State and Local Government Benefits Association

Benefit administrators, from State and Local Governments throughout the United States, were invited to New Orleans to attend a conference in 1981 addressing current issues involving benefits offered to public employees. The conference was organized by the Martin E. Segal Company and leaders from the State of Louisiana.

Benefit Administrators from the public sector attending the conference were very impressed by the timeliness and value of the information they received. Even more importantly, they understood the importance of meeting with their peers from around the country to discuss common issues. They decided to organize a second conference the following year in Chicago. The Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee was James McElveen from the State of Louisiana. He was given support from the Segal Company and benefit administrators from public entities across the country.

The Chicago conference was well attended and well received. Those attending the conference gave their approval to have public sector members meet during the year and create a constitution and by-laws for a new organization dedicated to benefit administration in the public sector.

In July of 1982 the following individuals met in Chicago and formed the State and Local Governments Benefits Association: James McElveen from the State of Louisiana, Linn Baker from the State of Utah, Jerry Burnett from the State of Mississippi, Tom McCracken from the State of New York, Jack Mullins from the State of South Carolina, and Norman Murphy from the City of Dallas Texas.

Since its inception SALGBA has held informative and eventful conferences in major cities all across the country. Its members are very loyal and have volunteered much of their time with the various committees that support SALGBA and its membership. Currently, SALGBA’s monthly newsletter contains timely articles addressing current benefit issues, as well as updates from our members as they develop new programs for their employees. Our partnership with Eastern Kentucky University allows us to have professional administrators work with us as we manage our organization. This partnership also allows us to offer a continuing education program that provides credit to be designated as a "Certified Government Benefits Administrator".

We encourage State and Local Government Benefit Administrators to take advantage of all the programs SALGBA has to offer.

Two founding members still involved with SALGBA are Linn Baker, retired from the State of Utah and Lee Hauser with Hauser & Associates.

Contributed by Linn Baker, Founding Member, Utah Public Employees' Health Program

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