Staff Profiles
Risk Management & Insurance Accounting

Michael Forster
Director, Risk Management Services

Mike oversees all administrative, financial and regulatory aspects of the League’s casualty and workers’ compensation insurance programs. He is responsible for implementing the policies of the insurance program governing boards and for reporting operating results to the Pool and Fund boards and members. Mike has been with the League since 1990. Previous to his appointment as Director in 2004, he held the positions of Claim Manager and Assistant Director of Risk Management. Mike also spent eight years with a national insurance carrier as a multi-line claims supervisor.

Lawrence D. Peck
Risk Manager

Larry joined the League in 2002, becoming the third Risk Manager in 20 years. Larry has primary responsibility for reinsurance placement, underwriting and actuarial review. Larry began his career in insurance as a loss control consultant. He moved to the University of Michigan’s Risk Management Department in 1988. His responsibilities were the underwriting administration of the University’s self‑insurance programs and advocating improvements to minimize loss potential. Larry developed a Risk Management department at an entrepreneurial venture in Ann Arbor to help small business with insurance programs.

Thomas J. Wolff
Claim Manager

Tom has been with the Risk Management Division since 2004. He is responsible for managing all aspects of the Liability Pool and Workers’ Compensation Fund claims function. He oversees claims staff and works closely with reinsurers and legal defense counsel. Tom is also directly involved in claims that represent significant exposure to the Pool. Tom has been in claims since 1993. He holds a BS in business economics and public policy from Indiana University Bloomington, and an MA in linguistics from Wayne State University. Tom has previously taught linguistics classes at Wayne State. In addition, he has completed eight of the CPCU examinations.

Jennifer Appleberry
Risk Management Coordinator

Jennifer joined the League in 2018 and manages the insurance areas of the League’s website and other Risk communications. She coordinates publication of the Law Enforcement Action Forum’s quarterly newsletter and Risk Control Manual. Jennifer is responsible for developing new data analytics, organizing state regulatory filings and audit activity, and tracking loss control services. She previously managed all aspects of liability and property insurance for ten years at a nonprofit organization in Los Angeles. Jennifer has a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.A. from the University of Southern California.

Mariha Foor
Risk Management Associate

Mariha joined the Michigan Municipal League in 2006. Her primary responsibilities are coordination of the Workers’ Compensation Fund and Liability & Property Pool board member elections, planning and coordinating logistics for quarterly insurance board meetings, and organization and preparation of board meeting materials. Mariha has a Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Assisting from Eastern Michigan University.

Insurance Accounting Staff

Deborah Walton-Medley
Director, Financial Operations

Deborah has worked in the insurance industry since 1985. She is responsible for overseeing the insurance accounting functions of the Workers’ Compensation Fund and the Liability & Property Pool. Prior to joining the League in 1990, she worked as an auditor/regulator for the Michigan Insurance Bureau. She earned a BA in Accounting from Michigan State University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Shelly Shields, CPA
Director, Insurance Accounting

Shelly joined the League in 2021 after seven years in public accounting as an auditor specializing in the insurance industry, including insurance pools. She is responsible for overseeing the financial reporting of the Liability & Property Pool and Workers’ Compensation Fund in a manner that is accurate, efficient, clear, and concise. Shelly earned a BA in Accounting from Michigan State University and an MA in Accounting with a specialization in Finance from Walsh College.

Diane Thompson, Insurance Accounting Manager

Diane joined the League in October 2022, having previously managed insurance accounting for self-insured school pools. Diane’s primary responsibility is to oversee the financial integrity of the source documents used in reports generated by the third party administrator for the Workers’ Compensation Fund and Liability & Property Pool. Other responsibilities include preparation of financial statements for the Pool and in-depth reviews of Fund financial statements. She is also responsible for providing reinsurance billings and updates to reinsurers and handling financial audits for both programs. Diane earned a BBA in Business Management from Cleary University and an MSA in General Administration from Central Michigan University.”

Darnice Black
Accounting Technician

Darnice joined the Michigan Municipal League Finance Division in 2000. Her primary responsibilities include reconciling Workers’ Compensation policy premium accounts and preparing financial statements for the Workers’ Compensation Fund (WC Fund). She is also responsible for the accounts receivable and accounts payable functions for both the WC Fund and the Liability & Property Pool. Darnice has worked in accounting for over 25 years. She has a dual Associate Degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Washtenaw College.