Learn about Dendy's contributions to URMIA throughout his risk management career
Phillip Dendy Receives Organization's Fourth-Ever Larry V. Stephens Lifetime Achievement Award
Phillip B. Dendy was awarded the Larry V. Stephens Lifetime Achievement Award at URMIA's 2025 Annual Conference, which makes him only the fourth recipient of the organization's highest member recognition since its inception – the first awardee being to its namesake.
Dendy serves as the chief compliance and risk officer for the University of Texas System (UT System). In this role, he is responsible for the oversight and direction of three departments: the Office of Risk Management, the Office of Systemwide Compliance and the Office of Information Security. These departments provide comprehensive risk management services to the UT System consisisting of eight academic and six health institutions. He has more than 30 years in the risk management industry. Since joining the UT System in 1995, he served as associate director for workers compensation insurance, responsible for the administration of the UT System's self-insured workers’ compensation program. From 1999-2003, Dendy served as director of business administrative services which included the property and casualty insurance programs as well as facilities, accounting and purchasing, property management, travel, and airplane operations. Since 2003, he has served as the executive director of the Office of Risk Management, providing comprehensive services including risk analysis, risk control, risk financing, and claims management. He was appointed to his current position in July 2016. He earned the designation of Certified Risk Manager (CRM) and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) from the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research. In 2017, URMIA awarded him the Distinguished Risk Manager (DRM) award.
Dendy is a founder, former president, and chair of the board of directors of drops of grace inc, a non-profit faith-based organization partnering with organizations for water, health, hygiene, and community development projects in Malawi, Africa, and Nicaragua, and disaster recovery projects in the United States.
Dendy was recognized for his contributions to URMIA throughout his years of involvement in the organization as a volunteer, speaker, moderator, author, member, committee chair, and leader. He first joined URMIA in 1995 and we believe the 2006 Southern Regional Conference was his first URMIA conference. He co-chaired URMIA's 2006 Annual Conference in San Antonio.
"Phil also has an innovative streak about him, that allows for thinking outside the box and is always a guy to see that we "do the right thing" and get the job done and helped URMIA in early years in navigating our path to the success it is today. Phil has inspired several others to achieve their goals in risk management by always being available to those who were in or aspiring to be in new positions during their career. Phil has also provided leadership in setting up and hosting the Higher Education Risk Management Conference and that was offered as an URMIA regional conference last year," stated his award nominator.
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