2017 PRIMEX3 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Speaker and Presenter Biographies
Robyn Benincasa
Robyn Benincasa is the founder of World Class Teams, a world champion adventure racer, a CNN
Hero, former corporate sales expert and a full time firefighter who advises organizations on building
World Class Teams of their own. One of the highest rated female speakers who regularly shares the
stage with world leaders and business icons, her customers include many Fortune companies like
Starbucks, Deloitte, Aflac, Fast Company, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, ARAMARK, Siemens, 3M, Coldwell
Banker, Ameriprise, Microsoft & AT&T. With a background in marketing, she was previously in corporate
sales with Baxter and Allergan and is currently a full-time firefighter. World Champion Eco-Challenge
Adventure Racer, CNN Hero, Founder of the Project Athena Foundation (Survivors to Athletes!), 3x
Guinness World Record Distance Paddler and proud owner of 2 metal ‘bionic hips’, Robyn definitely
knows a thing or two about creating Human Synergy – “that magic that allows groups of ordinary
people to accomplish extraordinary things together.” Her New York Times best-selling book How
Winning Works, published by Harlequin has been reviewed as “an excellent resource for all business
owners on approaching challenges with a team mentality.”
For the last 20 years, she and her teammates have been competing at the front of the pack in the most
unique and compelling classrooms on earth – the jungles of Borneo, the Himalayan peaks of Tibet,
the rivers of Fiji, the rainforests of Ecuador and the desert of Namibia – studying the good, the bad,
and the not-so-pretty in extreme teamwork and mastering the skills required to inspire a group of
semi-exhausted people through a seemingly endless series of checkpoints, in pursuit of a seemingly
impossible goal, working against crazy deadlines, in constantly changing conditions and all in pursuit
of a huge hairy audacious goal. Sounds a lot like your life as a public sector leader, right?
It is through these harrowing, life affirming and often hilarious experiences in the world’s most
grueling challenges that she has emerged with her refreshing and truly unique perspective on what it
takes to build the kind of World Class Teams that succeed against all odds, that triumph in the face of
adversity and that win as one in times of great challenge and change.
This is, after all, who she is and what she does: Robyn Benincasa inspires people to grab life with one
hand, grab their teammates with the other, and to create that special magic that makes all of us better
together than we ever would have been alone!
Hon. John T. Broderick Jr.
Judge Broderick was Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme for seven years and served on the
Court from 1995-2010. During his time on the Court, his family walked through the valley of mental
illness in a very public way but survived and healed. Last year he agreed to co-chair the first statewide
launch in New Hampshire of a national mental health awareness campaign called Change Direction.
Samantha D. Elliott
Samantha Elliott is the president of the law firm Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell and is also a member
of the firm’s litigation team. Samantha has successfully represented municipal clients in litigation,
trials, and appeals in every New Hampshire state court, the United States District Court for the
District of New Hampshire, and the First Circuit Court of Appeals. Samantha is selected for inclusion
in The Best Lawyers in America® in the area of Commercial Litigation, and is named to the 2016 New
England Super Lawyers® Rising Stars® list for General Litigation. She is a member of the boards of
New Hampshire Legal Assistance and the Legal Advice and Referral Center and currently serves as the
president for both organizations. Samantha serves as the lawyer representative on the New Hampshire
Court Accreditation Commission and serves on the Federal Court Advisory Committee. She is also a
member of the Tri-State Defense Lawyers Association and the Defense Research Institute.
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2017 PRIMEX3 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Speaker and Presenter Biographies
Michael G. Fann, ARM-P, MBA
Fann has more than 25 years’ experience in providing risk management consulting and training
for local governments, school systems, universities, state governments, and associations. He is an
award-winning author and speaker, working with clients and audiences from Maine to California,
from Florida to Washington. A former 2-time member of the Board of Directors of the Public Risk
Management Association (PRIMA), he also has served on the Board of Directors of the Public Entity
Risk Institute (PERI), based in Alexandria, Virginia. In 2014, he was presented with the Public Risk
Management Association’s highest honor as the 11th recipient of its Distinguished Service Award.
He has also received the Southeast Loss Control (SELC) Group’s Distinguished Service Award (2016),
TnPRIMA’s Abbie Hudgens Distinguished Service Award (2012), the National League of Cities’ John
G. Stutz Award (2010), Public Risk Magazine’s Author of the Year Award (2011), and the University of
Tennessee Institute for Public Service’s Project of the Year Award (2004).
Debra Weiss Ford
Debra Weiss Ford is Office Managing Principal and Litigation Manager of the Portsmouth, New
Hampshire, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She has over 30 years of experience representing employers
in litigation matters before the state and federal courts and administrative agencies.
Ms. Ford trains frequently in New England on issues related to employment law, including
discrimination, wrongful discharge, reductions in force, termination issues, wage and hour issues,
proper documentation, leaves of absence, and Title IX compliance. She regularly advises clients on
employment-related matters.
Ty Gagne
Ty has held executive positions in the municipal (law enforcement), non-profit, and healthcare
sectors, and was a two-term school board member. Ty holds a Master of Public Administration
from the University of New Hampshire and a Bachelor of Science from Granite State College. Ty is
a member of the Leadership NH Class of 2013, and is the co-founder of Leadership Central NH. Ty
completed the program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University’s
Kennedy School of Government. He holds the Associate in Risk Pool Management (ARPM) and the
Associate in Risk Management for Public Entities (ARM-P) designations. Ty serves on the non-profit
boards of Racing 4 Valor, First Star Tonight, and Androscoggin Valley Search & Rescue where he is
also a team member. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder, and a wilderness medical/survival
instructor for Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO) based in North Conway.
Peter Gordon
Peter Gordon has almost 30 years’ experience in the field of corporate education, with a focus
on adult learning strategies, leadership, and communications skills. He conducts workshops and
executive coaching on effective business writing at major corporations and organizations across the
US. He has delivered programs at such companies as Visa, Intel, Disney, Merrill Lynch, Deloitte, and
Merck. Peter lives in Portland, ME, where in his spare time he enjoys cycling, hiking, and skiing.
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2017 PRIMEX3 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Speaker and Presenter Biographies
Gerri King, Ph.D.
Gerri King, Ph.D., social psychologist and organizational consultant, works with educational,
healthcare, corporate, industrial, non-profit, and governmental clients throughout the United States
and abroad. Gerri is also a facilitator and keynote speaker who presents at numerous multinational,
national, and regional conferences and seminars throughout the year. Dr. King’s expertise includes
a wide range of topics such as supervisory skills, team building, resolving conflicts through effective
communication, motivating workforces, presentation & facilitation skills, the dynamics of change,
strategic planning, why people avoid success, and the changing role of leadership in the 21st
century. Gerri facilitates staff and executive retreats, departmental and cross-departmental conflict
resolution efforts, mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning sessions, and mission & vision
development. She is a founding partner and President of the consulting and counseling firm Human
Dynamics Associates, Inc. of Concord NH and the author of The Duh! Book of Management and
Supervision: Dispelling Common Leadership Myths.
David Lee
David Lee helps employers improve employee engagement, employee performance, and customer
service through his work as a consultant, trainer, and coach. He is an internationally recognized
authority on organizational and managerial practices that optimize employee performance. David
is the author of Powerful Storytelling Techniques, Managing Employee Stress and Safety, and nearly
100 articles and book chapters on employee and organizational performance that have been
published in North America, Europe, India, Australia, and China. The second edition of the business
classic The Talent Management Handbook has a chapter of his on onboarding. In addition to his
own work with both high performing and struggling organizations, David Lee draws from a broad
range of disciplines, including neuroscience, stress research, accelerated learning, organizational
development, evolutionary psychology, anthropology, and peak performance technologies. Much
of his work involves synthesizing scientific research on human nature and then translating these
principles into practical strategies for optimizing individual and organizational performance.
Andrew Livernois
Andrew Livernois, Partner, Ransmeier & Spellman P.C.
Andrew is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Group, where his practice focuses on employment law,
criminal law, civil rights law, personal injury, and municipal and county liability. He brings to the
firm over fifteen years of experience as a trial attorney, having appeared regularly in State and
Federal Courts. A former prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and Assistant
Attorney General for the State of New Hampshire, Andrew has extensive experience in dealing
with employment disputes, including cases brought under the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as gender and race discrimination claims brought under Title VII. In
addition to frequently appearing in the state and federal trial courts, Andrew has significant appellate
experience, having argued over a dozen times in the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and five times
before the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, in Boston.
A graduate of the Yale Law School, Andrew resides in Concord.
Dianne Mercier
Since 2009, Mercier has served as People’s United Bank President for New Hampshire. Dianne’s
banking career began in New Hampshire in 1985, holding various positions in both regional and
commercial banking. Dianne has received several awards including the 2016 Daniel Webster Council
Distinguished Citizen of the Year, 2015 #5 Women Led Business, NH Business Magazine, 2014 NH
Business Magazine Business Leader of the Year, 2014 Top Influencer Index, NH Business Magazine and
others. Dianne lives in Manchester, NH, with her husband, John, and they have two grown children
and two granddaughters.
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2017 PRIMEX3 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Speaker and Presenter Biographies
Steve Norton
Steve Norton is the Executive Director of the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies,
a private non-profit and non-partisan think tank whose mission is to enhance and enrich the
policy conversations on issues of critical importance to New Hampshire’s future. In addition to his
many speaking engagements and research projects, he has also served as an adjunct professor at
the University of New Hampshire. Prior to joining the Center in 2005, Steve worked for the New
Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, most recently as the State’s Medicaid
director. Between 1990 and 1998, Steve worked as a Research Associate at the Urban Institute in
Washington DC where he conducted health services research. Steve and the Center were presented
with the Cotton Mather Cleveland Leadership Award in 2016, given to a graduate and/or supporting
organization of the Leadership New Hampshire program whose professional and community
activities best exemplify the goals and aspirations of the organization. Steve was identified in 2012
and 2013 as one of NH’s most influential policy makers by Business NH magazine, and selected as
one of New Hampshire’s 25 up and coming leaders in 2008. He is the former President of the Board of
Directors of the New Hampshire Center for Non-Profits, a former board member with Onpoint Health
Data and currently sits on the Federal Reserve Board’s New England Public Policy Advisory board and
the Concord, NH Zoning Board.
Robert Robicsek, AIA, NCARB
Bob is the leader of Lavallee Brensinger Architect’s Civic and Municipal studio. He has directed the
planning and design of a variety of large, complex projects including Public Safety, Administration,
Fleet, DPW, and Municipal Support facilities. With over 35 years of national architectural design
experience; he is very familiar with user needs analysis, programming, space planning, building
evaluation analysis, project scope definition, budget review, life safety code issues, and the
management of design and construction phased services. He is exceptionally skilled at leading
a diverse group of stake holders and user groups to consensus. Bob is equally well versed in the
restoration, renovation, and adaptive re-use of historically significant structures.
Curt Steinhorst
Curt Steinhorst is on a mission to help today’s workforce win the battle against digital distractions.
Having spent years studying the impact of tech on human behavior, he now equips professionals
across the world to work smarter and stronger in this constantly-connected age. As a leading voice
on strategic communications in the age of distraction, Curt speaks on average more than 90 times
a year. His clients range from more than ten companies on the Fortune 100 and global leadership
associations such as YPO, EO, and Million Dollar Roundtable, to professional sports teams and even
Taylor Swift’s record label. As a business owner, entrepreneur, and founder of FocusWise, Curt sees
how poor focus impacts today’s workplace and its leaders. Curt’s fascination with distraction is not
simply professional. Diagnosed with ADD as a child, he’s worked tirelessly to overcome the unique
distractions that today’s technology creates. As a father, Curt understands how profoundly digital
connectivity is transforming people of every age. Discovering a rare gift for capturing the attention
of large audiences at an early age, Curt was elected President of his 10,000 member class at Texas
A&M University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. His personal experiences serving as a
speaking coach and speech writer for top performers, from executives, TV personalities, and TED Talk
presenters, to NFL hall of famers, Olympic gold medalists, and the Heisman Trophy winner, make him
a powerful and entertaining communicator. He is currently working on his first book.
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2017 PRIMEX3 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Speaker and Presenter Biographies
Craig Taylor
Craig Taylor is a 25-year veteran of Cyber Security who has worked for multiple fortune 500
companies in cyber-security leadership positions including Computer Sciences Corporation,
Vistaprint, and Chase Paymentech. Craig is the Chief Information Security Officer of Neoscope and a
virtual CISO for more than 20 New England companies. He writes regular blog, NHBR, and newsletter
cyber-security articles, is an accomplished public speaker who regularly speaks to NE businesses on
cyber-security related topics. Craig holds a number of certifications in Cyber Security including his
CISSP since 2001 and is a member of international ISSA and ISC2 security groups.
Carl Weber
Carl is responsible for member account development, member growth, stability forecasts, strategic
positioning, and management of the Member Services Department. Carl has worked in local
government for more than ten years, most recently as the Town Administrator of Amherst, NH. Once
upon a time he was a search-and-rescue swimmer for the US Navy. Carl holds Bachelors’ Degrees
in Political Science and Community Development and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy. Carl is a
Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst (CPBA) and Certified Professional Values Analyst (CPVA). He
regularly teaches on human factors and the relationship of behavior and leadership styles, as well as
motivation, coaching, leadership challenges, team building, and failing as a leader.
Lance Whitehead
Lance has 17 years specializing in the design of educational environments, educational
programming, long range planning and complex implementation. He is creative and passionate
about education and design, with a strong belief that beautiful, enlightened, educational
environments are critical to the purpose they serve. Lance is a thoughtful listener and someone who
easily engages faculty, staff, and constituents. Lance holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from
Oklahoma State University.
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2017 PRIMEX3 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Primex3 Staff Biographies for “Hollywood Squares”
Rick Alpers
Rick Alpers, Member Services Consultant, is a graduate of Plymouth State University with a Bachelor’s
Degree in Public Management and a minor in history. Prior to joining the Primex3 team, he was a
former Town Administrator and is a current member of the Board of Selectmen in Bristol, NH. In his
current role as Member Services Consultant, Rick is responsible for providing exceptional customer
service to Primex3 members. In that capacity, he conducts regular on-site visits and is the primary
contact to answer questions on coverages, programs, and human resources training. He also assists
members in various HR needs when called upon, specifically recruitment and selection of a new
employee, team building, conflict resolution and behavior assessments.
David Bullock
David Bullock serves as the Unemployment Consultant for Primex3, providing advocacy and
representation for members at the New Hampshire Department of Employment Security. David is
an AmeriCorps alum who served as a literacy and academic tutor for at-risk students in Nashua and
Manchester with City Year New Hampshire and PlusTime New Hampshire. David most recently worked
as an Anti-Discrimination Investigator for the NH Commission for Human Rights, the state agency
charged with enforcing the state civil rights law in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
David graduated from Ohio University receiving a BA in English and History in 2006 and from the
University of New Hampshire receiving a Master’s Degree in Public Administration in 2009.
Tammy Denver
Tammy is the Director of Claims & Coverage Programs. She joined Primex3 as claims consultant in May
2000, bringing with her comprehensive experience in the investigation of both workers’ compensation
and casualty claims. She has developed special expertise in handling public entity losses and claims,
and has more than 24 years experience handling multi-line and workers’ compensation claims. She is a
graduate of Quincy (MA) Junior College with extensive coursework at the University of New Hampshire
in civil litigation, attained her Associate in Claims (AIC) and recently received her SCLA designation.
John Eule
John Eule is a Claims Representative, handling auto and property claims for members throughout the
state. He joined Primex3 in 2014 and has over twenty-five years of claims handling, including experience
with excess claims for public entities. He has received his Associate in Claims and has a certificate in
Risk Management for Public Entities. He is a graduate from the University of Colorado. He enjoys hiking
with his wife and fly fishing.
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2017 PRIMEX3 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Primex3 Staff Biographies for “Hollywood Squares”
Carol Kilmister, SPHR
Carol is a Human Resource Consultant in the Education and Training Department. Carol was most
recently employed as the Director of Human Resources for School Administrative Unit #19 in Goffstown,
NH since 2000. Prior to that, she worked for the NH Department of Education as their Public Information
Officer. She is a graduate of Rivier College with a Master of Science degree in Human Resource
Administration and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration
in Marketing and a minor in Psychology from Plymouth State University. In addition, she holds national
certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). She serves on the board of directors
for the Association of New Hampshire Public Employer Human Resource Administrators (ANHPEHRA)
and is on the Artist in Residence committee in her local community.
Mary Beth Purcell
Mary Beth Purcell is a Senior Claims Consultant handling property and liability claims and coverage
questions. She joined Primex3 in August 2002 after working for a commercial carrier for ten years.
She has developed special expertise in handling public entity losses and claims. Mary Beth attained
her Associate in Claims and recently received her Senior Claims Law Associate. She is a graduate of
Merrimack College. When Mary Beth is not working, she and her husband enjoy watching their three
children participate in sports.
Mike Ricker, Esq.
Mike Ricker, General Counsel for Primex3, provides legal counsel, claims mitigation, education and
training, and legal loss prevention services for Primex3. Mike’s legal background includes state and
federal civil litigation, trials, appeals and mediation, government defense, business law and contracts,
employment practices, and medical malpractice defense. Prior to joining Primex3 , Mike owned and
operated a busy general law practice on the seacoast. He also worked as a litigation attorney at Devine,
Millimet & Branch, an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New Hampshire, a judicial law clerk in
the New Hampshire Supreme Court with Justice Sherman Horton, and a judicial law clerk for the New
Hampshire Superior Court. Mike served on the New England Law Review editorial staff, was a legal
writing and research advisor in law school, a legal writing instructor for associates at Devine, Millimet &
Branch, and an honors program judicial intern for Judge Steven McAuliffe at the Federal District Court
in Concord. Mike is a member of the State, Federal, First Circuit and United States Supreme Court Bar
Associations, the Association of Corporate Counsel, and the Labor & Employment Law Section of the
NH Bar Association. Mike received his BA in History from UNH and his Juris Doctorate with honors from
New England Law-Boston. He is currently a Master’s degree candidate in the Management program at
Harvard University Extension School and a member of the Leadership Seacoast Class of 2015.
Kate Spillane, Esq.
Kate is a Staff Attorney at Primex3, providing guidance and training on employment and workplace
legal concerns to our members as part of the Legal and HR Services team. Prior to joining Primex3, Kate
worked extensively in civil litigation, with a focus on workers’ compensation, personal injury, unemployment compensation, municipal liability, and employment law. In her litigation role, Kate successfully worked with Primex3 members and claims staff in a wide variety of legal matters. We’re very
pleased and excited to be able to bring Kate’s expertise and perspective to all of our members through
an in-house legal position that will provide support to our existing and future services. Kate earned her
Juris Doctor from Roger Williams University School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from
the University of New Hampshire.
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2017 PRIMEX3 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Primex3 Staff Biographies for “Hollywood Squares”
Phil St. Cyr
Phil St. Cyr, Risk Management Services Consultant, works primarily with Primex3 municipalities and
county members to address their risk management, consulting and training needs. Prior to joining
Primex3, Phil retired at the rank of Lieutenant from the City of Manchester Fire Department after 25
years of service. He was also the Director of Emergency Services for the Greater Manchester Chapter
of the American Red Cross. Phil is a certified instructor and former member of the American Red Cross
National Disaster Response Team and is a current member of the American Society of Safety Engineers.
He holds an A.A.S. degree from NH Technical College in Manchester; is certified in N.I.M.S. (National
Incident Management Systems) and E.O.C. (Emergency Operations Center) management. He has an
extensive background in Hazardous Materials, Fire Prevention & Safety and Emergency Management
& Disaster Planning. Phil has served on numerous local, state and regional planning committees,
developing response plans to terrorist threats, natural and manmade disasters,
and potential epidemic/pandemic outbreaks.
Dave Witham
Dave Witham, Risk Management Supervisor, has been with Primex3 for over 25 years. David holds a
Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Safety from Keene State College and holds a Certified Risk
Manager (CRM) designation though the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research. David
is currently an At-Large City Councilor in the City of Somersworth and is the Council’s designee to the
City’s Planning Board. Dave has chaired the City’s Charter Review Commission and served for more than
24 years as a call firefighter and call department crew chief. When not working, David enjoys umpiring
baseball at all levels, something he has done for more than 30 years, coaching youth soccer and hockey,
and closely following the UNH Wildcat Hockey program.
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