Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Madison, Wis. -- Gregory C. Krohm, the state’s Workers Compensation Division administrator since 1993, will resign that position to start his own business.

Linda Stewart, Secretary of the State Workforce Development Department for whom Krohm worked, said the change would be effective sometime in mid-January. The exact date will be determined soon, she said.

"The Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation system enjoys an excellent reputation among its peer organizations in the U.S, and internationally," Stewart said. "Throughout the world, Wisconsin’s WC system has a reputation for being low cost and very efficiently administered, and Greg has been a major reason why."

"We value highly his contributions while he was with us, and are sorry to see him go. We certainly wish him well as he begins a new career."

Krohm said he was most pleased during his tenure with the service improvements made possible by the use of new technologies.

He said he also was proud of the development and use of alternative dispute-resolution processes "to ease frictions and delays on claims payments," supporting the achievements of the state’s Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council, and upgrading the research and public information functions of the division.

Krohm said the WC system remains strong as he leaves. "Our average worker’s compensation premiums that employers pay are in the ‘bottom 10 per cent’ (least costly) in the nation. Our administrative costs are near the lowest in the nation per worker or per claim processed. Our average cost of claims is the lowest in the nation. We speed injured workers back to work relatively quickly. Most importantly, great progress has been made in workplace safety."

Krohm was appointed by Gov. Tommy Thompson and began his current job in December, 1993.

Before joining the Division, which then was part of the old Industry, Labor and Human Relations Department, Krohm was deputy state insurance commissioner.

Krohm said he will continue teaching at the University of Wisconsin School of Business and serving as editor of the Journal of Insurance Regulation. In his new venture, he will provide research, writing and education services to business and trade groups, primarily in the insurance industry. He also will continue to advise clients on insurance and health care financing issues.

No successor has been announced.