Who should the Division of Workers’ Compensation (Division) thank for the painstaking task of verifying the mathematical accuracy of the dollar amounts set forth in the awards? To whom should the Division extend its gratitude for entering and mailing the awards to the parties, coordinating with all adjudication offices, making copies of the records for the Labor & Industrial Relations Commission (LIRC) on cases that are appealed? Today the Division extends its appreciation and gratitude to Naomi Pearson.

Naomi joined the Division in 1978 and is rapidly approaching thirty years of dedicated service to the State of Missouri. Naomi works in the Division’s Central Office as a Senior Office Support Assistant and her work station is right outside the Division Director’s office.

Naomi hails from California, Missouri. She states she must enjoy and love her job as she comes in to work some mornings at 6:30 a.m. depending on how many awards the administrative law judges have sent in, files that the LIRC requests and correspondence that needs to be mailed out.

Naomi takes her responsibilities very seriously and cringes at the thought of being off work as she does not know how her desk will look when she returns. She is conscientious, hard-working, dependable, loyal and friendly. Naomi is also happy-go-lucky, takes things in her stride and is not known to overtly complain about being buried under huge mounds of paper. She belongs to the class of State employees who has a trolley to assist with the movement of files. So you can imagine the voluminous files that Naomi carts around.

Aside from having exclusive “mailing rights” over the awards, Naomi also sends out the yearly letters to the employees or dependents who have been awarded permanent total disability or death benefits. Naomi also assists with the medical fee dispute awards.

Naomi states that she looks forward to one of life’s most enjoyable events, her daughter’s marriage next year. Naomi states she will shop till she drops; however, she will not be utilizing the trolley for this happy occasion.

Chief Administrative Law Judge Hannelore Fischer with the Jefferson City Adjudication Office said the following: “Naomi’s gentle and pleasant manner disguises the mindset of an IRS agent; it is not until an award passes her scrutinizing review of every mathematical calculation that it is shipped out. Naomi may 'shop till she drops' but you can bet that her checkbook remains balanced to the penny.”

Pam Hofmann, secretary to the LIRC, provided the following comments: “In addition to Naomi’s duties at the Division, she also serves as the liaison between the Division and the LIRC. In order for the LIRC to review workers’ compensation cases, the files are requested from the Division. The LIRC receives an average of 400 applications for review of administrative law judges’ awards every year. These files, in addition to files requested for modifications and settlements, are transferred to and from the LIRC through Naomi. Naomi performs these duties in a highly efficient manner. Naomi’s knowledge of the workers’ compensation system and her helpful nature are an invaluable asset to the Department. The LIRC commends Naomi for her work ethic, pleasant attitude, and the assistance she provides the LIRC.”

Thank you, Naomi, for all your hard work and service.