nelson attributes his longevity with MCIT to the organization’s commitment to excellence, saying, “There is a culture of service within MCIT from the board of directors to every staff member that creates an energy to assist our membership that is second to none.”

Upon taking on the role of executive director, Nelson says, “I am looking forward to working with our board, staff and partners to further MCIT’s 46-year tradition of providing our membership with meaningful and relevant coverage and risk management services.”