Canadian Joe Restoule inaugurated as RIMS president

Joe Restoule was inaugurated as the president of the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) on Jan. 8 at a reception at the Harvard Club in New York City.
Restoule discarded his hidden, prepared notes and gave a heartfelt thanks to fellow RIMS board members, especially immediate past-president Janice Ochenkowski.
“She has been a mentor, a coach and a wonderful friend over the past year,” he said. “She rallied the team around her, showed unwavering dedication to the elevation of the society and has been a true leader.”
Restoule noted Ochenkowski’s achievements over her term, including the development of a risk management maturity model, several professional development initiatives, the launch of a virtual conference and her work to reach out to and work with international risk management associations in Japan, Europe, Latin America and Australia.
Commenting on the coming year, Restoule noted the economic turmoil and the challenges it will create, but remained optimistic.
“We as risk managers are a community that is not afraid of change and innovation,” he said. “I have utmost faith that 2009 will end with a resounding economic recovery.”
In the process, he continued, the value of the risk management profession will become more evident than ever, continuing to elevate the profession.