Kailin Bethel Joins Risk Management Services as Financial Specialist
Work Experience: Kailin previously worked as an accounting assistant at the Sandhills School. Most recently, she worked as an administrative assistant in education and training at the Municipal Association of SC.
Hometown: Irmo, SC
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of South Carolina Upstate.
Hobbies: She enjoys fishing and hiking.
2024 Risk Management Institute Graduates
The Risk Management Institute, a program of the SC Municipal Insurance Trust and SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund, graduated 10 municipal officials during the Risk Management Services Annual Members Meeting on November 6 in Columbia.
The new Risk Management Institute graduates are Torrun Mance, human resource specialist, City of Manning; Mary Bradley, human resources generalist, City of North Augusta; Christine McKaba, town administrator, Town of Reidville; Joy Belton-Robinson, human resources generalist III, City of Hartsville; Kimberly Jones, human resource director, City of Hartsville; Keith Choate, risk manager, City of Greer; Sam Woodward, police chief, City of Hardeeville; Randall Human, lieutenant, City of Anderson; Bruce Fallon, safety coordinator, Greer CPW; and Sara Herring, solid waste administrator, City of Aiken (not pictured).
There is no fee for members to participate in the institute. Apply online on the Municipal Association’s website.
2024 Risk Management Services Awards
Each year, the SC Municipal Insurance Trust and SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund board of trustees recognize members who have reduced their total costs and kept employees safe while delivering better public services.
Award winners are determined based on the municipality's loss experience for the current year and the previous three years. There are three population divisions, with one winner in each division. Six cities received recognition at the 2024 Risk Management Services Annual Members Meeting. The award winners received a plaque and a $2,500 monetary award.
SCMIT
- Town of Timmonsville – Division I
- City of Manning – Division II
- City of North Augusta – Division III
SCMIRF
- Town of Jefferson – Division I
- Town of Ridgeland – Division II
- City of Walterboro – Division III
Risk Management Services Board Changes
The SC Municipal Insurance Trust has bid farewell to Phillip “Le” Hendrick, fire chief for the City of Conway. Hendrick served as a member of the SCMIT board for six years.
The SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund has bid farewell to Stuart Bedenbaugh, city manager for the City of Aiken and Allison Harvey, town administrator for the Town of Clover. Bedenbaugh served as a member of the SCMIRF board for six years and Harvey served for five years.
"SCMIT and SCMIRF extend their gratitude to Le, Stuart and Allison for their years of service," said Director of Risk Management Services Heather Ricard. "Their insight and leadership will be missed."
The SCMIT board has welcomed Shannon Tanner, fire chief for the City of Florence, to the board.
The SCMIRF board has also welcomed Daniel Moore, city manager for the City of Hartsville, and Chief Charlie Cribb, fire chief for the City of Georgetown, to the board.
Changes Related to SCMIRF Employment and Labor Hotline
Kevin Sturm, employment and labor hotline attorney is no longer affiliated with Sturm & Cont PA. His new law practice has the name Kevin W. Sturm Attorney at Law. The employment and labor hotline phone number has not changed. Sturm will continue as the primary attorney that members can call to discuss employment matters. SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund members receive ten free hours each year to use with the designated employment and labor attorney. Members can find additional information about the labor hotline online.
Spotlight on Risk Management Services’ Board Members
SCMIRF Board Member Daniel Moore
Elected in 2024, Daniel Moore recently joined the SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund board. He has been the city manager for the City of Hartsville since June 2020. Prior to his employment with the City of Hartsville, he served as interim city administrator for the City of Goose Creek from April 2020 to June 2020, and as assistant city administrator from May 2017 until April 2020. Moore also served from May 2013 until April 2017 as public services administrative coordinator for the City of North Augusta.
Moore earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies and a Master of Public Administration from Augusta University.
He is currently a member of the Butler Heritage Foundation and Kiwanis Club.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid movie fan.
SCMIT Board Member Steven “Flip” Hutfles
Elected in 2024, Steven “Flip” Hutfles has served on the SC Municipal Insurance Trust board for one year. He has been the city administrator for the City of Lancaster since November 2015. Hutfles previously served as city administrator in Fredonia, Kansas, from 2008 to 2015.
Hutfles earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Newberry College, a Master of City and Regional Planning from Clemson University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas.
He is currently president-elect of the Lancaster Rotary Club.
In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, hiking and reading.
New LocalGovU Courses
The LocalGovU, online training platform has added or updated several courses in the catalog this past quarter. These courses are now accessible in the risk management services online training center:
- Cross-Generational Differences
- Building Financial Strength in First Responder Families
- Stairways and Ladders
- Hazmat First Responder Awareness (FRA) Level 1
New additions in LocalGovU can be identified by a red “new course” banner listed on the image in the course catalog. Updated courses can be identified by a green “updated” banner on the image in the course catalog.
Municipal Association’s City Quick Connect Podcast Highlights Risk Management Topics
The City Quick Connect podcast gives listeners a chance to hear the latest from Municipal Association staff and others about the issues impacting cities and towns. Loss control staff have made an appearance on a couple of podcasts to discuss different risk management topics, including an episode on sanitation truck fires, and an episode on conducting incident investigations.
2025 Risk Management Services Training
Mark your calendar for the 2025 training courses for SCMIT and SCMIRF members.
Defensive Driving Training [Risk Management Institute Core Course]
OSHA Confined Space Competent Person Training [Risk Management Institute Core Course]
Law Enforcement Training [Risk Management Institute Elective Course]
Risk Management Services Conference [Risk Management Institute Core and Elective Course]
Defensive Driving Training [Risk Management Institute Core Course]
Risk Management Services Annual Members Meeting [Risk Management Institute Elective Course]