A company has announced its intentions to hire for insurance jobs in Chicago.

Origami Risk, a provider of Risk Management Information System (RMIS), today announced the addition of two new people to the firm: Jason Franks, former National Director of Systems & Data Analytics for Willis North America, and Mary Culpepper, former Principal Consultant at CS STARS.

Robert Petrie, President of Origami Risk, commented: “Our industry-leading position is the result of seeking out the best talent in the industry and our ability as a private company to focus without distraction on the long-term needs of our customers.”

Origami Risk led the RMIS industry in most growth metrics in 2011. Software licenses under contract increased more than tenfold from 2010, and the number of employees tripled. Added Mr. Petrie: “We continue to see strong interest from the market for our award-winning RMIS technology, and for the unrivaled expertise delivered by our professionals like Jason Franks and Mary Culpepper.”

Mr. Franks, who joins the firm as Sales Director, is a 10-year industry veteran. He is responsible for business development and strategic broker alliances. Jason previously managed claims analytics consulting, RMIS relationships and RMIS selection with Willis North America. Jason also worked with HRH as a Claims Technology Manager where he oversaw the development of risk management and benchmarking programs.

A jet brokerage firm has created more sales jobs in Chicago via a new hire.

The Jet Collection has hired David Potter to sell aircraft.

According to his bio, Potter began his career as the Midwest Regional Sales Manager for Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation. In 1983, he joined Sabreliner Corporation as a member of its newly formed pre-owned business jet sales department.

There he specialized in the acquisition and sale of pre-owned jets in the United States, Mexico, South America and Europe.

“Dave is a great addition to our team — we’re excited to have him,” Jason Zilberbrand, Managing Partner, The Jet Collection. “His reputation, experience and South American contacts will help our business flourish drastically.”

Potter received his bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University. He is a commercial pilot and was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force where he served as a Forward Air Controller in Vietnam and then as a KC-135 aircraft commander.

Before Christmas a Milwaukee-based temporary staffing called Parallel Employment said it would be cutting several jobs in Chicago.

The company has laid off nearly 500 employees in Illinois and said it was due to the high cost of the state’s workers’ compensation system.

According to statistics provided in the 2010 annual report of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Illinois is one of the most expensive states for workers’ compensation insurance and medical costs.

Kirk La Du, executive vice president of operations, told the Chicago Tribune, “The only reason we are downsizing is competitive issues related to workers’ compensation. It seems foolish to us to continue operating in a state where workers’ comp made it difficult to make money.”

Parallel Employment provides labor assistance and job seekers to clients involved in light manufacturing and packaging. The company has closed branches in Chicago, Wheeling, Elgin and Crystal Lake

A law office is busy creating legal jobs in Chicago, according to its website.

The Law Offices of Steven J. Malman & Associates PC has hired several new paralegals and administrative staff.

It also brought on four new attorneys, making the total now seven attorneys.
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Women-owned businesses are creating Connecticut healthcare jobs. They are also responsible for creating jobs in many other states.

The number of U.S. businesses increased by 34 percent from 1997 to 2011, when women-owned firms grew by 50 percent – a rate 1½ times the national average. It’s clear that health care and social service fields have the highest concentration of women-owned firms, with 52 percent owned by women, according to the American Express OPEN State of Women-Owned Businesses Report, a Summary of Important Trends, 1997–2011.

An example of such a business is the Home Instead Senior Care network.

More than half of Home Instead Senior Care® franchises are owned all, or in part, by women, including the top five U.S. franchises.

Tim Connelly, director of Franchise Development for Home Instead, Inc., said he believes that women bring many valuable skills to home care franchising, including caring, compassion, organization and the ability to get people to work together. “What’s more, women are often viewed as the family caregivers, so they understand the needs and challenges of caring for others.”