Georgia’s cities rely on trusted partners to help protect their employees today while also preparing them for tomorrow. Through the Risk Management Employee Benefit Services (RMEBS), field representatives work directly with local governments to provide hands-on support in two critical areas: loss prevention and retirement planning.
While their focus areas may differ, their goal is the same—helping cities operate more effectively, reduce risk and support the long-term well-being of their workforce. From identifying workplace safety concerns to guiding employees through retirement benefits and planning, RMEBS field representatives serve as accessible, knowledgeable resources for city officials and staff across the state.
Learn more about who they are, what they do, and how they help cities build safer workplaces and stronger financial futures.
Meet the RMEBS Field Representatives
Griffin Attaberry, Public Safety Risk Consultant
Service Area: Southern Territory
What did you do before you became a public safety risk consultant with RMEBS?
Before joining RMEBS, I spent six years at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, where I supervised training for the vehicle operations section of the Georgia Police Academy Division. Prior to that, I dedicated 15 years to the Oconee County Sherriff’s Office.
How does your background help you serve cities in the territory you serve?
Drawing from my extensive experience in supervision management, training and policy creation and review, I am well-equipped to offer practical insights and real-world solutions to meet the unique needs of our members.
What is one common risk issue you see cities facing today?
A prevalent risk issue pertains to motor vehicle operations, particularly within public safety departments. Public safety personnel are on the road around the clock, navigating all weather and traffic conditions. These officers must respond to emergency calls, resulting in a higher exposure to risks compared to other city departments.
What’s one proactive step cities can take to improve loss prevention?
One proactive measure that cities can implement to enhance loss prevention is maintaining consistent accountability. This involves regularly monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of loss prevention strategies, ensuring that all departments and individuals are held responsible for their roles in mitigating risks. By establishing clear guidelines and expectations, cities can create a culture of accountability where everyone understands their responsibilities and the importance of adhering to established procedures. Additionally, periodic reviews and evaluations can help identify areas for improvement and ensure that any lapses in accountability are promptly addressed. This ongoing commitment to accountability not only helps in preventing losses but also fosters a sense of trust and reliability within the community.
What do you enjoy most about working with Georgia’s cities?
One of the aspects I enjoy most about working with Georgia’s cities is the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse range of communities. Each city has its unique challenges and characteristics, which makes every interaction both interesting and rewarding. I enjoy helping these communities implement effective public safety measures to create a positive impact on their citizens’ lives. Additionally, I appreciate the strong sense of community and partnership that exists within Georgia’s cities, which fosters a collaborative and supportive environment.
David Trotter, Law Enforcement Risk Consultant
Service Area: Northern Territory
What did you do before you became a law enforcement risk consultant with RMEBS?
I was a police officer with the city of Royston, Ga., and city of Toccoa, Ga. I served as a patrol officer and eventually a patrol sergeant. I was also a detective in the investigation division with Toccoa police.
How does your background help you serve cities in the territory you serve?
Training and experience. I have over 2,000 hours of training in law enforcement and have experienced many of the challenges facing law enforcement today. I am a Georgia P.O.S.T general, senior, firearms, EVOC, and defensive tactics instructor, and have been teaching law enforcement courses since 1993.
What is one question you’re most often asked about loss prevention?
There is not specifically one question; however, all desire to improve safety and protect their officers.
What do you enjoy most about working with Georgia’s cities?
I enjoy meeting with and working with law enforcement and cities throughout the state.
Vincent Scott, Risk Control Consultant
Service Area: Eastern Territory
What did you do before you became a risk control consultant with RMEBS?
Before joining GMA RMEBS in 2018, I worked in local and state government risk management and environmental safety roles, including serving as a Risk Manager for Henry County Government and holding positions with the City of Savannah, Georgia DNR, Augusta State University, and Augusta-Richmond County Government.
How does your background help you serve cities in the territory you serve?
My background provides firsthand knowledge of how cities operate on a day-to-day basis and the regulatory, operational, and budgetary challenges they face. Having worked within both local and state government environments, I understand the practical realities city officials encounter and can offer risk control guidance that is realistic, compliant, and tailored to municipal operations.
What are some common issues that you assist cities with?
I commonly assist cities with accident and injury prevention, loss control strategies, and regulatory compliance. This includes evaluating operations, identifying hazards, supporting safety committees, and helping cities reduce claim frequency and severity through proactive risk management practices.
What would you recommend city officials keep in mind when working with risk control?
City officials should view risk control as a collaborative resource rather than a compliance oversight. Open communication, leadership support, and a willingness to address identified risks are key to achieving meaningful safety improvements. Proactive engagement helps create safer workplaces and reduces long-term costs.
What do you enjoy the most about working with Georgia’s cities?
What I enjoy most is the opportunity to support the people who serve their communities every day. Working with Georgia’s cities allows me to help improve employee safety, strengthen operations, and contribute to the long-term success and resilience of local governments across the state.
Weston Cox, Risk Control Consultant
Service Area: Southern Territory
What did you do before you became a risk control consultant with RMEBS?
Prior to becoming a risk control consultant nearly five years ago, I worked as a property claims adjuster, where I assisted individuals during some of the most stressful times of their lives. I also previously served South Georgia as an insurance agent and worked as a client services associate at a local investment firm. Collectively, these experiences strengthened my ability to communicate effectively with insureds and professionals, educate individuals on coverage, prepare accurate property estimates, and deliver a high level of customer service.
How does your background help you serve cities in the territory you serve?
My background has equipped me with the ability to effectively review and analyze claims data to develop tailored solutions for each member. In my previous role as an adjuster, I typically became involved after a loss had already occurred, serving in a largely reactive capacity by helping insureds recover after their most valued assets were damaged or destroyed. Today, I have the opportunity to work more proactively by conducting in-depth reviews of losses with members and educating them on strategies to improve safety. I assist members in establishing, growing, and sustaining effective safety programs. While I greatly value the experience and skills I gained in my prior roles, I find working with local municipalities especially meaningful. I grew up in South Georgia, and it remains my home. Being able to partner with member cities to help reduce accidents and fatalities, while fostering safer and healthier work environments for employees, is deeply fulfilling. I am grateful for the opportunity to make a positive and lasting impact on our member cities across the state.
What are some common issues that you assist cities with?
Some members may not be fully aware of recurring claims issues within their cities, while others may recognize these challenges but be unsure where or how to begin addressing them. That is where I can provide support. Through the claims review process, we identify loss trends by examining recurring types of claims, the departments in which they occur, and, when applicable, patterns involving specific employees.
Once these trends are identified, we can pinpoint underlying issues and develop a targeted safety action plan to address them. This may include conducting additional in-house safety meetings, focusing on specific safety topics, providing department-specific training, or reviewing and updating policies and ensuring they are reinforced by leadership. Our role is to help members establish a safety program tailored to their unique needs—one that they can maintain internally over time. We then follow up periodically to assess progress, evaluate the effectiveness of the safety action plan, and adjust as needed.
What do you enjoy the most about working with Georgia’s cities?
One of the most rewarding aspects of working with cities across Georgia is building strong relationships with contacts in each of my member cities. I value the opportunity to get to know these professionals on a personal level while providing meaningful insight into how to create safer work environments for their employees. This collaborative approach is both professionally and personally fulfilling.
Josh Colley, Manager, Field Services
What did you do before you became a field services manager with RMEBS?
I have been with GMA for the past 7 years in various roles supporting the retirement department. I started off as a retirement analyst, before working as a senior analyst and retirement field services representative.
How does your background help you serve the cities and territories you serve?
One interesting aspect of our retirement program is that no city will have the same retirement plan. We have a variety of retirement plans across the state. My background in administration allows me to understand different aspects of retirement plans and work with cities to develop and administer a plan that is right for them.
What are some common issues that you assist cities with?
I offer help with employee education, so that employees are aware of the benefits that the cities are providing for their employees. I can also assist with administrative training, so that our cities know how to administer their plans effectively. I can also work with city officials and admirations for making amendments to their existing retirement plans or create retirement plans for cities that are looking to join our programs.
What do you enjoy the most about working with Georgia’s cities?
I have always enjoyed the genuine appreciation received from city staff and employees when I am able to assist with retirement benefits. From what I have learned, retirement is an exciting time, but it can also be a scary time for some since it is a major life change. Being able to assist employees with their understanding of their retirement plan and options can offer clarity in a time of change.
Randy Briskin, Retirement Field Services Representative
What did you do before you became a field services manager with RMEBS?
Before working with GMA, I was the retirement rep for a national company that specialized in governmental retirement accounts, and I worked with large cities and counties throughout Georgia.
How does your background help you serve the cities and territories you serve?
My 34 years in the financial industry has given me the experience to see the benefits of long-term investing and the ability to provide a reassuring perspective for newer employees, especially during stressful gyrations in the equity markets.
What are some common issues that you assist cities with?
Along with assisting in plan administration, my focus is to help cities increase the number of their employees who are taking advantage of the defined contribution plans offered (401a and 457b). Additionally, I meet directly with employees to assess how they are progressing towards their savings and retirement goals.
What do you enjoy the most about working with Georgia’s cities?
The most enjoyable part for me is explaining financial concepts in easy-to-understand examples and seeing the expressions of understanding on the faces of city employees.
A Trusted Resource for Cities
Whether focused on preventing workplace injuries or helping employees plan for retirement, RMEBS Field Representatives are committed to supporting Georgia’s cities through proactive guidance, education, and partnership.