Central States Association Spring Seminar 2026

Speakers

Allen Kassebaum
Regulatory Programs Section Manager
Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court

Allen Kassebaum is the Manager of the Regulatory Programs Section of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court.  The Regulatory Programs Section is responsible for the self-insurance program, the medical services section, EDI reporting, and the compliance activities of researching, investigating, and taking action to correct lack of compliance by parties who have obligations under the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act. 

Cathy Lake
Administrative Law Judge
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Worker's Compensation Division

Cathy A. Lake has been an administrative law judge with the Worker's Compensation Division, Department of Workforce Development, since 1999. She is currently the Deputy Bureau Director of Legal Services. In her 37+ year career in the worker's compensation arena, she has represented injured workers, employers, and insurance carriers.  She was also a claims examiner with a Madison area insurance company and a dispute resolution manager at the Bureau of State Risk Management in the Department of Administration.  

Ms. Lake is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin and has served in various roles within the Wisconsin Association of Worker's Compensation Lawyers.  She was inducted as a Fellow into the College of Worker's Compensation Lawyers in 2018, a national organization with representatives from all 50 states.   

Clair Korte
Staff Attorney
Kansas Department of Labor, Workers Compensation Division

Clair Korte is a Staff Attorney with the Kansas Department of Labor, Workers Compensation Division since 2024, currently specializing in former self-insured security review procedures. She also is a certified mediator and handles mediations for work comp disputes. Clair is being mentored by the Acting Director (and current Assistant Director) to take over the Assistant Director position in several years once he retires.

David Sprick
Operations Manager
Kansas Department of Labor, Workers Compensation Division

David Sprick is the Operations Manager with the Kansas Department of Labor, Workers Compensation Division since 2011. Before his current role he managed the Data, Systems, and Statistics Unit in the Division from 2003-2011. David directs the judicial performance measure program for the Division.

Deena Driese
Deputy Administrator
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Worker's Compensation Division

Deena Driese is the Deputy Administrator with the Department of Workforce Development, Worker's Compensation Division. Prior to beginning this role in 2024, Deena was the Deputy Director/Interim Bureau Director in the Division of Benefits Administration at Employee Trust Funds. Deena was previously employed at The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) as a Program Manager overseeing, Property, Casualty, and Workers Compensation insurance. Prior to state service, Deena was a Senior Manager at NeuGen, overseeing benefits administration and health insurance. Deena spent most of her career at American Family Insurance, most recently as a Branch Claims Senior Manager. Deena is a part-time instructor at Madison College. She obtained her bachelor's and master's degrees in business management, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Deena is a prior Surgical Technologist, a certified business coach and holds various insurance licensures. Deena is a member of the Human Resources Advisory Committee at Madison College.

James O'Malley
Director of the Office of Legal Initiatives
Wisconsin Worker's Compensation Division

James T. O’Malley is the Director of the Office of Legal Initiatives for the Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Division. From 2001 to 2026 he was the Director of the Bureau of Legal Services. Mr. O’Malley was previously employed by the Worker’s Compensation Division as Section Chief of Madison Operations from 1989 to 2001 and as an Administrative Law Judge from 1984 to 1989. From 1976 to 1984 he was an Administrative Law Judge for the Unemployment Compensation Division. In 1976 he was engaged in a private law practice.  Mr. O’Malley is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, Iowa State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and he received his law degree from St. Mary's University School of Law.

Laura Plicanic
General Counsel
Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court

Laura Plicanic serves as General Counsel at the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court and has been with the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court since 2007. Laura is also a certified mediator and mediates workers’ compensation disputes through the court’s Informal Dispute Resolution program. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa and her law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law.

Melody Dials
Columbus Claims Director
Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation

Melody Dials is the Columbus Claims Director for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), a role she assumed in November 2024. She leads with a strong focus on exceptional service, driving effective claims management for both internal and external customers. During her 19-year career with BWC, Melody has advanced through multiple roles centered on customer service and operational excellence. In recent leadership positions, she championed process improvements that boosted team performance and efficiency. She is passionate about continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration to better serve customers. Melody holds a bachelor’s degree in speech and hearing science from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University.

Melody Dials has served as Columbus Claims Director for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation since November 2024. With 19 years at BWC, she has advanced through customer service and leadership roles, driving process improvements and team performance. She holds degrees from The Ohio State University and Central Michigan University and values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Scott McFadden
Chief of Claims Services
Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation

With over 32 years of experience in the workers’ compensation industry, Scott McFadden was appointed Chief of Claims Services in February 2023. In 1993, he joined BWC as a claims representative in the provider affairs department and has served in various roles within the agency. Within the Operations Division, he has held the role of injury management supervisor, regional settlement supervisor, and most recently served as the Columbus Claims Director. He also has experience working in managed care in the private sector.  As Chief of Claims Services, Scott works closely with the central and field service offices to ensure we are delivering consistently excellent experiences for each customer every day.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mount Vernon Nazarene University and received his Ohio Certified Public Manager credential through The John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University. Scott and his family live in Grove City, Ohio.

Location

This event will be hosted at the Madison Concourse Hotel in Madison, WI. Rooms are available at the Madison Concourse Hotel at the discounted rate of $138 per night open now through Friday, May 15th or until sold out. 

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