Michael W. Simmons has been a human resources and risk management professional for the last 36 years. Mr. Simmons is currently the Vice President, Human Resources, Risk & Legal Services for WKS Restaurant Group based in Cypress, CA. In this role, Mr. Simmons is responsible for overseeing the human resources, risk management, claims, safety, and security mission for a large restaurant, multi-concept franchisee with 385+ restaurants in over 20 states. In his career, he has served in several human resources, risk management, safety, and claims leadership capacities in the public service, restaurant, retail, and insurance industries. His more notable past employers include the Riverside Community College District, the Automobile Club of Southern California, American Stores, Inc., Albertsons, Inc., Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse and El Pollo Loco, Inc. Mr. Simmons holds the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and RIMS Certified Risk Management Professional designations. Mr. Simmons holds double Master's degrees in Organizational Management and the Administration of Criminal Justice. He is also the past Chairman, President, and co-founder of the Foodservice Industry Risk Management Association (FIRMA) with over 1,500 members. Mr. Simmons' prior speaking events include the California Workers Compensation and Risk Conference, California Schools Risk Management Joint Powers Authority, California Workers Compensation Forum, Risk Insurance Management Society, and the National Restaurant Association.