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State Insurance Fund Commissioner Tyree Retiring,
Deputy Commissioner, McCullar to take over as Commissioner
Oklahoma City, OK - On Tuesday, January 23, 2001, Commissioner
Terry Tyree announced his retirement from the State Insurance
Fund, effective March 1, 2001. The announcement came at the
monthly meeting of the Fund's Board of Managers and was immediately
followed by the appointment of Deputy Commissioner Terry McCullar to
fill that position upon Tyree's departure.
"Terry has effectively reorganized and overseen the Fund's internal
operations," said Richard Allen, chairman of the Fund's board of
managers. "Due to his efforts over the last few years, the Fund
has moved into a positive financial position and has kept workers'
compensation rates low for Oklahoma employers."
Allen also stated that the Fund, with the help of the legislature
assisted the financially troubled Multiple Injury Trust Fund (MITF)
and solved an enormous five-year problem for Oklahoma. More than
5,500 unpaid claims at the MITF were distributed to Oklahoma workers
with the help of the Fund.
"We deeply appreciate the 23 years of dedication Terry has given
to both the State Insurance Fund and the state of Oklahoma. All
of us wish him the best of luck in the future," Allen said.
Seen as a man who has brought about a significant amount of change
at the Fund, Tyree credits the current success of the Fund to the
employees and their efforts. "The reason for the overall success
of the Fund really has been through the efforts of our employees
from the file clerks on up," Tyree said.
Tyree and McCullar have both worked hard with the help of the Fund's
board of managers to improve service to the Fund's policyholders.
Tyree began his career at the Fund in 1977. Working his way up
through the ranks, he was officially appointed Commissioner in
1996. McCullar, who is currently serving as Deputy Commissioner,
began his career with the Fund in July, 1994, as Director of Internal
Audit and Special Investigations.
"I am looking forward to the new challenges and hope to continue
the success that the Fund has experienced over the last several
years," McCullar said. "I look forward to leading the Fund into
a new era of public awareness and accomplishment."
Currently, the Fund is the largest workers' compensation insurance
carrier in the state, writing approximately 30 percent of all
workers' compensation coverage in Oklahoma. More than 50 percent
of the Fund's approximate 20,000 policyholders are small businesses
that depend on the Fund to provide them workers' compensation
coverage at reasonable rates.
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