The California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (California JPIA) recognizes Senior Risk Manager Abraham Han, who celebrated his 10th anniversary with the Authority in November 2025.
“Abe has had a significant impact on the organization over the last 10 years,” said California JPIA Risk Services Director Alex Mellor. “His can-do attitude and thoughtful approach to solving problems have allowed him to succeed in each of his roles with the Authority.”
Han joined the California JPIA in 2015 as an administrative analyst after working for several cities across Orange and Los Angeles counties, including Villa Park, Garden Grove, and La Habra Heights. His path to the Authority began with an email exchange that left a lasting impression.
“While working at the City of La Habra Heights, I was responsible for reaching out to the California JPIA to coordinate an in-person training,” said Han. “I received an email response back from Michelle Aguayo within five minutes. At the time, I remembered thinking that if Michelle was a representation of its staff, then the California JPIA must be a world-class organization.”
A few years later, when Han saw a job posting for an administrative analyst position, that interaction stuck with him. “I was immediately reminded of my previous positive interaction with Michelle, so I decided that if I were qualified for the position, then I would apply,” said Han. “I did, and the rest is history.”
Over the past decade, Han has progressed from administrative analyst to management analyst to senior risk manager, a role he was promoted to in early 2024. He now supports training, risk management, claims, and finance activities for members in Imperial, Riverside, and San Diego counties. “My roles have changed, but my personal mission has not,” said Han. “I want our members to know that I strive to be the very best resource to them as possible, and to be an assuring voice if they ever need help.”
Han’s approach is straightforward: “Be kind, be valuable, be consistent,” said Han. “Although risk management issues can be challenging and complex, my goal is for my meetings to be supportive and personable.”
Throughout his tenure, Han has managed programs assisting members with sidewalk maintenance, risk technician assignments, fire and law enforcement policy manuals, ADA assistance and financing programs, and contractual risk transfer trainings. “I get so much joy out of a member saying that they enjoyed contractual risk transfer training,” said Han. “It’s a loaded topic, so I take great pride in having members personally tell me that a two-hour training was worth their time.”
Han credits his growth to the support of colleagues across the Authority. “Whenever I help a member successfully navigate a risk management matter, it is because of the constant support and encouragement of my colleagues,” he said. “It was clear from my first day at the Authority that one’s success is the team’s success, and the team’s success is one’s success.”
“Abe serves as a role model throughout the Authority. He demonstrates leadership through his efficient and effective completion of assigned tasks, while consistently treating colleagues with respect and kindness,” said Mellor. “Abe is an invaluable part of the risk management team and has quickly become a trusted advisor to members.”
“I cannot emphasize enough how grateful I am to my supervisors, both past and present, CEOs, both past and present, and all of my colleagues,” said Han. “Their support and encouragement have helped me to grow tremendously. I am also grateful to my members in Region 4 for being excellent collaborators, but more importantly, incredible human beings.”
About California JPIA
Providing innovative risk management solutions for its public agency partners for more than 45 years, the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (California JPIA) is one of the largest municipal self-insurance pools in the state, with more than 125 member cities and other governmental agencies. Members actively participate in shaping the organization to provide important coverage for their operations. The California JPIA provides innovative risk management solutions through a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services, including liability, workers’ compensation, pollution, property, and earthquake coverage, as well as extensive training and loss control services. For more information, please visit the California JPIA’s website at cjpia.org.