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Norma Carabajal Essary leads the Risk Management Department at the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport (1,775 FT / budget: $640 million). At 18,076 acres, DFW is the third busiest airport (based on number of operations) and the sixth busiest (in terms of passenger volume) worldwide — handling 700,000 flights and 60 million passengers annually. Understanding the depth and horizon of Essary’s risk management responsibilities provides a picture of the challenges confronted daily at DFW. Implementing programs with a results-driven focus has provided both strong visibility and credibility to her programs. DFW was featured in Fortune magazine (September 2009), the 2009 Platinum Award recipient for “Worksite Innovation” awarded by the American Heart Association as a listed fit-friendly company, and the 2008 Champion In Health recipient. DFW was also the recipient of the Texas PRIMA 2008 Achievement Award for “Risk Management as An Enterprise Strategy.”An internal promotion made Essary vice president of Risk Management — which elevated the risk management function to a senior level role for the first time at DFW. Essary directs the strategic planning and execution of enterprise-wide risk management programs that affect the airport’s business and operations. She and her team coordinate the insurance coverage and manage claims involving property/casualty, disability, employment liability, fidelity and workers’ compensation, as well as safety and loss prevention programs that include fleet safety, drug testing, blood-borne pathogen, ergonomics, indoor air quality, noise testing, and safety sensitive and public safety physicals/vaccinations. She also directs the airport’s newly designed “integrated disability program,” which includes management of all the airport’s “leave” benefits such as short-term, long-term, family medical leave, and workers’ compensation injuries/illnesses. In 2008, DFW opened the doors for the airport’s first wellness center for employees and retirees; Essary directs both the airport’s Live Well program and its wellness center. The 14,000 sq. ft. facility includes an indoor half-basketball court, two racquetball courts, three indoor/four outdoor tennis courts, group exercise studio, three separate strength/cardio training rooms, separate shower/dressing facilities, and a future site for medical care opportunities. Initiatives that integrate areas of disability and incorporate opportunities for medical care management with tailored wellness programs have supported the mission to create a supportive work environment that educates, encourages and empowers employees to make lifestyle choices that optimize their health, well-being, safety and contribution to the airport and the community. Essary is a 1986 graduate of Texas State University and holds
both the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate
in Risk Previous Risk Manager of the Year award winners:
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 Norma Carabajal Essary, CPCU, ARM see also: Risk Management Associate of the Year (2009) Risk Management Program Achievement Awards (2009) |
